Author: Hannah King

Calling all faculty, staff, and graduate students – University Life (UL) wants you to present at the 2026 UL Student Success Symposium!

How? Submit a program proposal for the 2026 UL Student Success Symposium by April 13 at noon.

When? The UL Symposium Pre-Conference will take place on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and the UL Symposium will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Where? Join UL at the Johnson Center on the George Mason University Fairfax Campus for this dynamic in-person conference

Proposal Submission Overview

To learn more about the 2026 UL Student Success Symposium, please see the event program overview and learning outcomes on the UL homepage.

Program submission guidelines, criteria for different program types, relevant competencies, and supporting materials are detailed on the UL Symposium Call for Programs webpage.*

*Please review the information provided carefully, as the requirements are different than other professional organization-based conferences*

To submit a program proposal for either a Symposium educational session or a Pre-Conference workshop, access the submission form here.

Registration for the 2026 UL Student Success Symposium will be live later this month.

The 2026 Faculty and Staff Experience (FSE) Survey is officially open – and Human Resources wants to hear your voice. You play a vital role in shaping our community, our culture, and the student experience. The FSE Survey is more than a check‑the‑box activity; it is one of the most direct ways you can influence decisions, improvements, and initiatives that impact your daily work.

What the Survey Measures

The survey focuses on your workplace experience – what helps you do your best work and where barriers may exist. It asks about:

• Whether you feel valued and supported
• What resources and opportunities you have
• How meaningful and purposeful your work feels
• Your opportunities for growth and professional development

This data helps us understand not just how we’re doing, but how you’re doing.

Why Your Participation Matters

Your feedback drives meaningful change. Survey results guide leaders at every level in making improvements, revisiting priorities, and strengthening team culture. Your insights help highlight what’s working well – and where attention or support is needed.

It strengthens what we already do well. Positive feedback matters, too. When teams identify strengths, leaders can preserve and reinforce them, ensuring that the practices already benefiting you continue.

It sparks real conversations. Survey data opens the door for deeper dialogue within teams. Your responses help managers understand your experiences, invite discussion, and collaborate on solutions.

How Your Engagement Supports Student Success

When faculty and staff are engaged – supported, energized, and emotionally connected to their work – students benefit. Research shows that engaged employees create environments where students are more likely to thrive and feel confident recommending their programs to others. When you thrive, students thrive.

Help Shape George Mason’s Future

Your perspective is essential to building a workplace where everyone can grow, contribute, and succeed. The more voices represented, the clearer the picture we gain of our community’s needs and strengths.

The FSE Survey is open now through April 21.

Take the survey. Share your truth. Shape your workplace.

For questions, contact [email protected].

Staff are invited to attend the first-ever Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Mason Ideas Festival on May 8-9. The free festival will introduce adults 50 and older to OLLI Mason’s quality educational, social, and cultural opportunities.

Held on the Fairfax campus, the OLLI Mason’s Ideas Festival will include a panel discussion on global perspectives in aging, as well as 20 educational classes on topics from art to health to history to yoga. Many of OLLI’s clubs will also take part in the festival, showcasing the variety of hobbies and interests that older adults can explore through the program.

You can learn more and RSVP on the OLLI Mason website.

Mason Money Returns: Central HR Gift Card Program

Human Resources is excited to share that Mason Money is once again available as an option within Human Resources’ Rewards & Recognition gift card program! This expanded offering provides a flexible, meaningful way to recognize faculty and staff while making the process simple and efficient.

Human Resources will process requests submitted through MyMasonHR and coordinate directly with the Mason Card Office to upload the funds. Funds are loaded directly onto the recognized employee’s Mason ID Card, making this a convenient and highly accessible form of recognition.

Why Choose Mason Money for Rewards & Recognition?

In addition to being easy to use, Mason Money offers meaningful, everyday value for employees. We recommend highlighting these benefits within your department’s recognition and appreciation practices:

• Funds go straight onto the Mason ID Card – no extra steps for faculty and staff
• Can be used at all campus dining locations
• Accepted at the bookstore for merchandise, supplies, and more
• Mason Money rewards bring employees into campus life, supporting local dining partners and increasing engagement with university services.
• We also encourage departments to extend this recognition option to student employees, who often benefit most from on-campus spending flexibility. Note: Student employees are eligible for $10 gift cards.