Mason Staff Senate

Author: Amanda Corrigan

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Featured on Homepage Profile of a Senator March 2026

Meet Diana St.Amand-Campos, Staff Senator

Diana St.Amand-Campos, Staff Senator

 

Role: In my role, I drive strategic partnerships, develop and promote programs, and support adult learners and professionals. I assist with grant proposals and contract opportunities to expand CPE offerings while ensuring programs are innovative, impactful, and aligned with both learner and organizational goals. 

Mason journey: I began my journey at George Mason University in October 2022, joining the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) division under the Office of the Provost. Prior to this role, I served as a Military/Veteran Advisor at Northern Virginia Community College, where I had the privilege of supporting service members, veterans, and their families in pursuing their academic and career goals. I also worked as a High School Outreach Coordinator, building bridges between education and opportunity for students preparing to take their next steps in life. These experiences shaped my passion for access, equity, and educational advancement, which I now bring to my role at Mason. 

Best thing about working at Mason: What I love most about Mason is the freedom to take initiative, lead projects independently, and deliver meaningful results that make a real impact. I also value the autonomy to innovate and shape programs that truly support learners’ growth. Mason empowers me to take ownership, drive initiatives, and see the tangible results of my efforts. 

Why serve on the Staff Senate: Service has always been at the heart of my career and personal mission. Whether assisting military families, guiding students, or now helping to create pathways for professional growth through continuing education, I find joy and purpose in being able to support others. As a Business Development Specialist, I work to connect organizations and individuals with programs that strengthen workforce skills, build careers, and contribute to community development. Serving in this capacity allows me to uplift people while advancing Mason’s vision of innovation and transformation. 

At the end of the day: As a Staff Senator, I believe in the power of being part of the conversation. Having a seat at the table is not only about representation but about ensuring that diverse perspectives, experiences, and needs are heard and valued. I see this role as an opportunity to be a beacon for change—bringing forward ideas that improve the staff experience and strengthen the Mason community. By working collaboratively with colleagues across the university, I aim to help shape solutions that create lasting impact for both staff and students. 

 

 

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Featured on Homepage March 2026

March 2026 General Meeting Recording

Chris Ackerman. Photo provided.
Chris Ackerman. Photo provided.

 

The Staff Senate March General Meeting featured guest speaker, Chris Ackerman, vice president of Human Resources, and a panel of other George Mason Human Resources leaders. If you missed the meeting, or would like to rewatch the session, please review the recording.

Questions that were submitted but not answered during the meeting have been submitted to Human Resources for response. Once available, they’ll be posted here and shared in an upcoming Staff Senate newsletter.

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Featured on Homepage March 2026

April 2026 General Meeting Announcement

Photo provided.

Wednesday, April 1
10 to 11 a.m. – Guest Speaker
11 a.m. to noon – General Business Meeting

Constituents may attend in person in Merten 1201, or join the meeting via Zoom* (Zoom Passcode: SS123).
Call in: 301-715-8592 or 267-831-0333
Meeting ID: 931 0040 3860 / Passcode: 621190

Add to my calendar.

The Staff Senate April General Meeting will feature Julie Zobel, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Administration and Operations.

The Office of Sustainability will present a brief recycling update at 11 a.m.

The Staff Senate will collect questions in advance for consideration. Please submit your questions using the form below. Live questions will be accepted, time permitting.

    If yes, you will need to provide your name above so you can be called on.

The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at George Mason University. Working closely with university administration, we address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the George Mason community. The work of the senate is accomplished through open and continuous communication with its constituents.

*The Staff Senate is requiring that virtual attendees join our Staff Senate General Meetings with their Patriot Pass credentials. If you are already signed into Zoom using your George Mason-licensed Zoom account, you should not see a difference. If you are not already signed into your George Mason-licensed Zoom account, you will be told authentication is required to join. 

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February 2026

Faculty and Staff Teaching Opportunity

Announcement text: University Studies is hiring Mason faculty and staff to teach UNIV 100 – ‘Introduction to George Mason’ in Fall 2026. Visit our webpage to learn more about this opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of first-year students. Attend an information session or more information. Complete an application by February 18, 2026.

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Profile of a Senator February 2026

Meet Jill Manuel, Staff Senator

Role at Mason: As an Exploratory Academic Advisor, I support students who are undecided, undeclared, or have been redirected following academic program termination. My goal is to help them discover a meaningful academic path that aligns with their interests and strengths. Our office also assists non-degree students who are interested in taking courses at Mason. 

My Mason Journey: I joined George Mason University after spending seven years with the Virginia Community College System. I realized that to grow professionally, I needed to transition to a new institution. In 2019, I was fortunate to join Mason’s Office of Graduate Admissions—a move that proved to be one of the best decisions of my career. After four years in that role, I transitioned to Exploratory Academic Advising. During my time at Mason, I’ve earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Development, and I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Education: Higher Education, with plans to complete the program in 2027. 

What I Love About Working at Mason: The Mason community is the heart of what makes this university special. Through both my professional role and my academic journey, I’ve built lasting friendships and found unwavering support. Collaborating with our incredible students and colleagues makes Mason an inspiring and fulfilling place to work. 

Why I Serve on the Staff Senate: Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to promoting equitable access to professional development and opportunities for all staff. It’s disheartening to see talented individuals overlooked or denied growth. Serving on the Staff Senate allows me to advocate for initiatives that empower staff and help create pathways for career advancement. 

At the End of the Day: Whether in my role as an advisor, a Staff Senator, or a PhD student, my mission is to help shape systems and policies that provide holistic, equitable support for both students and staff. We often speak of meeting students where they are—but I believe this philosophy should extend to our staff as well. Everyone’s educational and professional journey is unique, and it’s essential that we support long-standing, dedicated staff just as we do recent graduates. This commitment is central to the Mason Way, and I’m proud to uphold it. 

In my research, I carry this philosophy forward by recognizing that every student brings a distinct story. As Virginia’s largest and most diverse university, Mason has a responsibility to honor those stories—whether they reflect traditional paths or are marked by adversity. By embracing this diversity, educators can better serve students with empathy and insight. That’s why I actively seek opportunities to present on trauma-informed practices in education, aiming to equip fellow practitioners with tools to help change lives and break cycles of poverty and trauma. 

 

 

 

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February 2026

February 2026 General Meeting Recordings

Marvin Lewis. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

 

The Staff Senate was joined by multiple guests during the February General Meeting. If you missed the meeting, or would like to rewatch the sessions, please find links below.

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February 2026

March 2026 Meeting Announcement

Chris Ackerman. Photo provided.
Chris Ackerman. Photo provided.

Wednesday, March 4
10 to 11 a.m. – Guest Speaker
11 a.m. to noon – General Business Meeting

George Mason Athletics will be providing tickets to the March 7 men’s basketball game for meeting attendees.

Constituents may attend in person in Merten 1201, or join the meeting via Zoom* (Zoom Passcode: SS123).
Call in: 301-715-8592 or 267-831-0333
Meeting ID: 931 0040 3860 / Passcode: 621190

Add to my calendar.

The Staff Senate March General Meeting will feature guest speaker, Chris Ackerman, vice president of Human Resources, and a panel of other George Mason Human Resources leaders.

The Staff Senate will collect questions for Mr. Ackerman in advance for consideration. Please submit your questions using the form below. Live questions will be accepted, time permitting.

The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at George Mason University. Working closely with university administration, we address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the George Mason community. The work of the senate is accomplished through open and continuous communication with its constituents.

*The Staff Senate is requiring that virtual attendees join our Staff Senate General Meetings with their Patriot Pass credentials. If you are already signed into Zoom using your George Mason-licensed Zoom account, you should not see a difference. If you are not already signed into your George Mason-licensed Zoom account, you will be told authentication is required to join, and prompted to sign in. For more information, please access our FAQ document.

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Profile of a Senator January 2026

Meet Sarah Alharshan, Staff Senator and Academic Advisor, Information Sciences & Technology (IST) Department    

Sarah Alharshan. Photo by: Creative Services/ George Mason University

Role: I serve as an Academic Advisor in the IST department, where I support undergraduate and graduate students throughout their academic journey at George Mason. I meet regularly with students to guide them in course planning, address academic or career concerns, and help them make the most of their Mason experience. I aim to create a welcoming environment where students feel heard, supported, and empowered to succeed. My work also involves collaborating with faculty and staff to ensure students are on track for graduation and aligned with their career goals. 

Mason journey: I began my career at Mason in February 2022 as an Administrative Specialist in the IST department. In 2025, I transitioned into my current role as an Academic Advisor. Before joining Mason, I worked overseas as a university lecturer, teaching undergraduate students in information systems. Shifting from classroom teaching to student advising has allowed me to continue supporting student success in a more personalized and holistic way. I am also honored to serve as a 2025 Staff Senator. 

Best thing about working at Mason: What I value most about Mason is its diverse and inclusive community. I don’t feel different here—I feel welcomed and appreciated. Working with both students and colleagues from many backgrounds enriches my day-to-day experience and fosters a sense of collaboration, learning, and mutual respect. The supportive environment and teamwork within the department truly reflect the spirit of Mason. 

Why serve on the Staff Senate: I joined the Staff Senate because I want to support Mason staff at a broader level. I believe in advocating for our needs, sharing our voices, and contributing to a more connected campus. I want to help address concerns, learn from others, and offer my own experience as part of a meaningful and supportive community. I also enjoy the opportunity to be involved in initiatives that positively impact the university. 

At the end of the day: At the end of the day, I feel fulfilled knowing I helped someone—whether that’s a student finding the right class or a colleague navigating a complex process. Supporting others is what motivates me, and being part of their success brings me joy and purpose. 

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Profile of a Senator December 2025

Meet Chanel Figueroa, Staff Senator

 

Role: I am the CRM Training Specialist within Enrollment Management. My primary responsibilities are to support and curate training, adoption, and documentation for users of our CRM systems (TargetX and Patriot Connect).   

Mason journey: My journey at Mason began over 10 years ago, in 2013, when I worked as a Shift Lead in the Office of University Information (a division of University Branding at the time), where I supervised students working at the information desks around campus. I left the university, then came back in 2015 to work as a Recruitment and Outreach Specialist in CEHD. In this role, and subsequently as Assistant Director of Recruitment, I revamped recruitment activities for our programs, including building relationships on campus and with external stakeholders, planning recruitment events, guiding recruitment communications, and tracking them in our CRM systems. During my time in CEHD, I also taught University 100 several times and served on the CEHD Staff Council, a group that strived to enhance the experience for our staff. A project I’m proud of from my time on the CEHD Staff Council was the creation of a ‘New to CEHD Guide,’ a resource specifically tailored for new staff within the college.  

I left again in 2021 but returned in January of this year, which marks the culmination of the knowledge I gained in CEHD and some of the training skills I learned in my previous role. As Patriot Connect continues to come online, I’m excited to support our users on this new and exciting journey! 

Best thing about working at Mason: As cliché as it sounds, the people! I’ve returned to Mason (twice!) not only for the opportunities, but because the people at Mason are incredibly kind, engaged, and student-focused through and through. We collectively strive to embody Mason’s values every day. 

Why serve on the Staff Senate: Simply put, I am proud to be a member of the Mason staff. We work hard for our communities and deserve to have advocates. Additionally, I am so impressed by the work the Staff Senate does and am grateful for the opportunity to serve.  

At the end of the day: If, as a Staff Senator, I can give a voice to one of my colleagues or successfully support an initiative that enhances support for fellow staff, I will feel accomplished.  

 

 

 

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