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Off the Clock: Katie Richards named Prince William County Poet Laureate

Katarina Benson — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 19:00:19 +0000

Off the Clock: Katie Richards named Prince William County Poet Laureate Katarina Benson Thu, 10/29/2026 - 15:00

Katie Richards, BA ’12, MFA ’21, senior graduate program coordinator in ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Higher Education Program, was recently named poet laureate of Prince William County. Richards’s proposal for the role focused on making poetry accessible to community members with disabilities.

Katie Richards crowned as Prince William County poet laureate. Photo provided

In her role as poet laureate, Richards plans to host adapted workshops and a reading series as well as publish a digital poetry anthology toward the end of her term. Her goal is to offer a workshop once a month for six months to nine different disabled community groups over the next two years.

The anthology project will be made up of creative work created by community members in these workshops and shared via a website where participants can choose to publish their work.

Richards is also hosting a bimonthly reading series, which will be open to the public and designed to be accessible for attendees in terms of location as well as format with sensory support.

Richards hopes her work will make poetry more accessible to disabled individuals in the community and inspire inclusivity across Prince William County.

"My hope is that this reading series will extend beyond the two-year term and that this term is just the beginning of starting this specific writing community in Prince William County,” she said. “I’ve learned over the years that writing is a very communal thing. I am the poet I am because of the community I write with.”

Tell us about your background in poetry.

I’ve written poetry since elementary school and always knew I wanted to be a writer. My father was an amazing oral storyteller and would often tell us hours-long stories that he would just spin off the top of his head on car trips or at bedtime over multiple days.

In high school, I was in the Center for Fine Arts in Prince William County as a musician but then made friends with all the creative writing students in the program. I was very active in the literary magazine Eddas there and took several creative writing classes with these friends where I continued to work on my poetry.

I came to George Mason as an undergrad English major where again I really focused on poetry. While in the program, I wrote three manuscripts, and my third manuscript eventually became my first book, Apple Mind (Safe Harbor Publishing, 2024).

What made you decide to apply for poet laureate?

My creative writing teacher from high school, Cathy Hailey, is a member of the Prince William Poet Laureate Circle. She encouraged me to apply for the 2024-26 cycle. At that time, my spouse and I were in the weeds of figuring out and managing our young children’s diagnoses and therapy care as they are both autistic. It wasn’t the right moment for me to be able to focus on a poet laureate project, so I held off but kept it in mind that I wanted to apply for the 2026-28 cycle.

What inspired your proposal?

Being the mother of two disabled people, I often see them left out of things because people make assumptions about what they can or can’t do. This happens especially often with my son, since he is majorly nonspeaking and has global dyspraxia. Sometimes the exclusion is obvious, like parents encouraging their children not to play with him at the playground, and other times it is more insidious, like people not speaking to him directly or addressing him like he’s a toddler because they assume he can’t understand.

My children continue to push and show others all they are capable of because we presume competence with them. They both see the world in a completely creative way. They both have strong eyes for visuals and find details in the day-to-day that I often miss. This attention to detail, seeing things from a different perspective, and acuity for noticing is a beautiful skillset for writing good poetry. So, I thought, how many other individuals are in our community with these natural skills but with no way to hone them? Why not propose an accessible workshop series?

How did it feel to be crowned poet laureate?

John Dutton, Prince William County Poet Laureate 2024-26, passes on the crown to Katie Richards. Photo provided

I was overcome with emotion, which really surprised me. Mainly, I think, because I feel so excited for this work. We have so many challenges in our day-to-day as a family navigating disability support, and creative work for this community is incredibly meaningful to me. It is important work, and I am excited to have a platform to give visibility to this problem.

As a trained poet and a mother trained in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), other speech therapy supports, and occupational therapy sensory integration supports, I have a unique combination of skills that will allow me to work with others to do this project. I felt the excitement and the responsibility of this title all at once at the crowning.

To connect with Richards on this project, visit her website.

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King of the Cosmos: George Mason alum Erica King earns 2026 Cosmos Scholars Prize

tdonnel — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:38:26 +0000

King of the Cosmos: George Mason alum Erica King earns 2026 Cosmos Scholars Prize tdonnel Wed, 10/28/2026 - 13:38

Erica King, a two-time graduate of ��ɫ��Ƶ's Department of Bioengineering, was awarded a 2026 Cosmos Scholars Prize, a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional recent PhD graduates from universities across the Washington, D.C., region. The award, presented by the Cosmos Club Foundation, includes a $25,000 prize and recognizes groundbreaking research with the potential to advance innovation across a range of disciplines.

King's doctoral research focused on developing innovative methods to observe muscle behavior during movement, addressing a longstanding challenge in rehabilitation and human performance science. By advancing wearable ultrasound technology that can capture muscle activity during natural movement, her work provides clinicians and researchers with new tools to better understand muscle function, support injury recovery, and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Erica King. Photo provided.

King's accomplishments continue to extend beyond academia. She recently began a new role as Sports Medicine Associate Research Scientist with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, where she will contribute to research supporting the health and performance of elite athletes. Prior to that, she was instrumental in launching a George Mason spinout working to commercialize wearable ultrasound technology and served as its CEO.

"Erica exemplifies the curiosity, innovation, and determination that define the best of George Mason bioengineering," said Parag Chitnis, interim chair of the Department of Bioengineering. "Her research demonstrates how engineering can directly improve human health and performance, and the recognition she has received is a testament to both the quality of her scholarship and the impact of her work.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be selected for the Cosmos Scholars Prize. Being recognized by the Cosmos Club Foundation deepens my commitment to developing technologies that can make a real difference in sports medicine and rehabilitation, and it motivates me to keep bridging the gap between engineering research and real-world care,” said King. “I’m grateful to ��ɫ��Ƶ and the Department of Bioengineering, where I learned the importance of this translational work, and to the mentors and collaborators who supported me along the way.”

King's recognition highlights the strength of George Mason's bioengineering research enterprise and the growing impact of its graduates across academia, industry, and applied research settings. As her work moves from the laboratory to real-world applications in sports medicine and rehabilitation, the benefits of her research may ultimately be felt by patients, clinicians, and athletes alike.

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Martin Abruzzo is November Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:51:43 +0000

Martin Abruzzo is November Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Wed, 10/28/2026 - 09:51

Martin (Marty) Abruzzo excels as student services coordinator and academic advisor in ��ɫ��Ƶ's School of Integrative Studies (SIS). A vital part of the school, Abruzzo has helped more than 7,000 students since joining the department in 2018. In addition to advising, Marty teaches several classes including INTS 391 Understanding Integrative Studies, CHSS 101 CHSS First Year Experience, INTS 395 College to Career, and UNIV 100 Introduction to Mason.

An alum with an MEd in counseling and development, he has been recognized as a Top Ten Academic Advisor of the Year in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2026, and awarded the 2021 Outstanding Faculty Award and the 2024 College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Service Excellence Award. Adding to his list of accolades, Abruzzo has been awarded the November Employee of the Month for his competence, kindness, and dedication to the school and George Mason.

"From day one, Marty modeled what it means to put students first, and his mentorship shaped how I approach my own work with students. I have watched him go above and beyond for students facing difficult circumstances, and everyone who works alongside him feels his commitment to the department's culture of care," said academic advisor Candace Stanfield.

Kelly Dunne, SIS associate chair and director of undergraduate programs, said, "Marty is a dedicated employee and an incredible colleague. He is generous with his time, knowledge, and skills and works to ensure everyone feels welcome, heard and valued."

"Marty is consistent, fair, and honest. If Marty says he'll do something, he does it, and he does it well,” said academic advisor Amollie Stoermer.

Stephanie Zeher, SIS operations manager, called Abruzzo “a beacon of light,” adding, “I cannot emphasize enough how valuable he is not only to our students, but to our colleagues in SIS and around campus. He is always cheerful, respectful, and very thoughtful."

"Marty's great performance is rooted in his empathetic manner and strong organizational skills. He is a trustworthy employee who gets the job done and gets along well with everybody he has worked with,” said P. Daniel Chen, SIS chair and an associate professor in the Higher Education Program.

How did you come to Mason:

In May 2009, my late wife, Jenna Kappel, and I moved to Fairfax for her career during the housing crisis in Washington, D.C. When looking at apartments, the representative told me that George Mason was just a few blocks away. I had known the name of the school from the 2006 NCAA basketball run. I came to explore the campus, fell in love, and got my master’s in counseling from here while I was a stay-at-home dad. While Jenna was facing chemo and treatments, I completed my practicum/internship at University Career Services. I have been helping our amazing students ever since.

I believe I have served about 6,500 students in eight years. I have been honored with the top 10 advisor of the year award four times, UNIV 100 Faculty of the Year award, and the very first College of Humanities and Social Sciences Service Excellence award recipient. All of this for doing what I love to do, I am just so grateful!

Best day on the job:

There are so many to choose from! I will say that working at George Mason is like being on the set of a sitcom. So many great and diverse characters and each one is from anywhere all over this great country, some from right here in Fairfax. So many people have helped build me and this honor of Employee of the Month is kept by me with them in mind, always.

I think the best was receiving an invitation to attend the graduation of a student who had struggled during his academic career. I got to know him and his family, and I told him he would be a 3.0 student by the end. He proved me right and is now going to teach in Fairfax County. I was able to go to his graduation this past spring. There are so many stories like this here. We get the privilege to invest in our youth and make a strong impact on their decisions. What a career of bliss this has been so far!

What do you like best about working at Mason:

The students. The amount of thank you’s, smiles, appreciation, and talent these students have is overwhelming at times. I like to joke that I never really left college, and why would I!? I also have met amazing staff who have helped me learn in this role and grow at this university. As the son of two elementary school principals, I am lucky to be working in higher education every day and am grateful out loud and often to have the opportunity to help students every day.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

My girlfriend Rachel and I are very busy these days as she has two daughters, 22 and 17, and I have two sons, 19 and 15. We attend band performances, will attend crew meets in the spring, and visit East Carolina University where my son Jack goes. I enjoy reading about history and government, walks with my dog Winnie every day, and the World Series!

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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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This George Mason alum brings a degree of preparedness to the region’s emergency response systems

lclarkg — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:18:39 +0000

This George Mason alum brings a degree of preparedness to the region’s emergency response systems lclarkg Mon, 10/26/2026 - 10:18

After completing her undergraduate degree in sociology at the University of Southern Maine, Julie Gall, PhD Criminology, Law and Society ’14, says that it became clear that she still didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up.

“Graduate school offered a path to expand knowledge, strengthen my professional capabilities, and contribute in a more meaningful way to my future career,” she said.

Born in Connecticut and raised in Vermont, Gall decided to pursue her PhD at ��ɫ��Ƶ because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., potential for employment, and the ability to travel a few hours and see mountains, the beach, or rural communities.

In her work with Northern Virginia Emergency Response System, Julie Gall, PhD Criminology, Law and Society ’14, helps the region effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from major emergencies and disasters. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“I knew it could, and has, made a fantastic home,” said Gall. Since then, Gall has used her training at George Mason to build a career preparing the region’s emergency response systems for the unexpected.

George Mason's doctoral program in criminology, law and society is now ranked among the Top 10 criminology programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. At the time Gall enrolled, the program was new, but the practical expertise of its faculty sold her on her choice.

“The faculty brought exceptional professional experience—many having served as practitioners before entering academia—which added a valuable layer of real‑world credibility to the program,” said Gall.

She was also drawn to the varied backgrounds of her potential cohort—fellow students with diverse educational backgrounds who had already spent time in the field and brought real‑world experience to their studies.

As she approached the end of her program, Gall found a job in her field through her George Mason connections. While she was completing her comprehensive exams, she attended a meeting with her dissertation chair that included a George Mason alum working as a consultant for Northern Virginia Emergency Response System (NVERS).

A collaborative partnership between local governments, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the private sector, NVERS enhances the ability of public safety agencies, the health care delivery system, and partner organizations to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, major emergencies, and disasters.

Gall was informally interviewed that day and began working part time while she completed her exams and dissertation. Since then, Gall has held several roles at NVERS. Today, she serves as its manager of public safety programs.

NVERS recently hosted a public safety competition to promote interagency collaboration at George Mason's Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“I support the overall program management of NVERS’ public safety portfolio,” said Gall. “This includes coordination of regional, multi-agency, multidisciplinary projects that promote emergency preparedness.”

Gall attends and supports stakeholder meetings with senior public safety officials from local and state government, driving regional policy and developing consensus on response procedures and tactics.

“We have the benefit of working with leading-edge subject matter experts that push the boundaries of traditional response paradigms and seek innovative solutions to complex problems,” said Gall. “Our goal is to take a ‘wouldn’t this be a good idea’ suggestion and develop it into a fully realized, regionally agreed‑upon approach.”

This summer, NVERS hosted the Capital Skies: An NVERS Game of Drones event at the Science and Technology Campus. The first event of its kind in the National Capital Region, Game of Drones brought together public safety UAS (uncrewed aircraft system) teams to showcase their operational skill, technical innovation, and interagency collaboration through a series of hands-on drone competitions modeled on real-world public safety scenarios.

The Game of Drones event at George Mason's Science and Technology Campus brought together public safety UAS (uncrewed aircraft system) teams to showcase their operational skill, technical innovation, and foster interagency collaboration. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Participants competed in mission-driven challenges that tested pilot proficiency, crew coordination, and decision-making under realistic conditions,” said Gall. “The events included interior and exterior flight operations, precision and obstacle-based courses, and structured Interior Tactical Operations exercises.”

The ��ɫ��Ƶ Police Department, which has a long-standing relationship with NVERS and has developed one of the most advanced UAS units in the region, helped coordinate the event.

“The inaugural Game of Drones event provided an excellent opportunity for the George Mason Poice UAS Unit to share its expertise and knowledge with other local, state, and federal partners,” said Michael Lighthiser, deputy chief of George Mason Police. “Participants gained valuable skills and built upon strong regional UAS strength. Thanks to NVERS, the region has positioned itself on the leading edge of public safety UAS and counter UAS.”

In collaboration with NVERS, the George Mason Police UAS unit offers support and training to other public safety agencies. Lighthiser proposed the creation of a UAS working group in NVERS to further support collaboration across agencies. The NVERS UAS Working Group was established in 2021.

UAS teams completed both indoor and outdoor tactical challenges at the Game of Drones competition. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“The group establishes regional guidance, evaluates developing technologies, provides training, and promotes operational best practices,” said Gall.

Returning to campus for this event is just one way that Gall remains connected to her alma mater. She stays updated through the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society alumni listserv, follows her cohort on LinkedIn, and reads The George, the university’s newsletter.

“The relationships I built at George Mason—many of which I still cherish today—make me think so fondly of my time there,” said Gall.

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One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava

Katarina Benson — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:43:25 +0000

One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava  Katarina Benson Thu, 10/22/2026 - 08:43

In July, ��ɫ��Ƶ alumnus Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94, was elected rector of George Mason’s Board of Visitors (BOV), after previously serving as vice rector. Shrivastava is president and CEO of federal consulting and software development company Unissant. He has served in many capacities at George Mason, including past chair of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Foundation Board of Trustees and past president of the Alumni Association board. 

You’ve seen George Mason from just about every angle—student, parent, alumnus, employer, philanthropist, leader of various university boards and now as rector. Given all those vantage points, what do you find most remarkable about George Mason?

Every vantage point has opened my eyes to how much George Mason is doing, how comprehensive it is, how deep we are. What’s amazing me right now, even as rector with just a few months of seeing from this perspective, is how much more there is still to discover. At the Grand Challenge Initiative Exchange Day in September, every time I’d run into a faculty member, I found myself exposed to another new capability, and then it makes me want to keep exploring.

Rector Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94. Photo by William T. Gallagher

You moved to the United States when you were 5, and you were a working parent while earning your MBA here. How is your story similar to many George Mason students, and how does that inform the work you do on behalf of the university?

That story is part of the core ethos of George Mason from its beginning. When I talk to our Golden Patriots, who graduated 50 or more years ago, you hear the same stories. We've always been this sort of heads-down, high work ethic university. The fact that we started as a commuter school is something we embrace. It's something that builds on who we are, because it meant that we were always highly relevant to industry. We were always delivering talent.

As rector, you lead the Board of Visitors, a group with extensive experience in business, technology, education, finance, real estate, law, government, and a host of other areas. What are the board’s goals for the university at this pivotal time in higher education?

Almost all of us have a direct relationship with George Mason whether as a corporate partner, philanthropist, engagement in one of the centers, programming, or research. That has allowed us to step into our respective roles and be running right away. I think a primary focus right now is to understand the current aspects of how George Mason is operating, in the context of the broader challenges that higher education is facing and then being the best advocates and supporters for the strategy that President Washington and the team are implementing to move through those challenges. In doing so, it’s also our responsibility to make sure we're challenging assumptions and creating the environment for positive and effective dialogue amongst all stakeholders—especially strategically.

As an employer who hires interns and graduates from George Mason, what are the critical skills that our graduates need to be successful?

A George Mason student is typically one that is juggling jobs, family, life, and studying, all at the same time. They aren't single threaded. And that already brings with it a lot of character, a lot of discipline, a lot of the basics and foundational things you want in an employee. The Mason Core highlights the importance of critical thinking, the importance of working in an environment where you're running into people from all sorts of backgrounds. Some people call those soft skills. I heard someone use the term “enduring skills,” and I really like that because those really are the things that you carry with you, no matter what technical skills or degrees you pick up along the way. It’s also important to make sure that we’re training people to learn how to learn so they understand how to evolve with change and how to augment that with the capability that is coming forward now, especially in the world of AI.

You’ve been actively involved in many George Mason launches and expansion efforts. What impact do you see our responsive growth and our centers and institutes having on the region?

They're critical. By default, they tend to be interdisciplinary. They're developed with a high degree of collaboration with industry input. We’ve seen that recently with the launch of the Virginia Quantum Hub. The relevance to local industry and employers in the region comes in the form of the way we're training students through programs from centers, the way we're doing research coordinated through centers, and delivering thought leadership into that industry. And then the convening capability, because academic institutions have a great role to convene government, industry, academia, all in one place, and be sort of a safe space for the kind of conversations you have to have, especially about things like grand challenges.

You and vice rector Anne Altman for years now have led the fundraising efforts for what would be the university’s first building devoted solely to the business school. What would the benefit be to the Costello College of Business, and what would the benefit be to the region and state?

The Costello College of Business enrolls more than 5,000 undergraduates and 800 graduate students. A modern, purpose-built home with smart classrooms and labs for AI, analytics, fintech, and risk management will match the space to the quality of the school. It also positions our Centers of Excellence under one roof, including the Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship, and the Baroni Center for Government Contracting, so students, faculty and industry leaders can work side by side. The Northern Virginia Technology Council estimates more than 130,000 open jobs in our region, and 87% of Costello's 44K+ alumni stay here, generating an estimated $360 million in economic impact across the DMV. The new Innovation and Workforce Exchange will bring workforce development, executive education, career services, and those centers together in one hub where employers can upskill their people, connect with students and encourage lifelong learning. Anne and I, along with the more than 220 business leaders from 168 companies who already advise Costello, see this building as a strategic investment in Virginia's workforce and competitiveness, and in George Mason's role as one of the commonwealth's strongest engines of economic opportunity.

George Mason is about two-thirds of the way to its goal in Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign. What would you say to fellow business leaders and alumni who are considering supporting George Mason?

My first question would be—why haven’t you? The dollar you put into George Mason has such reverberating effects that go far beyond a dollar put into other institutions. As a comprehensive campaign, we are making it clear to anyone considering supporting the university that there are many, many ways that you can impact the community through this campaign. But to me what it really boils down to is the role that George Mason has in this community for the last 50 years, delivering an ROI that is at the top tier nationally. It’s kind of a unicorn. At scale, to be able to have an upward mobility story that we do, to be able to have the corporate and industry integration that we do, is remarkable. We were built by industry as an institution. We continue to be supported by that integration with industry. To my friends in the community who are not alums, my pitch to them is: This is the region that raised us. This is where our parents decided to settle. This is where you’re raising your families. And this is the institution that made Northern Virginia what it is today. We can't achieve our vision if we don't have this strong standalone university here in Northern Virginia.

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Learning to fly

Martha Bushong — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:42:05 +0000

Learning to fly Martha Bushong Wed, 10/21/2026 - 13:42

When ��ɫ��Ƶ alumna Doreen Joseph, BS Cyber Security Engineering ’19, wants to clear her mind, she flies.

Earlier this year, she earned her private pilot's license while completing a PhD in computer science at the University of California, Davis. It might seem like an unusual pairing, but for Joseph, flying reflects the same mindset that has guided her education and career: embracing challenges before she feels completely ready.

"Don't count yourself out," she said. "Do the hard thing."

It's advice she often shares with students, but it's also a philosophy she lives by which she lives.

Doreen Joseph took up flying while working on her PhD at the University of California, Davis. Photo provided

As a student at George Mason, Joseph found both challenge and support through the Honors College and a series of internships that helped shape her future. The Honors College introduced her to graduate-level scholarship while providing the advising and encouragement that helped her navigate fellowships, research opportunities, and graduate school applications.

Internships allowed her to see how ideas from the classroom could be applied to real-world problems. One of the most memorable was a summer research internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado.

"It was my first time living out of state," she said. "I met great people, saw exciting research, and got to experience a completely different environment."

Those events solidified her interest in cybersecurity research. After completing her bachelor's degree at George Mason, Joseph went on to earn a PhD in computer science at UC Davis, where her research focused on cybersecurity and binary analysis.

If you ask Joseph how she got to this point, she pivots to talking about the mentors who guided her along the way.

As an undergraduate, she had planned to remain in information technology until an Honors College advisor encouraged her to consider cybersecurity instead. That conversation changed the course of her academic career.

"I was fortunate to have people who saw me as a leader and an engineer before I saw it myself," she said.

Today, Joseph works at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, investigating complex systems and identifying cybersecurity vulnerabilities. For now, she says, she’ll concentrate on learning as much as she can and deepening her expertise.

While these are her professional goals, another important goal is helping others recognize their own potential.

Throughout her academic and professional career, Joseph often finds herself the only person in the room who looks like her. “There aren’t many Black women engineers or computer scientists,” she said. Rather than seeing that as a barrier, she sees it as an opportunity to make the path easier for those coming behind her.

"As I continue to access rooms that may not have people who look like me, my job is to take what I learn and help open the door for other people," she said. "I may be the first, but I want to make sure I'm not the last."

That belief shapes the advice she gives students who may be unsure whether they belong in engineering, research, or leadership roles.

"Have the courage to do what looks impossible or what looks hard," she said. "You'll probably discover you're more resilient than you think."

The same willingness to embrace challenge led her to aviation. What began as a reward after passing her doctoral qualifying exams became a passion. Flying offered a welcome balance to research and reinforced a lesson she had already learned.

Sometimes, the only way to find out what you're capable of is to take off.

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2026 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders from across the university

Katarina Benson — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:59:35 +0000

2026 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders from across the university Katarina Benson Fri, 10/16/2026 - 16:59

For more than 30 years, the ��ɫ��Ƶ Alumni Association (GMUAA) has recognized alumni whose excellence and distinction reflect the university’s enduring impact on its community. The heart of this year’s celebration were individuals whose talent, drive, and service exemplify the very best of George Mason.

“This is what it’s all about: George Mason alumni—across schools, colleges, professions, and generations—coming together to share their accomplishments,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington.

The Celebration of Distinction honored more than 20 alumni this year. Photo by Risdon Photography

Hosted on October 15 at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, the celebration brought honorees together with friends and family to commemorate their milestones and achievements. George Mason’s schools and affinity alumni chapters recognized 18 distinguished alumni, and GMUAA selected five of its own awardees: Alumnus/a of the Year, the Alumni Service Award, Faculty Member of the Year, Senior of the Year, and Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award.

“Tonight’s honorees represent the very best of ��ɫ��Ƶ—not only in what they have achieved, but in how they have chosen to lead, serve, and make a difference,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of advancement and alumni relations and president of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Foundation.

Guylaine Saint Juste. Photo provided

Guylaine Saint Juste, BA International Studies '94, is Alumna of the Year. She is the president and CEO of NABA, a national organization representing more than 200,000 business professionals in accounting, finance, and related fields. Saint Juste has more than 30 years of executive experience in financial services, governance, and organizational transformation. In 2025, Accounting Today named her one of its Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for the fifth consecutive year. Learn more.

Charity Rankins. Photo provided

Charity Rankins, BS Psychology '22, received the Alumni Service Award. While Rankins is a human resources leader professionally, her most visible impact is through her entrepreneurial work in the community. She is the founder of P.S. Karma Arts and Crafts Enrichment Company, an organization dedicated to the creative and emotional development of children, particularly in high-risk communities. The organization’s work has been recognized as among the best arts and crafts programs in the region for five years.

Anthony Amos. Photo provided

Anthony Amos, MPP '24, received the Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award. He is only the second African American to serve on the City of Fairfax City Council. He leads multiple council committees and initiatives and serves as the city’s representative on the water and air quality committees with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Virginia Municipal League. Among Amos’s projects are creating the city’s first-ever affordable housing strategic plan and Virginia’s first kindergarten-to-college fund.

Cher Weixia Chen. Photo provided

Cher Weixia Chen, a professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ School of Integrative Studies, is the Faculty Member of the Year. She is the founder of the Human Rights and Global Justice Initiative, a senior scholar of the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, and a faculty fellow of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth. Her teaching and mentoring work have received numerous awards. Chen’s research focuses on women’s and Indigenous rights, among other marginalized groups. She has written and edited six books and numerous articles and chapters related to human rights law and policy.

Rakibul Alam. Photo provided

Rakibul Alam, BS Management; Marketing '26, is the Senior of the Year. As a student, Alam focused on connecting his business education with real-world impact. He held eight internships, five leadership roles, and went on three study-abroad experiences. He was the cofounder and president of Mason Consulting Group, which offers pro bono consulting for local Fairfax businesses. He also helped to found the Collective Organizations of South Asia and served as a student senator for Student Government. He was a U.S. State Department Gilman Scholar and an OSCAR research grant recipient and led research and community impact programs in South Asia.

Throughout the evening, guests celebrated through conversation, dinner, and live music from pianist Megan Slay, MM ’21, DMA ’25. Hosted by GMUAA president Jeff Fissel, BS ’06, and emcee, College of Visual and Performing Arts dean Rick Davis, they reflected on George Mason’s evolution through a curated collection of videos and images representing each college and unit, highlighting the university’s rich history, growth, and enduring impact.

“You all inspire your fellow alumni, reminding all of us that success is not only measured by professional accomplishment, but by integrity, generosity, and the willingness to lift others along the way,” said Bowden.

See the full list of awardees.

Read about the Awardees

Learn more about the Alumni Association

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Alumni

Campus News

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Alumni Association

George Mason’s Alumna of the Year champions education and opportunity

Katarina Benson — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 21:41:45 +0000

George Mason’s Alumna of the Year champions education and opportunity Katarina Benson Wed, 10/14/2026 - 17:41

Guylaine Saint Juste, BA International Studies ’94, understands education’s power.

Raised in Haiti and the first in her family to attend college, Saint Juste put herself through college while working full-time, attending class two nights a week. It took her seven years to graduate. One generation later, she was able to give her daughters a very different experience—the opportunity to attend college full time with their education paid for.

“This is the power of education, and the power of what George Mason does,” she said.

Today, Saint Juste is a globally recognized transformational leader and president and CEO of NABA Inc., a business leadership organization representing more than 200,000 accounting, finance, and business professionals. This October the ��ɫ��Ƶ Alumni Association recognized her as the 2026 Alumna of the Year.

With more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Saint Juste has been repeatedly named among the Most Powerful Women in Accounting by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and CPA Practice Advisor, and as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today for five consecutive years. The accolades reflect her leadership in advancing access, opportunity, and representation across the accounting and finance professions.

Guylaine Saint Juste. Photo provided

Saint Juste said, George Mason was preparing students for the “workforce of tomorrow” before that phrase was commonplace and that the university taught her “to think about things differently, to explore other opportunities, to encourage the hearing out of people—even if I have a different view or set of data.”

These skills have served her throughout her career.

“There’s no playbook for CEO,” she said. “You have to figure it out.”

She credits her time at George Mason—and specifically the university’s Robinson Professors—for teaching her fundamentals that have served her in the fast growth and impact of NABA.

“So much of how I lead, learn, and play has [grown from] those [George Mason] experiences,” she said. “I care deeply about this institution. I love that [George Mason is] proving that providing wide access does not dilute the outcome or the quality of the talent.”

After graduating from George Mason, Saint Juste completed graduate studies in retail banking management at the University of Virginia. Before joining NABA, her distinguished career included serving in leadership positions at Capital One and as a regional executive director of Year Up, a nonprofit organization that provides students the opportunity to pursue careers in business and technology.

In 2014, Saint Juste cofounded the George Mason Women in Business Initiative, which provides scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities to students. She is also proud to support scholarships and research at George Mason and wants people to think differently about philanthropy.

“Don't give—invest,” she said. “I want people to think about the importance of investing in institutions. I want people to ask, ‘What have you received?’ And how do you ensure that it is there for generations to come?”

So much of the power in attending George Mason is intangible, Saint Juste said. “George Mason is the institution, but the relationships that we form, the communities around which we gather—that's the magic of it.”

Learn about the Women in Business Initiative

See all of this year’s alumni honorees

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Alumni

Costello College of Business

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

An alumna's journey from George Mason nursing to NIH clinical research

Heather Carroll — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:34:10 +0000

An alumna's journey from George Mason nursing to NIH clinical research Heather Carroll Mon, 10/12/2026 - 14:34

Nursing wasn’t part of Nyah Collier’s original plan when she arrived at ��ɫ��Ƶ.

Photo provided

She started as an international relations major before switching to nursing at the suggestion of her father, who was a nurse himself. Once there, her interests kept expanding. Microbiology introduced her to infectious disease, epidemiology drew her to public health, and clinical training showed her how much she valued caring for patients. Collier graduated from George Mason in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a minor in public health.

Today, those interests all merge in her work as a clinical research nurse at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Collier, who later earned a master of public health in epidemiology from Drexel University, helps manage research protocols, recruit and care for study participants, ensure regulatory compliance, and collect clinical data. She also picks up shifts as a nurse at an urgent care facility to maintain her clinical skills.

We spoke with Collier about her George Mason journey and how it impacted her career.

How do you use what you learned in the BSN program in your current job with NIAID?

My BSN provided the foundational knowledge that I continue to draw on every day in my current role as a clinical research nurse at the NIH/NIAID. Nursing school introduced me to the principles of patient care, disease processes, evidence-based practice, and the clinical considerations that guide how nurses care for patients. While much of my critical thinking and clinical judgment developed through hands-on experience in my first nursing role, my BSN gave me the framework to build those skills and was the first step in shaping who I am as a nurse today. That foundation continues to inform how I approach research participants, understand clinical information, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute a nursing perspective to infectious disease research.

When did you realize you were interested in public health and infectious diseases?

There were a few pivotal moments. The first was taking microbiology as a pre-nursing major. I discovered my love for learning about infectious diseases and how they affect populations, and I especially thrived in the lab.

Before entering the nursing program, I had a free semester and decided to pursue a public health minor. That introduced me to epidemiology, and I realized this was what I wanted to do. Learning about treatments, biostatistics, and neglected tropical diseases piqued my interest further. Later, community health clinicals exposed me to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), geriatric adult day centers, food safety and inspection, and environmental public health.

You said you weren’t always sure about nursing. What changed?

Photo provided

Throughout nursing school, I sometimes questioned whether I’d chosen the right path. It was challenging, and there were certainly clinical days I dreaded.

It wasn’t until my senior-year preceptorship that something clicked. For 14 weeks, I worked closely with a nurse who trusted me with increasing responsibilities and gave me the opportunity to experience what it truly felt like to work as a nurse. I discovered that caring for patients came naturally to me and developed confidence in my ability to become a great nurse.

Nursing showed me how much I valued caring for people, while microbiology and epidemiology showed me how deeply I wanted to understand the diseases affecting them. My career today has allowed me to bring those interests together.

What has stayed with you most from your George Mason education?

George Mason gave me the freedom to explore and remain curious, from learning in the microbiology lab to assisting at clinical sites. The nursing program taught me to think critically, become comfortable with being uncomfortable, and seek out current evidence-based practices.

Through rotations in pediatrics, behavioral health, correctional health, and community settings, I learned to work with different populations and understand how health care needs vary. That experience has served me throughout my career across hospitals, homeless shelters, a state health department, outpatient care, and research.

Although I haven’t worked in traditional bedside nursing in nearly a decade, the clinical judgment, adaptability, and foundational knowledge I developed are skills I continue to rely on daily.

Why does public health matter to you now?

What I value most about the field is its ability to be proactive. We can prevent disease before it occurs, identify emerging threats, educate and advocate for communities, and use evidence to improve health on a much larger scale.

To me, being in public health means not only responding to the challenges we face today, but helping prepare communities for the challenges we have yet to encounter.

Key Takeaways

Nyah Collier, BSN ’15, supports infectious disease studies as a clinical research nurse at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
George Mason’s nursing program and public health minor helped her discover an interest in epidemiology and prepare for a career combining nursing and research.

Learn more about the College of Public Health

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bachelor of science in nursing

College of Public Health

National Institutes of Health

Alumni

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One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava

You’ve seen George Mason from just about every angle—student, parent, alumnus, employer, philanthropist, leader of various university boards and now as rector. Given all those vantage points, what do you find most remarkable about George Mason?

You moved to the United States when you were 5, and you were a working parent while earning your MBA here. How is your story similar to many George Mason students, and how does that inform the work you do on behalf of the university?

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You’ve been actively involved in many George Mason launches and expansion efforts. What impact do you see our responsive growth and our centers and institutes having on the region?

You and vice rector Anne Altman for years now have led the fundraising efforts for what would be the university’s first building devoted solely to the business school. What would the benefit be to the Costello College of Business, and what would the benefit be to the region and state?

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Learning to fly

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2026 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders from across the university

Read More Alumni Stories

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George Mason’s Alumna of the Year champions education and opportunity

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An alumna's journey from George Mason nursing to NIH clinical research

How do you use what you learned in the BSN program in your current job with NIAID?

When did you realize you were interested in public health and infectious diseases?

You said you weren’t always sure about nursing. What changed?

What has stayed with you most from your George Mason education?

Why does public health matter to you now?

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

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