Author: Rachel Spence

On May 6, 2026, President Washington made a presentation to the Staff Senate. Constituent questions that were submitted during the meeting but not answered due to time constraints have been submitted to the appropriate teams for response. As responses are received, this post will be updated.

Will the university be looking into adding any degree programs or certifications that are in high demand, as a way to increase student enrollment and/or revenue?

University leadership, including deans, faculty, and the colleges and schools, are continually evaluating opportunities to introduce new degree programs and credentials that align with emerging needs. There is an established process for developing and vetting these programs, and any new degree proposals ultimately require approval from the Board of Visitors as well as submission to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) for final authorization. In addition to full degree programs, the university is actively exploring alternative credentials and certifications as a way to provide more flexible, targeted learning opportunities. These efforts are not driven solely by revenue or enrollment goals, but also by a strong focus on workforce trends—ensuring that academic offerings prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market. 

There are multiple deans currently going through the reappointment process. In what scenario(s) would a dean NOT be reappointed?

Deans who are undergoing reappointment are reviewed through a comprehensive process, and there is no single factor that determines the outcome. Each review is unique and takes into account a range of considerations, such as leadership effectiveness, institutional priorities, performance over the appointment term, and feedback from relevant stakeholders. Ultimately, decisions regarding reappointment are made by the Provost and the President following careful evaluation of the available information. These are confidential HR and personnel processes, and as such, specific details about individual reappointment or non-reappointment decisions cannot be shared. 

How does financial upheaval affect the Mason Square campus specifically?

The financial challenges referenced by the President are part of broader trends across higher education that are not expected to have a disproportionate impact on Mason Square. University leadership continues to actively monitor these external pressures and is focused on responsible fiscal and operational management to help mitigate potential impacts. As a central component of George Mason’s future, we are confident that Mason Square will continue to grow and thrive with the recent opening of the Fuse building and high-demand academic program offerings that meet the needs of our region.

What is the current status of the UBC assessment of communications and marketing employees, teams, and departments within the Administration & Operations division? When will the results of the assessment be communicated to employees, and when will changes be implemented?

A draft communications and marketing assessment report for the Administration & Operations division was provided at the end of May and UBC is currently finalizing this report.  Once finalized, A&O leadership will take time to carefully review the findings and determine next steps; at this point, no decisions have been made. We anticipate that any potential changes and the corresponding communications would be initiated over the summer. We will share more information as it becomes available, and any employees who may be directly impacted by potential changes will be informed through direct communication.

There have been recent senior leadership changes with significant compensation despite declining enrollment and what could be perceived by staff as questionable performance. Given the acknowledged staff salary challenges and inability to raise wages, how can staff have confidence in job and pay equity and security? And, are there any plans to increase staff compensation?

Response pending.

The President mentioned “no hiring” for staff in his presentation as a possible budget mitigation tool. Was he referring to new positions or currently vacant positions? 

Response pending.

Each June the Staff Senate recognizes those staff senators who have completed their two-year term. This year we were joined by Chris Ackerman, vice president of human resources and Stacey Ellis, faculty and staff engagement program manager who presented senators with certificates and words of thanks during a brief recognition ceremony.

Thank you all for your service to the senate, the university, and our constituents. As Chris Ackerman said during his presentation, “I have been deeply impressed by the commitment and passion this group brings to supporting our classified staff and non-student wage colleagues…Despite the demands of your daily roles, you’ve made the time to lead and advocate for others—and that speaks volumes. Thank you for setting the standard for what servant leadership and active engagement look like at George Mason.”

The following senators were recognized:

Carlos Sandoval
Mason Square, Awards & Engagement Committee Co-Chair

Diana St. Amand-Campos
Mason Square

Jariatu Bah
Fairfax, Events Committee Co-Chair

Timothy Diggins
Fairfax

Jeremiah Garcia
Fairfax, Awards & Engagement Committee Co-Chair

Melissa Hallman
Fairfax, Parliamentarian

Tabatha Hargrove
Fairfax, 25th Anniversary Committee Chair

Lei An Ilan-Garcia
Fairfax

Megan Neff-Boyle
Fairfax, Events Committee Co-Chair

Danielle Fritz
At-Large