Category: 2025

April Manager Meetup

Join the University Life (UL) Supervision Collective for the April Manager Meetup, Beyond the Numbers: Reporting through Storytelling, on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. This virtual, interactive session will discuss storytelling as a vehicle for reporting the work of your unit, team, or project. You can register here.

The conversation will be centered around understanding the components of storytelling, importance of narrative development, and reviewing provided case studies to build understanding of the topic.

In the session, participants will:

Understand how reports can tell a story rather than just display data.
Recognize the importance of narrative in reporting for various stakeholders.
Learn the key components of storytelling in reports.

Resources will be provided for participants to continue the conversation with their teams following the session.

Registration Link

If you have any questions or need further support to ensure your full participation in the session, please email Meeghan Milette.

Join the Mason Chooses Kindness Committee

Outstanding Achievement Awards: Save the Date and Award Recipients

The Outstanding Achievement Awards celebrate the hard work, dedication, and achievements of Mason’s faculty and staff across several award categories in support of the university’s values and mission.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination and recognize the outstanding contributions of so many deserving George Mason faculty and staff! In 2025 we received a 146% increase in nominations compared with 2024! The full list of awardees is below.

Save the date and join the celebration! No RSVP needed for attendees.

Event Details:
Tuesday, April 15
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center
Livestream link available on the OAA website

2025 Award Recipients:

Adjunct Faculty Service Award

Meghan Betz, College of Education and Human Development
Barbara Burfeind, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Carolyn Wilson, College of Engineering and Computing

Campus Culture Champion

Tammy Lu, Division of Enrollment Management

Civility Star

Michelle Dolansky, Advancement and Alumni Relations

David W. Rossell Quill Award

Christine Landoll, Costello College of Business

Excellence in Action Award

Mark Craft, Information Technology Services
Jenna McGwin, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Exceptional Support Award

Jennifer Fortney, Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact
Nane Nitsche, Advancement and Alumni Relations
Christopher Durac, College of Science
David Oler, College of Engineering and Computing

George Mason Legacy Award

PJ Maddox, College of Public Health

Goldie and Diane Hattery Award for Excellence

Claudia Flores, Facilities and Campus Operations
Ruth Mogollon, UL Residence Hall Operations

Innovation Award

Erikca Brown, Office of Access, Compliance, and Community

Jade Barricelli Spirit of Advising Excellence Award

Marie Champagne, College of Education and Human Development

Margaret C. Howell Award

Sammy Steen, College of Education and Human Development

Martha J. Reiner Award for Quality Customer Service

Patricia Granberg, Division of Enrollment Management
Bridget Peabody, Human Resources

Mason Faculty Alumni Award

Michal McElwain Malur, Schar School of Policy and Government

Mason Staff Alumni Award

Jonathan Carmona, International Programs and Services, University Life

Mentorship Excellence Award

Shaghayegh Bagheri, College of Engineering and Computing

Nancy Murphy Mason Spirit Award

Rick Gray, New Student and Family Programs
Michelle Murphy, Advancement and Alumni Relations

Outstanding Supervisor Award

Dan Minot, College of Education and Human Development
Ryan Braun, Undergraduate Education

Patriot Pathbreakers Award

Budget Model Redesign Team
FUSE and LSEB Operations Team

Rick Holt Active Transportation Advocate Award

Tamara Harvey, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Rising Star Award

Stephanie Bluth, Graduate Education Administration

Sustainability Hero Award

Makenzie Gold Quiros, Housing and Residence Life

Wage Employee Service Award

Rose Aubery, Division of Enrollment Management
Susan Bannan, Advancement and Alumni Relations

Reach out to [email protected] with questions!

Bike to Mason 2025

Join us for Bike to Mason 2025, George Mason’s annual celebration of biking and sustainable commuting! Pedal your way to campus on April 22 at the Fairfax Campus or April 24 at Mason Square and enjoy complimentary refreshments, bike resources, and a chance to connect with fellow cycling enthusiasts. Let’s make our commutes greener while celebrating Earth Month together. RSVP today!

The Mason community gathers together on Bike to Mason Day. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

University Life Student Success Symposium 2025

The University Life Student Success Symposium is the division’s signature professional development experience. This annual event is an opportunity to connect with colleagues to engage in topics important to our work, to evolve our practices, and learn more about the impact of our colleagues’ contributions. The 2025 UL Symposium invites us as colleagues to engage with the “why” in our work as practitioners and as a division.

The Symposium will provide you with interactive and engaging experiences to focus on the new and continued work of student affairs professionals in the ever-changing and evolutionary nature of Higher Education. Questions about the symposium can be directed to [email protected].

Important Dates to Remember

Pre-Symposium Workshops and Events: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
UL Symposium: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Location: George Mason University (Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus)
Registration closes mid May 2025

To learn more about the 2025 UL Student Success Symposium, please see the event’s program overview and learning outcomes here.

Announcements from George Mason Center for Community Mental Health

Center for Community Mental Health Services

Are you struggling with anxiety? Concerns? Need some support? George Mason’s Center for Community Mental Health offers two emotional support lines (English & Spanish) and 3 FREE coping skills therapy sessions to anyone connected to George Mason (students, staff, faculty, and contractors). Sessions are virtual and there is NO waitlist! Sessions are confidential and do NOT connect with your George Mason record or employment. Find more information on Emotional Support Line numbers and request for sessions.

Raising Kids in a Changing Landscape workshop – March 20

RSVP by scanning QR code in image below. Zoom link will be provided after registration.

Travel Well Clinic: Vaccine Clinic for International Travelers

The Travel Well clinic provides travelers with a convenient opportunity to get up to date on routine vaccines and receive any recommended travel-specific immunizations. Whether you’re heading abroad for work or leisure, staying protected against preventable diseases is essential.

The following vaccines will be available, and you may select from these when signing up for an appointment slot: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), and Meningitis. If your provider or a health official (like CDC or WHO) has suggested you receive another vaccine for your travel that is not listed here, please list that vaccine in the comments when registering and we will do our best to accommodate you at this clinic. Register for a vaccination appointment.

GMU Toastmasters Open House: “How to Become a TEDx Speaker”

Ready to take your public speaking to the next level? Join us for the GMU Toastmasters Open House and discover the secrets to landing your very own TEDx talk! Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insider knowledge, sharpen your speaking skills, and get one step closer to the TEDx stage!

Wednesday, March 12
Noon to 1 p.m.
Join in-person in Merten Hall, Room 3300 or by Zoom

Featured Speaker:
Mike Schmidtmann – Head of Speaker Curation at TEDx Warrenton

Mike will present “How to Become a TEDx Speaker,” offering expert insights on what makes a TED Talk truly memorable, how it differs from keynotes and Toastmasters speeches, and the types of topics that get selected and promoted. Learn the strategies to stand out and get chosen to deliver your own TEDx talk.

Stay connected and learn more about GMU Toastmasters:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn

Questions or Concerns?
Please email [email protected].

Announcements from Parking & Transportation

Reminder: Deadline for Rick Holt Active Transportation Advocate Award Extended
Nominations for the Rick Holt Active Transportation Advocate Award are still open and the deadline has been extended to March 14. If you or somebody you know embodies Rick’s drive, enthusiasm, and commitment for active transportation, we’d be delighted by your nomination. For more details and the nomination sheet.

Put this on your Radar: Bike to Mason Day
As the weather warms up and everything comes into bloom, take some time to enjoy the season by riding your bike to work! Stop by our table for refreshments, information, and giveaways at our annual Bike to Mason Day. This year’s event will be held on April 22 at the Fairfax Campus and on April 24 at Mason Square. Keep your eyes open for more information.

Did you know: Commuter Choice and Bike Commuter Choice
All full-time staff (non-student) are eligible to participate in our Commuter Choice and Bike Commuter Choice programs.

Commuter Choice: Employees can request up to $325.00 per month to put towards their commute by public transit or vanpool. This is a tax-free benefit paid for by the University. Any unused funds won’t roll over to the next month so please request what you need (this can be adjusted monthly).

Bike Commuter Choice: This program has four tiers based on how much you ride. The more you ride the higher the tier level and financial incentive. For more information please visit http://bike.gmu.edu and select the Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice Program.

Sign Up for MasonCommutes.com
Looking for someone to carpool with? Or a bike buddy? What to track how much CO2 you’re reducing while carpooling or riding to work? Check out MasonCommutes – the go-to site for planning your commute.

If you have any questions on this or any of the above, please contact Parking and Transportation at 3-2828 or via email at [email protected]

Manager Meetup: Navigating Age Difference in the Workplace

Age diversity can bring unique challenges and strengths, and it’s vital to have effective strategies to foster collaboration and inclusivity. Join the Supervision Collective at the March Manager Meetup to discuss strategies for navigating age differences in the workplace!

On Thursday, March 13 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., the Supervision Collective is hosting a Manager Meetup: Navigating Age Difference in the Workplace. In this session we will discuss how ageism in the workplace can manifest, affecting both younger and older employees, as well as strategies for combatting it to create a collaborative space across all age groups.