Military

Veteran artists, writers reflect on the impact of the military at the Cheuse Center International Writers Festival

Katarina Benson — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 20:29:04 +0000

Veteran artists, writers reflect on the impact of the military at the Cheuse Center International Writers Festival Katarina Benson Tue, 10/27/2026 - 16:29

Three ��ɫ��Ƶ alumni recently reflected on turning their experiences as military veterans into art, with a moving exhibit as the backdrop inside the Gillespie Gallery at the Art and Design Building on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

The panel discussion “Another Country: Veteran Artists and Writers in Conversation” kicked off the 2026 International Writers Festival presented by George Mason’s Alan Cheuse International Writers Center in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

“Another Country: Veteran Artists and Writers in Conversation” panel. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

“When we began working together with the veterans, I learned from them that the language of the military, its norms, and customs, are like a country in and of itself,” said Cheuse Center director Leeya Mehta. “I was also fascinated with the ways veteran artists thought about their own origins, before they entered the military—the places they came from and the languages they spoke as children.”

The conversation took place at “As You Were,” an exhibit curated by retired Captain Moira McGuire, former director of healing arts at Walter Reed National Medical Center, that features the work of 31 artists encompassing veterans, family members, and caregivers.

“Veterans who submitted for this show very specifically identified that sense of community as being so important,” said McGuire, who is also an adjunct lecturer in George Mason’s Arts Management Program. “It is something I think creativity and expression naturally lead to. People create communities around their photography, their creative writing, their experiences as veterans. It is a beautiful pursuit, and we absolutely want to support it.”

With McGuire moderating the panel, George Mason alumni Steven Luu, BFA Art and Visual Technology ’22, MFA Art and Visual Technology ’26; Kat Reyes Colvert, MFA Creative Writing ’22; and Ben Inks, MFA Creative Writing ’22, discussed their works and their service as veterans after 9/11.

Luu, whose work, along with McGuire’s was featured in the exhibit, is a former combat medic who was first introduced to art through an intensive treatment program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He has collaborated with the Cheuse Center for four years—conducting workshops, sharing his art, and deepening the Cheuse Center’s understanding of the veteran experience. The audience heard deeply personal work about Luu’s service and artistic practice during the session.

Inks and Colvert, former classmates in the Creative Writing Program, spoke to the therapeutic processes of writing.

Inks, who earned a Purple Heart in Afghanistan, published the short story collection, Soft Targets, which was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2023.

Colvert served as a surface warfare officer in the Navy. She is currently working on her debut novel, The Ghost of Malabon, a coming-of-age story inspired by true events about a young woman as she searches for answers in the guerrilla resistance after the murder of her grandfather in Japanese-occupied Philippines.

Veteran participants of the “Another Country" discussion. Photo by Christian Torres/Office of University Branding

“I used writing, which is why I like fiction, as a way to bring aspects of certain people I no longer have back to life,” Colvert said. “I can manipulate worlds and think about things I don’t maybe want to commit to in this version of me sitting here right now.”

The festival encompassed two days and featured writers from as far as India and Spain. In conjunction with the United States’ semiquincentennial celebration, Mehta and the Cheuse Center wanted the festival to focus on seeing America from different perspectives.

“When we attempted to address the subject of Seeing America/Translating America, we did not want to prescribe what it meant to anyone,” Mehta said. “What emerged was an unexpected playfulness and depth and a celebration of the human condition in all its myriad ways. Where American writers were sounding an alarm bell, our Spanish writer in residence, Marina Pérezagua, talked about how much she missed America when she is in Spain. I was left with a sense of exhilaration at the community of writers and artists whose work centers us to do what Alan Cheuse had hoped we would: read as much as you can, write as much as you can, and love as much as you can.”

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New Veterans and the Arts Initiative Workshop Helps Veterans Find Camaraderie in the Theater

Tionge Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:23:40 +0000

New Veterans and the Arts Initiative Workshop Helps Veterans Find Camaraderie in the Theater Tionge Johnson Wed, 10/21/2026 - 12:23

This fall, the Veterans and the Arts Initiative at ��ɫ��Ƶ introduced a new workshop: In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community. Held in several spaces throughout the venue, including the Hylton Center’s Gregory Family Theater, and led by George Mason College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis and the Veterans and the Arts Initiative team, the new staged reading program gives Veterans and service members the opportunity to explore works that focus on military service and bring them to life with fellow members of the military community.

Dean Rick Davis guides participants in the workshop In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community.

The texts participants read during the six-week program are diverse—drama, poetry, and even a bit of music—reflecting human experiences with war and military duty throughout history and across cultures. They “range from Greek tragedy to modern drama, both serious and satiric, and some classic war poems,” said Davis.

“One of my favorite pieces in the workshop is the Chorus from The Cure at Troy, an adaptation by the great Irish poet Seamus Heaney of a Greek tragedy by Sophocles," he continued. "We are having fun exploring how a Greek Chorus sounds (with a modern translation), splitting up some of the lines and trying to create that sense of the ‘voice of the people’ that we think was the original purpose of the Chorus. I also love the famous World War I poem by Wilfred Owen, ‘Dulce et Decorum Est.’” 

Building a sense of camaraderie is an important part of the workshop process. Davis works on breathing and vocal production in the classes, but participants also work on “listening and speaking with intention.” In a group with such a wide range of ages and experiences, everyone brings different insights, Davis observes, regardless of whether they have acted before or not. No theater experience is required to participate.

Davis and Niyati Dhokai, program director for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative, said that “The common factor is that the community members who have come together for this workshop series have served our country, so what they bring to the texts that they have studied is a profound series of intergenerational reflections on service, war, and the importance of community.”

At the end of the workshop, members of the group will have a chance to present what they have learned during a public performance. But participants receive other valuable takeaways from their time with In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community.

“As one of the members said on the first day, this kind of workshop gets you out of your comfort zone a little, but in a safe and supportive way,” Davis said. “You can see the connections being made among the participants, how they are there for each other. And they should come away from the workshop with a greater appreciation for the art of performance—and maybe a spark might be kindled in some to keep looking for more opportunities."

The Veterans and the Arts Initiative will be offering a spring session of the workshop in 2027. Keep an eye on the Hylton Center calendar for scheduling and sign-up information.

In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance. 

Presented in partnership with Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

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New NEA Grants Support Veterans and the Arts Initiative Programs This Fall

Tionge Johnson — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:21:30 +0000

New NEA Grants Support Veterans and the Arts Initiative Programs This Fall Tionge Johnson Mon, 08/31/2026 - 18:21

This summer, ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative, based at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, received two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to support programs for veterans, servicemembers, military families, and caregivers. The workshops and community events, taking place both virtually and at the Hylton Center this fall, support the work of the initiative, which has served more than 20,000 military-connected people across Northern Virginia through programming that presents new artistic opportunities in a setting that also supports social connections with community members.  

U.S. Army Field Band. Photo provided

Beginning September 23, College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis will lead In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community. In weekly sessions, participants will explore texts about military life and service and develop a rehearsed reading that culminates in a public performance on October 28.

"I'm looking forward to working with our Veterans and the Arts community to create a meaningful montage of dramatic scenes, narratives, and poetry that connects the workshop participants with an audience through the medium of language,” said Davis. “The 'staged reading' format is an elegant but simple way to focus on the stories and images of the texts without the extra bells and whistles of a full production."

The program, funded in part by Creative Forces^®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, will be presented in partnership with Virginia Department of Veterans. The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance.

“For our servicemembers, veterans, and their families, the arts offer an opportunity to create, to express, and to perform, and especially, to do so collaboratively. The In Service of Theater staged reading program is the latest initiative of ��ɫ��Ƶ's exceptional Veterans and the Arts Initiative. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) is proud to support it,” said Steven Combs, VDVS Deputy Commissioner.   

George Mason alumnus Col. Scott McKenzie directs the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rachel Minto

The second grant from the National Endowment for the Arts supports three U.S. Military Band performances at the Hylton Center. On September 16 and 17, the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will present two free daytime educational concerts for middle and high school students across the region. On September 27, community members of all ages will also have the opportunity to enjoy The U.S. Army Field Band’s 80th Anniversary Concert, featuring multiple Field Band ensembles, and favorite works such as Respighi’s Pines of Rome and the finale of Beethoven’s Ninth, as well as the Hylton Center debut of the Army Rappers. Tickets for the U.S. Army Field Band concert are free and general admission (limit four tickets per order). Each patron must have a ticket to attend. Tickets are available online or in person at the Hylton Center Ticket Office.

“This season marks another exciting milestone for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative as we received two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. This support allows us to innovatively expand the impactful programming that brings our veterans, servicemembers, families, and caregivers, as well as local students, together through creativity, collaborative storytelling, and shared artistic experiences,” said Niyati Dhokai, program director for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative and research associate professor at ��ɫ��Ƶ.

The grant-supported workshops and concerts are just a few of the returning and new Veterans and the Arts Initiative programs at the Hylton Center this fall. Some of the additional workshops to look forward to this year are:

Instructor Glen McCarthy will be leading weekly Level I and Level II Veterans Virtual Guitar workshops for beginning and experienced musicians beginning September 22.
On October 17, veterans, servicemembers, and military family members can join artist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and George Mason alumnus Patrick Sargent for the Laser Engraved Relief Print Workshop and create relief prints based on self-portraits or beloved pets.
On October 24, the Screen-Printed Luminaries Workshop will offer the opportunity to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a hands-on class focused on the design and printing of patriotic-themed paper luminaries.
On November 4 and 5, artist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and George Mason alumnus Steven Luu will facilitate The Ritual of Mask Making: Play, Performance, and Self-Permission, which enables participants to share stories through mask creation and personal reflection.

The fall Veterans and the Arts Initiative programming concludes with two concerts honoring veterans. On November 6, The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” returns with a free performance for the general public. Col. Scott McKenzie, a Prince William Public Schools graduate who received his master of music degree from ��ɫ��Ƶ, is the Leader and Commander of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” On November 14 the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra presents To Swing Through the Sky, which will provide free tickets to veterans and servicemembers.

For more information on upcoming events, visit HyltonCenter.org.

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From military medicine to health policy: A distinguished alum reflects on his PhD experience

Heather Carroll — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:24:04 +0000

From military medicine to health policy: A distinguished alum reflects on his PhD experience Heather Carroll Mon, 08/10/2026 - 10:24

Key Takeaways

Christian Betancourt, PhD Health Services Research ’22, will receive the George Mason College of Public Health’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for his leadership in military, federal, and academic health care.
Betancourt credits George Mason’s mentorship and hands-on research with helping him translate complex data into evidence-based health policy.
Now an assistant professor at Uniformed Services University and deputy chief within the Defense Health Agency’s Health Informatics Division, Betancourt mentors future military health care leaders.

Christian Betancourt, PhD Health Services Research '22, and the College of Public Health's 2026 Distinguished Alumni, discusses how the mentorship and hands-on research at George Mason continue to influence his work at Uniformed Services University and the Defense Health Agency.

Christian Betancourt
photo provided

Four years after earning his PhD in Health Services Research, Christian Betancourt will return to George Mason this fall to receive the College of Public Health's 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Today, Betancourt serves as an assistant professor at Uniformed Services University and deputy chief within the Defense Health Agency's Health Informatics Division. Over his nearly three-decade career spanning military, federal, and academic health care, he has led veterans' mental health programs, directed a nationally ranked graduate program, and advanced health informatics and policy across the military health system.

Bentacourt recently reflected on how his George Mason experience continues to influence his career and daily decisions.

Why did you choose the George Mason College of Public Health?

After more than 20 years as a financial and administrative officer in federal health care, including time with the Navy, Marine Corps, and Veterans Affairs, I had a deep operational understanding of the system's challenges. I chose George Mason because I wanted to move from managing these challenges to fundamentally understanding and solving them. The PhD in Health Services Research has a strong reputation for rigorous, policy-focused research. Its location near the nation's capital and direct connections to major health systems like the Defense Health Agency was the perfect match to bridge my experience with the academic expertise needed to drive meaningful, evidence-based change in federal health care.

What experiences at George Mason had the greatest impact?

The mentorship I received was the cornerstone of my experience. My dissertation committee, especially my chair, Panagiota Kitsantas, treated me as a future colleague, pushing me to think critically about policy, access, and outcomes. My dissertation on substance-use disorders and mental health among U.S. veterans allowed me to apply both quantitative and qualitative research methods to a topic I’m passionate about. My coursework also provided the methodological toolkit I now use at the Defense Health Agency to analyze data and inform policy decisions.

The hands-on research opportunities were equally transformative. As the sole recipient of the Navy's DUINS (Duty Under Instruction) Scholarship to attend George Mason, I was able to fully immerse myself in my research.

How did the PhD in Health Services Research program help prepare you for the work you're doing today?

George Mason equipped me with the skills to translate complex data into actionable policy insights. The program taught me how to systematically investigate complex health care challenges using rigorous research methodologies. Today, I rely on quantitative data analysis, program evaluation, and qualitative research to understand both the "what" and the "why" behind health trends and develop data-driven solutions.

Just as importantly, my time at George Mason profoundly shaped my identity as an educator and mentor. Experiencing the faculty's dedicated mentorship inspired me to pay that forward in my own teaching. The rigorous academic standards and collaborative environment continue to inform how I develop curricula and mentor the next generation of military health care leaders and public health professionals.

What would you say to someone considering a degree in public health or health services research?

If you are driven to not just work in the health care system but to make the system itself work better, this is the field for you. My career began on the front lines of military medicine, and I saw the challenges firsthand. A degree in Health Services Research gives you the tools to address those challenges on a systemic level. Your work can improve care for thousands or even millions of people by shaping policy, optimizing resources, and ensuring that decisions are based on evidence, not just tradition. It's uniquely challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Learn more about the 2026 George Mason Distinguished Alumni Awards.

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Alum Christian Betancourt says the combination of policy-focused research, faculty mentorship, and connections to major federal health organizations gave him a foundation he continues to use in his career.
The program equipped provides with the skills to translate complex data into actionable policy insights and how to systematically investigate complex health care challenges using rigorous research methodologies.
Betancourt's advice: If you want to improve health care on a large scale by shaping policy and making evidence-based decisions, George Mason’s health services research programs teaches you the tools to do that.

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Costello MBA alum leads the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting into the future

Katelynn C Hipolito — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:39:08 +0000

Costello MBA alum leads the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting into the future Katelynn C Hipolito Fri, 08/07/2026 - 11:39

At the beginning of 2026, Mike Derrios, MBA ’06, returned home to the Costello College of Business at ��ɫ��Ƶ as the executive director of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting.

Mike Derrios, MBA ’06, Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting Executive Director. Photo provided by Mike Derrios.

Bringing 30 years of experience across military, federal government, and private-sector organizations, he saw it as an ideal opportunity to strengthen the workforce, enhance the relationship between government and industry, and expand outreach. As Derrios explains, “We have the opportunity to inform and influence value-added offerings that can help the community reach better outcomes.”

Paramount to Derrios’s decision to take the job was the remarkable experience he had in the Costello MBA program and how it empowered him to take the next steps in his career. “The caliber of the professors and the curriculum set me up for success and gave me the tools that I needed to step into senior executive roles on the government side,” he says.

After separating from the United States Air Force, where he got his start in procurement, Derrios had hit a wall. In need of developing a business background, he turned to Costello, where he immediately felt that the faculty members understood the notion of service and his purpose for pursuing an MBA. “This university smiles on veterans and gives them the opportunity to advance,” he says.

“We have the opportunity to inform and influence value-added offerings that can help the community reach better outcomes.”

— Mike Derrios, MBA ’06, Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting Executive Director

Now, with attrition on both the government and industry sides of the acquisition workforce, Derrios is seizing the opportunity for the Baroni Center to help fill the gap. “We’ve added about 1,200 new people to our contact list, and that’s just from a couple of webinars that we’ve done so far,” he says. “And we’ve published several research papers so far this year that are laser-focused on highly relevant topics.” The center is continuing to expand education and training opportunities for professionals to upskill and advance their careers.

Since graduating, Derrios has witnessed the incredible growth of both the university and the business college, extending their impact and elevating their reputations across the country and around the world. With that growth, he sees increasing opportunities to broaden the Baroni Center’s reach and deepen its influence. Valued by policymakers across the political spectrum for its objective and nonpartisan viewpoints, the center is being consulted by senior government officials on new policy.

Along with reaching out from campus, the Baroni Center is also looking inward. “We brought people in for a storytelling event,” says Derrios. “And we’re going to actually bring those storytellers back to talk to students in the fall. We’ve got 40,000 brilliant minds on our campuses, and we want to connect some of them with people in government and industry to explore viable career paths. George Mason really has the potential to create a strong candidate pool for the future workforce.”

While the center will continue to devote significant attention to the defense market, Derrios plans to expand its focus on the civilian sector, launching new flagship events designed to convene leaders around research, innovation, and thought leadership.

After the Costello MBA helped transform his career, Derrios is eager to give back to his alma mater, continuing to elevate and expand the influence and impact of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting and connecting policy with practice.

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Experiential learning fuels veteran’s entrepreneurial success

Katelynn C Hipolito — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:33:42 +0000

Experiential learning fuels veteran’s entrepreneurial success Katelynn C Hipolito Tue, 07/14/2026 - 11:33

Bailey Mahoney, MBA '26, presenting at the Patriot Pitch Competition. Photo by John Boal Photography.

“I think it's the real American dream to have something of your own, build something of your own,” says Bailey Mahoney, MBA '26. He grew up witnessing firsthand not only what could be built but also the freedom it created, as his father, who owned an electrical contracting business, always made time to be present for the important moments in his life. Without even realizing it, Mahoney found his first business mentor in his father.

Bailey Mahoney, MBA '26. Photo by Denise Van Photography.

After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Mahoney was looking for his next chapter. He began working for a company but soon realized that the corporate environment did not empower the kind of independent, mission-aligned decision-making on which he had thrived on in uniform.

When his constructive input on improving company culture went unheeded, it only strengthened his resolve. “If the CEO is not going to listen to me when I’m providing some advice that I know could have a meaningful impact on the culture of the company, let me go build my own,” he says.

“I think it's the real American dream to have something of your own, build something of your own,”

— Bailey Mahoney, MBA ‘26.

Rather than feeling dejected, he was inspired to found Pathfinder Federal Solutions, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business delivering federal business development consulting and mission-focused management support to defense agencies and the broader federal market. Months before launching the business, he had enrolled in the Costello MBA program at ��ɫ��Ƶ.

“The MBA was very helpful in that, even if it wasn’t directly related to entrepreneurship, all of the classes that I took touched a little piece of the C-suite,” he says. Several of the courses and programs were instrumental in helping him develop and launch his newest venture, AgentForge, Inc.—a defense tech startup building an agentic artificial intelligence (AI) platform for defense and national security.

(left to right) The Patriot, Gurdip Singh, divisional dean of the School of Computing in the College of Engineering and Computing, Bailey Mahoney, MBA '26, Cheryl Druehl, Interim Dean. Photo by John Boal Photography.

In the semester leading up to graduation, AgentForge and Mahoney received a major boost when he won $8,000 for first place in the Innovative Ideas track of the Patriot Pitch Competition. “There were so many added benefits outside of just the prize money that I didn't even realize were a part of it,” he says.

He says he felt fortunate to be assigned Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ‘85, as his Patriot Pitch mentor. “He had made it pretty much to the highest civilian level that you can within the Department of War and then transferred over into the Department of Energy,” says Mahoney. “He was super familiar with our target customer and how to sell to them and how to get in front of them. A few years ago, when he was still working for the federal government, he would have been one of the folks that I am approaching now to sell our products to.”

Mahoney had been encouraged to enter Patriot Pitch by Skip West, the instructor of the Turning Ideas into Successful Companies MBA elective, also known as “Geeks to Gazillionaires.” Drawing on his experience and hard-earned insights, West played a key role in shaping the core of AgentForge.

Additionally, the Innovation and Design Lab for Business and Government elective—taught by Ioannis Bellos, MBA program director, and Natalie Foley, adjunct professor—immersed Mahoney in hands-on, experiential learning, challenging him to make decisions for a nonprofit organization. The course provided a valuable perspective on what it takes to run a successful business.

Experiential learning courses like these provided him with the opportunity to move his learning beyond the classroom, test ideas, and navigate challenges, translating concepts learned into meaningful impact.

Armed with these insights, invaluable mentor feedback, and the momentum from his Patriot Pitch prize victory, Mahoney is now focused on scaling AgentForge to deliver cutting-edge agentic AI capabilities that enhance mission effectiveness for defense and national security stakeholders. His journey exemplifies how George Mason’s experiential programs turn ambitious ideas into ventures with real-world impact.

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The new art of herding robots

tdonnel — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:15:27 +0000

The new art of herding robots tdonnel Mon, 07/13/2026 - 12:15

As autonomous systems grow in number and complexity, researchers at ��ɫ��Ƶ are tackling a critical question: How can a single human operator manage an entire swarm of robots? Professors Alexander Brodsky, Cameron Nowzari, and Daigo Shishika are designing smart-swarm technologies to help military planners coordinate unmanned aerial and ground vehicles within Human-Machine Integrated Formations.

The urgency of this work comes from rapidly evolving real-world conditions. Drone incursions are increasing in both frequency and affordability, explained Nowzari, adding, “It still requires a centralized and expensive response from the Air Force just to take down a $200 drone.”

Astroswarm logo. Image provided.

Swarm robotics offers an alternative. By deploying many low-cost systems, the team aims to shift the economics of defense. “To take out a $200 drone, we want to do it in less than $2,000,” Nowzari explained.

But this introduces a new bottleneck: human attention. “If you have one pilot per robot, you’ve defeated the purpose,” he said. The goal is for “one or two people to manage, coordinate, monitor, and control hundreds of robots.”

The team’s goal is to enable military planners to assemble, adapt, and deploy swarm-control and coordination systems using mo dular,building-block components, reducing complexity while improving mission effectiveness.

They are building a Smart Swarm system with three components: a Swarm Decision Guidance Assistant, Swarm Operations Assistant, and Adversarial Risk Assistant. Together, these tools help operators interpret data, assign tasks, and respond to changing conditions without being overwhelmed.

This human-centered philosophy extends to the interface itself. The team is developing tools such as tablet-based dashboards where operators can issue commands and monitor activity. Deciding what information to display is a major research question.

“If we show them everything, it’s overwhelming,” Nowzari said. “They can’t do anything with it.” The challenge of data overload is top of mind for American military leaders taking lessons from Ukraine, he added.

A frame from Astroswarm. Image provided.

To explore these questions, the project incorporates an unexpected element: a video game. Built by undergraduate researcher Gagan Manjunatha, the simulator translates swarm behavior into an interactive, accessible format. In the game, called Astroswarm, players design simple algorithms to control fleets of spaceships defending a target, mirroring real-world swarm coordination.

Using intuitive, block-based coding, players can program their ships, experimenting with strategies in real time. The system then collects this data and runs large-scale simulations. “We’ll collect simulations and run many trials and see who has the best algorithm for defending a point,” explained Manjunatha.

The game is designed to be accessible to a wide audience while generating valuable insights into how humans design and adapt swarm behaviors. Supported by a $966,836 award from the U.S. Department of the Army, the research will continue through 2028.

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George Mason recognized as a top Military Friendly university

ckearney — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:25:01 +0000

George Mason recognized as a top Military Friendly university ckearney Fri, 06/12/2026 - 12:25

��ɫ��Ƶ has again been recognized for its steadfast commitment to veterans, servicemembers, and military-connected families, earning its latest Silver ranking as a Military Friendly® School for the 2026-27 academic year.

Office of Military Services staff. Photo provided

The annual honor recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in serving military communities. Results are published on MilitaryFriendly.com and featured in publications including G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse, and Vetrepreneur magazines.

“The Office of Military Services is proud of this ranking,” said Jennifer Connors, director of the Office of Military Services. “Our team works tirelessly to support our military and veteran families as a single point of contact. The increasing complexity around benefits has created challenges for students and families, underscoring the importance of having experienced staff to meet growing demand.”

Nearly 14% of George Mason’s more than 40,000 students are current or former military members or military dependents. This past fall, 20% of new undergraduate and 25% of incoming graduate students were military-connected, making George Mason a leading destination for military-affiliated students throughout Northern Virginia and the metropolitan Washington, D.C., region.

Many of these students rely on their education benefits to pursue their academic goals. George Mason has seen a 41% increase in students using VA benefits over the past three years. Over that same period, there has also been a 146% increase in veterans attending under the Veteran Readiness and Employment Chapter 31 Program, which serves those with service-connected disabilities. Supporting those who have served has long been a priority at George Mason, as evidenced by the university’s recognition as a national leader for veterans and military-affiliated students.

Photo provided

Most recently, George Mason led all Virginia colleges and universities in four of its six veteran-focused online graduate programs according to U.S. News & World Report. Standout performers include the master's in business and master's in nursing programs for veterans, both ranked No. 1 in Virginia. Overall, four of the six veteran-focused programs included in the rankings placed in the top 20 nationally, with all six placing in the top 50.

In addition, George Mason provides comprehensive support for military-connected students and their families, grounded in an understanding of the unique academic, professional, and lived experiences they bring to campus. Through the Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI) and the Office of Military Services, students connect with academic advising, career preparation, and regional resources tailored to the realities of military service and transition.

“George Mason is committed to leveraging the full breadth of its strengths as a public research university to support the military and veteran community through education, research, and community engagement,” said Keith Renshaw, MVFI director, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, and psychology professor. “This ranking is a testament to the incredible faculty and staff who work every day to make the student experience of service members, veterans, and their family members at George Mason as accessible and supportive as possible.”

Additional information about Military Friendly® rankings can be found here.

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George Mason and U.S. Air Force partner to rapidly field emerging capabilities

Katarina Benson — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:49:02 +0000

George Mason and U.S. Air Force partner to rapidly field emerging capabilities Katarina Benson Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:49

A partnership between ��ɫ��Ƶ and the United States Air Force is accelerating the development and real-world deployment of technologies designed to support Air Force personnel operating around the globe.

Through a collaboration with U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT), George Mason faculty and students are working alongside military personnel to test emerging technologies, train the workforce that will use them, and move promising innovations from the laboratory into operational environments.

The effort builds on an educational partnership agreement established in 2023 and has since grown into a broader research and workforce development collaboration. Since 2023, AFCENT has invested nearly $10 million at George Mason to support experimentation, prototyping, and operational validation of new capabilities.

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink addressed senior civilian and military leaders from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force financial management community, George Mason leadership and faculty, and AFCENT Futures Lab leaders at Fuse. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“A priority of AFCENT was becoming a more data-driven headquarters, upskilling the workforce and building capabilities in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, drones, advanced sensors, and data analytics,” said Brett Josephson, who leads the university’s work with AFCENT. “They looked for a partner who could bring together both technology development and the education needed to actually field those capabilities.”

The partnership leverages expertise from multiple George Mason schools and colleges, including the College of Engineering and Computing and the Costello College of Business. Other units, such as the Schar School for Policy and Government and the College of Science, contribute when additional expertise is needed.

Josephson, associate provost of learning initiatives at George Mason and associate professor of marketing in the Costello College of Business, said the collaboration works in two directions. George Mason researchers share insights on emerging technologies they are studying, while AFCENT leaders bring operational challenges that require new solutions.

That approach helps address a persistent challenge in defense innovation often referred to as the “valley of death”—the gap between research and real-world use.

“Too often, technologies are developed but never make it into the hands of the people who need them,” Josephson said. “By working directly with an operational command, we’re helping bridge the technology transition gap between the lab and the field.”

Research projects focus on areas such as robotics, sensor integration, AI, data analytics, and computer vision. New technologies and emerging capabilities are tested in George Mason labs before moving into field experimentation and, ultimately, operational validation overseas.

The collaboration has also created significant opportunities for George Mason students. More than 25 faculty members and nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate students have participated in AFCENT-supported projects so far, funded through fellowships, assistantships, and student wage positions.

Students are able to test technologies in real-world environments, working alongside faculty teams at Air Force bases in exercises to identify vulnerabilities in defense systems.

“These experiences give students the chance to work on real problems with real operational implications,” Josephson said.

The collaboration also includes training initiatives for military personnel. George Mason faculty have helped develop specialized courses, including a mechatronics program that combines robotics with computer and software engineering to support AFCENT teams working with emerging technologies such as drones and advanced sensor systems.

Participants in the U.S. Air Force and George Mason collaboration. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of Unversity Branding

In 2025, AFCENT designated George Mason as a duty station—AFCENT Bravo—where Air Force personnel can work alongside PhD and graduate students to ensure research innovations are operationally relevant and that personnel are prepared to use them.

This partnership is unique in that it directly connects a university with an operational combat command, enabling researchers to work closely with those responsible for executing missions. That direct connection allows George Mason researchers to better understand operational needs and rapidly develop technologies that can be deployed in the field.

It also reflects George Mason’s broader strengths as a university located in the National Capital Region, where proximity to federal agencies, defense organizations, and industry partners creates opportunities for collaboration.

George Mason facilities, such as Fuse at Mason Square, which was designed to promote collaboration, have also played a role in bringing together government, academic, and industry partners to tackle emerging challenges. In one example, the partnership helped support a 72-hour Department of War hackathon hosted at Fuse that brought together hundreds of participants across four continents to rapidly develop and deploy defense assets.

“Innovation in today’s security environment has to move faster than ever,” Josephson said. “Partnerships like this allow us to bring together researchers, students, and operational experts to rapidly field emerging capabilities that help protect our service members and keep Americans safe.”

As the collaboration grows, George Mason leaders hope it will serve as a model for future partnerships between universities and national security organizations, demonstrating how research, education, and operational experience can combine to meet rapidly evolving global challenges.

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Navy veteran charts a new course with George Mason robotics

tdonnel — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:28:39 +0000

Navy veteran charts a new course with George Mason robotics tdonnel Mon, 03/09/2026 - 11:28

In This Story

Xuesu Xiao

As a scientist for the federal government, Naval Reservist David Eichinger’s path to a master’s degree in computer science at ��ɫ��Ƶ was less than traditional. A microbiology major turned technologist, Eichinger is now a graduate researcher in robotics. He represents the motivated, resilient students George Mason empowers, balancing academics with the demands of life beyond the classroom.

After noticing patterns in his work, Eichinger realized he needed computational tools to solve complex problems. Over the course of nine years—first in a post‑baccalaureate certificate, now in the master’s program—Eichinger built the foundation he needed.

David Eichinger. Photo provided.

“I chose the computer science program because I was interested in learning computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, and robotics to understand pattern recognition in data,” he said.

When he began exploring graduate programs, he sought proximity to his job and support for veterans in addition to an excellent program. That support system at George Mason has been critical as he balances graduate studies with military life, work, and family. It’s also one reason he believes George Mason is such a strong fit for veterans and nontraditional students like himself.

“George Mason’s [Computer Science Program] was just very flexible as far as the time of day they offer their classes,” he said, adding that classes can be either online or in person. Even more important to him was faculty access.

Today, Eichinger works in Xuesu Xiao’s robotics lab in Fuse at Mason Square, working on off-road mobility and social navigation robotics. The lab is lively, collaborative, and hands‑on. “It’s like a little makerspace to geek out on with different toys,” he said. “It is a joy to play with these robots and try to program them to move on their own.”

As a nontraditional student, Eichinger appreciates that George Mason creates space for varied pathways and goals. For veterans, career changers, and those returning to school later in life, his path demonstrates how George Mason’s computer science master’s program meets students where they are and takes them where they hope to go.

“It is not a walk in the park,” he said, “but it is worth doing if you believe in it."

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