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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
During the December General Meeting, Josh Cantor, director, Parking and Transportation provided an updated from Parking and Transportation. For those who missed the meeting, or would like to re-watch the session, the recording is now available.
Wednesday, February 4
10 to 11 a.m. – Business Meeting
11 a.m. to noon – Guest speaker, Marvin Lewis
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 this meeting to my calendar.
Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, has been invited as our Staff Senate February General Meeting guest speaker. Vice Rector Michael Meese has been invited to provide an update from the Board of Visitors at the beginning of the business meeting at 10 a.m.
Note: In-person attendees during Marvin Lewis’s presentation will have the opportunity to pick up four tickets to the men’s basketball game on February 4, versus Duquesne at 7 p.m, compliments of George Mason University Athletics.
The Staff Senate will collect questions for Mr. Lewis 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 helpful FAQ document.
Wednesday, December 3
10 to 11 a.m. – December Staff Appreciation Bingo!
11 a.m. to noon – Business Meeting
Space Update: Constituents may attend in person in the Main Reading Room at Fenwick Library, Room 2001, 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 this meeting to my calendar.
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 helpful FAQ document.
