Category: April 2026

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 Outstanding Supervisor Award, sponsored by the Mason Staff Senate, seeks to recognize supervisors who routinely go above and beyond to provide unparalleled leadership, mentorship, and support within their departments or offices. Outstanding supervisors model and promote a positive work-life balance and strive to serve not only their departments or offices, but also their personnel.

During the Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony on April 14, the Staff Senate will recognize two awardees for outstanding supervisor:

• Ann Garner, assistant director, Career Advising, University Career Services
• Olga O’Brien, general manager, Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center

In addition to our two finalists, we would also like to recognize all of the outstanding supervisor nominees this year! Thank you for all you do to support your colleagues and the university!

2026 Nominees for Outstanding Supervisor:
Elizabeth Bartles
Ernest Barreto
Arne Bergquist
Rachel Cleaver
Kevin Connor
Krystal Dains
Birgit Debeerst
Elizabeth Dean
Michaela Ghosting
Jesse Guessford
Dr. Rebekah Hersch
Beverley Jackson
Kelly Keady
Jason King
Tonya Lawrence
Jason Limonta
Jenna McGwin
Robin Parker
Aliya Rinaldi
Tracy Shevlin
Korey Singleton
Amy Snyder
Julie Ta
Elizabeth Torrens

The Staff Senate April General Meeting featured guest speaker, Julie Zobel, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Administration and Operations. If you missed the meeting, or would like to rewatch the session, please review the recording.

The Office of Sustainability presented a brief recycling and Earth Month update.

 

 

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.