Mason Staff Senate
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Profile of a Senator January 2026

Meet Sarah Alharshan, Staff Senator and Academic Advisor, Information Sciences & Technology (IST) Department    

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. 

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January 2026 February 2026

Faculty and Staff Teaching Opportunity

 

University Studies is hiring George Mason faculty and staff to teach UNIV 100 – ‘Introduction to George Mason’ in Fall 2026. Visit the University Studies webpage to learn more about this opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of first-year students. Attend an information session for more information. Complete an application by February 18, 2026.

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January 2026

January Benefits Corner: Mason Career Academy

George Mason University will provide you access to job-aligned career training through Coursera’s online courses and help you gain industry professional certificates and micro-credentials from the world’s leading companies, such as Google, Meta, IBM and more. Whether you’re navigating a career transition or looking to boost your skills for the next big opportunity, Mason Career Academy is here to help!

Mason Career Career Academy gives Current Students, Faculty and Staff FREE access to 90+ online courses and Specializations on Coursera, the global online learning platform. Take any course you want, whenever you want. Learn new skills, explore a new subject, or advance your career goals. Earn a Coursera certificate to share on LinkedIn or your resume. To take advantage of this opportunity, you must have a Mason email address to enroll.

These certificates can increase earning potential, help you stand out with employers, and support your success, role changes, and career advancements. To take advantage of the preferred pricing and get full access to the Mason Career Academy and Career Academy Plus catalog, register through George Mason’s Continuing and Professional Education and start your upskilling journey today.

You can learn more about the Mason Career Academy on their website.

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January 2026

Introducing Senior Director of Energy and Sustainability, Lara Spader

 

 

George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) would like to extend a warm welcome to their new Senior Director of Energy and Sustainability, Lara Spader. Joining George Mason in late 2025, Lara has begun her role in overseeing the Energy, Sustainability, and Central Heating & Cooling (CHCP) teams, bringing them together for the first time at George Mason University. Learn more about Lara and her role on the Facilities website.

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January 2026

Facilities C3 All Together Different Spotlight

Meet Alex Iszard, AVP, Planning, Design & Construction, here at George Mason University’s Facilities and Campus Operations (F&CO) division. Having started his career path with F&CO as a George Mason student, Iszard’s work is visible in many of the buildings across the Fairfax, Science and Technology, and Mason Square campuses. Whether a simple utility upgrade, a classroom renovation, or a brand-new facility, Iszard works to ensure all projects will contribute to the university’s mission for years to come. The Culture Champion Committee’s (C3) Spotlight video series recognizes F&CO employees and their essential work supporting the mission of the university. Stay tuned for additional videos spotlighting some of the more than 500 Facilities employees.

Watch Alex’s video here.

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January 2026

December 2025 Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month Spotlight

Congratulations to Mirwais Safi, Construction Field Representative, for being recognized as the December 2025 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Safi was nominated by Cathy Pinskey, Capital Program Director. In addition to this nomination, Safi has received multiple nominations and letters of support for one of George Mason’s 2025 Outstanding Achievement Awards from members of F&CO leadership and university partners.

Learn more about Mirwais on the Facilities website!

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January 2026 February 2026

2026 Outstanding Achievement Awards: Call for Nominations

The Outstanding Achievement Awards (OAA) are a cherished George Mason tradition, honoring the dedication and accomplishments of faculty and staff.

Last year, refreshed award categories led to a 146% increase in nominations! This year, Human Resources has decided to continue with those categories to ensure all non-student employee classifications have the opportunity to be recognized.

Submit Your Nomination Today

Visit the Outstanding Achievement Award website to review categories and nominate an individual or team. Nominations must be submitted via Dynamic Forms by Friday, February 20 at 5 p.m. (including all final workflow signatures).

Reflect on colleagues who have positively impacted your team or community and nominate them today! Recognizing a colleague not only expresses appreciation for their contributions but also nurtures a culture of recognition and appreciation at George Mason. 

Save the Date

The Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 14 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in Dewberry Hall. Winners will be announced by early April.

For any inquiries, please contact [email protected].

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December 2025 January 2026

February 2026 General Meeting Announcement

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.

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December 2025 January 2026

Programs Serving Minors Summit

Governor’s School students on the Science and Technology Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

NOTE: Due to inclement weather in the region, this event will now take place 100% virtually. To join the event, see the instructions below.

Operational Risk Management will host a virtual Summit for Programs Serving Minors on Tuesday, Jan. 27 starting at 1:00 p.m. Representatives from a variety of campus offices will share presentations about the policies and procedures for hosting activities for minors at the university. University departments are encouraged to attend if they offer a program, event, or camp that serves minors, host minors in internships or mentorships, or are planning to develop such a program.

Presentations will cover information and guidance from University Events, Human Resources, Office of Access, Compliance, and Community, Housing and Residence Life, Risk, Safety, and Resilience, Parking and Transportation, Fiscal Services, Mason Dining, and the Office of University Branding. Following the presentations, there will be a Q&A session and an opportunity to connect directly with campus partners.

Join Virtually on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. EST:
Join Teams meeting
Meeting ID: 241 112 541 584 93
Passcode: N9yg6yZ9
Dial in by phone+1 571-397-2084,,862993368# United States, Washington
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 862 993 368#