Mason Staff Senate

Category: Newsletter

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November 2021 Sustainability at Work

Sustainability at Work: November 2021

A green lightbulb with a seedling inside, on a darker green background. The logos of George Mason University and the Staff Senate. Heading reads Sustainability at work.

World Leaders are Gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, to Discuss Climate Change. So What? 

Hailed as the “last, best chance” to avoid catastrophic climate change, world leaders are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 to November 12 for the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP). There, they’re supposed to take action to meet the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. But are they? 

So, what is a COP? Why does it matter? And what’s next? Register for COP26 – What Happened There? What’s Next?, an interactive discussion featuring George Mason University’s academic and research experts, passionate students, and special guests. 

Join the discussion at 11 a.m. on November 23. You’ll learn what was said and done at COP 26, what needs to happen next, and how you can make a difference in the global fight against climate change. 

Register: https://go.gmu.edu/COP26Event 

This event is hosted in partnership among the Office of Sustainability, the Institute for a Sustainable Earth, the Center for Climate Change Communications, and the Environmental Science and Policy Department. 

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Profile of a Senator October 2021

Meet Kristen Wever: Staff Senator and Assistant Director of the GeorgeSquared Advanced Biomedical Sciences Program

Kristen Wever, Staff Senate. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Role: GeorgeSquared (G2), housed within the College of Science and located on the SciTech Campus, is a partnership between George Mason and Georgetown universities. It offers a nine-month pre-health preparatory, graduate-level program designed to help qualify students for medical, dental, or other health professional schools. I advise prospective, current and former G2 students and assist them on their journey to becoming health professionals. In addition, I assist with program development, recruitment, administrative duties, and much more!

Mason journey: I previously worked for Mason as an academic advisor for the School of Business from 2014 to 2016, left and worked with online Medical Laboratory Science programs for George Washington University for a few years and then found my way back to Mason in June 2019 when I started my current role. I love working in higher ed, especially in an advising role, and really enjoy making a difference in the lives of students and their academic and professional journeys.

Getting back to campus: When COVID started, I was pregnant with my second daughter so the shift to working from home with one child out of daycare and another on the way was quite a challenge, as it was for many. I have enjoyed being back on campus this fall (and having the kids back in daycare 🙂 ) and can say that I really did miss the routine! Most importantly, I missed seeing my colleagues and students. I am really proud of how Mason has handled the pandemic and I look forward to seeing the community work together in our “new normal.”

Best thing about working at Mason: This has been said countless times, but it’s true! The people I work with, the people I meet, are what make working at Mason so exciting. I love the diversity, the innovation and collaboration.

Why serve on the Staff Senate: I love being connected to various offices, campuses, etc. and seeing what else is being accomplished at Mason by the wonderful staff members. I enjoy being a part of a supportive group that is helping to ensure that all voices are being heard, especially during these unprecedented times.

At the end of the day: I love my family and friends and I love my job. Working with students day in and day out, hearing about different life stories, helping others on their journey towards becoming a health professional — someone who will really make a difference in this world — is very rewarding. Oh, and go Washington Football Team, Nats, CAPS, and Wiz!

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Profile of a Senator September 2021

Meet LaTisha Elcock: Staff Senator and Administrative Assistant, Helen Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities

LaTisha Elcock, Staff Senate. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Mason journey: I came to Mason in April of 2019 as a part-time employee. Since then, my duties have expanded and now include editorial assistant on an academic journal, early researcher on an Institute of Education Sciences grant, and most recently, student. I am currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Education Policy and, honestly, I could not be happier.

COVID-19 transition: Like most of the university, my team transitioned to remote work in March of 2020 and I am just beginning to return to the office. I was initially very nervous about the remote transition but everyone on my team was able to adjust in record time. My dining room table is now my office desk, and while my family no longer has a designated location for formal, in-house dinners, I can say that I have been super productive in my work-from-home space. My work is both rewarding and relevant.

Best thing about working for Mason: The people, including the staff and faculty, as well as all of the work that everyone is doing here at Mason. It inspires me so much. I believe that the university’s potential is limitless and I am beyond excited to see where GMU will be in 10 years.

Unique fact: Few things make me happier than creating a new recipe and baking a decadent dessert. When I am not working or shuttling my two active high schoolers from one event to another, I can be found in the kitchen working miracles with butter, sugar, and eggs.

Why I serve on the Staff Senate: As an undergraduate at Howard University, I became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In doing so, I pledged to provide service to all mankind. Whether I am volunteering at my kids’ school, serving on the board of my neighborhood pool, or presenting an issue to the university’s administration on behalf of my peers here at GMU, I believe strongly in working with and advocating for those whose voices may not always be heard.

At the end of the day: I love my job and am proud to be a Patriot. I am especially proud of the work that the Staff Senate does and hope to continue serving in this capacity for years to come.

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Profile of a Senator August 2021

Meet Anthony DeMaio: Staff Senator and Office Manager, Office of Undergraduate Education  

Role: I provide logistical and financial support to the Office of Fellowships, the Office of Academic Advising, the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECL), the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR), UNIV courses and programs, and the Mason Impact initiative. I get to work across all of these teams that work separately and together to make the undergraduate experience at Mason truly one-of-a-kind.

Mason journey: I came to Mason late in 2017 after spending 10 years running movie theaters in Florida, Maryland, and Virginia. When I started, we were a team of seven full-time employees, and half of the offices mentioned above did not exist. Since then, we have grown to a team of 18 employees, with a growing number of graduate assistants and undergraduate student workers.

Getting back to campus: Like many of you, I am trying to plan for the “next normal” that the fall semester brings for myself and my team. The last year has taught us that we can function entirely virtually, so we are taking those lessons to try and be as innovative with our approach to daily work as we are with developing transformational curricula and programs. I am excited to see how a hybrid approach to achieving our mission can allow us to pick the best outcomes from both in-person and virtual work environments.

Best thing about working at Mason: Seeing how much effort faculty and staff put in to try and provide a unique experience at Mason. Our office provides close to $1 million in grant funding to undergraduate students each year, and I know that there are countless others on campus who are trying to find engaging ways to challenge our students and enhance the impact they will make in the world.

Why serve on the Staff Senate: I have gotten to meet so many people working so hard to raise the profile of classified and wage employees through Staff Senate, and I am hopeful that I can bring a little bit of an outside perspective to our work. It’s been wonderful seeing so many people attend our monthly meetings and engaging in the events we have been able to put on this past year. Hopefully we will all be able to safely get together real soon!

At the end of the day: I enjoy spending time with my family, playing soccer, and playing every kind of board/card/video/dice/tile/miniatures game you can imagine. I am so thankful for the work-life balance Mason provides so that I can indulge in all of my hobbies!

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Profile of a Senator July 2021

Meet Erin Iacangelo Rogers: Staff Senate Chair and Event Coordinator, SciTech Executive Office

Erin Iacangelo Rogers, Chair, Staff Senate. Photo by Creative Services / George Mason University

 

ROLES: I manage SciTech event requests through 25Live, handle contracting with non-Mason event clients, give tours of the event spaces, provide logistical support to event clients, and provide coordination services for special events. This position allows me to be more connected with our Mason community and the surrounding community.

COVID-19 TRANSITION: The transition to telework and virtual programming was hard on events. We had to act fast in the event office to pivot and support virtual events. This meant doing industry research to find and purchase the best equipment to support this new virtual world. As restrictions reduced we also had to adapt to hybrid events and what that would look like for us and our clients. I’m thankful for the opportunities this presented me. I was able to learn a lot about managing virtual and hybrid events and expanded on my skill set as an event coordinator.

MASON JOURNEY: I began my Mason journey as a freshman in fall 2008 in the young degree of tourism and events management. In early 2010 I started working for University Life SciTech as the assistant special event coordinator then moved on to Artist Services with the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts. I briefly left Mason after graduating in 2012 then returned in 2015 in my current position as event coordinator. I just couldn’t stay away from the Mason Nation community! In my time at Mason I was nominated to serve on the Staff Senate in 2016, became co-chair to the events committee, nominated as vice chair in 2019 and as of this month have begun to serve as chair. I’m excited to see how my journey continues.

WHY I SERVE ON STAFF SENATE: Working out of the Executive Office provides numerous opportunities to collaborate with Mason leadership and VIPs outside of the university. I saw the senate as a great opportunity to expand my Mason knowledge, network, advocate, and be more in the pulse of the university.

AT THE END OF THE DAY: I am a Mason Patriot whether on the clock or at home. I am always finding myself working Mason into conversation. When I do disconnect from work I enjoy spending time with my two bunnies, new puppy, and going on hikes with my husband.

 

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July 2021 Sustainability at Work

Sustainability at Work: July 2021

A green lightbulb with a seedling inside, on a darker green background. The logos of George Mason University and the Staff Senate. Heading reads Sustainability at work.

Single-Use Plastics and Polystyrene are Banned at George Mason University

Governor Northam signed Executive Order 77 in March 2021 effectively banning single-use plastics and polystyrene from state agencies, including Mason. Mason purchasers and vendors, please review guidance (below) about acceptable items you can purchase as alternatives after July 21, 2021.   

As an overall waste reduction strategy, let’s reframe our thinking to “Buy Less, Buy Better.” If you purchase giveaways, support sustainability by purchasing durable, climate-neutral reusables, or contact the task force.  

Questions?    

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Profile of a Senator June 2021

Meet Alyssa Goff: Staff Senator and Administrator, Freshman Programs, Global Education Office

Meet Alyssa Goff: Staff Senator and Administrator, Freshman Programs, Global Education Office

ROLES: My primary role is to recruit, retain, and engage our ever-growing 200+ freshmen Global Gateway students who study abroad their second semester at Mason through the Global Education Office (GEO). This position has allowed me to grow in many of my strengths from social media management to building a rapport with our cohort via engagement programs to teaching UNIV-108, a specialized transition to Mason course. Teaching UNIV-108 is my favorite duty because it keeps me connected to the students.

COVID-19 TRANSITION: Like all Mason offices, GEO had to pivot our programs from in-person to virtual as much as we could, given study abroad is all about the experience. Our team had to find creative alternatives such as virtual internships and virtually attending a school abroad. Global Gateway was able to send 35 freshmen to Mason Korea for the Spring 2021 semester, and COVID-19 certainly added another level of stress for their transportation. Six hundred students studied abroad, interned abroad, or enrolled in virtual international experiences. It has been a busy time transitioning to telework and monitoring the pandemic around the world but it has also shined a light on many new online opportunities!

MASON JOURNEY: I began my Mason journey as a freshman in fall 2014! Time truly flies seven year later. My professional journey started in 2018, and I started my graduate coursework with the Tuition Exemption Benefit offered to all Mason staff. I completed my M.A. in Higher Education this year. In my three years, I have worked in a variety of offices within the university, and I am so grateful for the unique experiences contributing to where I am today in GEO. From undergraduate student to the role I have now, I hope my mix of experiences leads to being a successful Staff Senator offering a different perspective.

WHY I SERVE ON STAFF SENATE: I wanted to be a voice for the new staff who are finding their place at Mason and connect with more colleagues across campus. Staff Senate is a great place to remember why we work here and help each other out.

AT THE END OF THE DAY: I am a young professional, new dog-mom, and excited to see where Mason will take me! I wear many hats on and off campus, and I look forward to this new opportunity to improve Mason for our staff. GEO is a place for students to have a study abroad experience and also a place for individuals to grow and prosper. Mason has given me so much since I was a student, and I enjoy being able to give back through my work with Staff Senate.

Fast Facts about the Global Education Office

  • Students can choose from among more than 220 programs.
  • GEO maintains more than 100 partnerships in over 60 countries.
  • Each year GEO offers $500,000 in scholarships for study abroad.
  • Pre-pandemic, more than 1,750 students studied abroad during the academic year.
  • The United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and South Korea are among the most popular destinations.
  • Global Gateway has become a signature program for GEO and Mason, currently enrolling more than 200 students for the new academic year.
  • Some students participate in multiple programs and even graduate early.

Follow GEO and the Global Gateway

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Profile of a Senator May 2021

Meet Stephanie Zeher: Staff Senator and Office Manager/Executive Assistant in the School of Integrative Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Stephanie Zeher, Office Manager/Executive Assistant, School of Integrative Studies. Photo by Creative Services

ROLES: I wear many hats in the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) and love each one. SIS enables students to design an individualized course of study or choose from many concentrations. I help faculty with the promotion and tenure process, run our website and social media accounts, execute all the hiring contracts for full-time faculty and adjunct faculty, and serve on our scholarship committee, among other things!

One of my favorite parts of my job is planning our SIS Degree Celebration Ceremony, annually held in the Center for the Arts. The past two years have been a much different experience but I truly believe the university has done its best to make it as special as possible for the students. The logistics of planning a graduation event range from student awards, live and streamed music, program creation, day-of timelines, scripts, and so much more! I love seeing it all come together and the joy in the students’ faces when they cross the stage.

I’ve been working a 32-hour-a-week schedule since 2015, which contributes to a wonderful work-life balance.

MASON JOURNEY: This September will mark my 15th year at Mason. My first job was in the Office of the Registrar at the ripe age of 21. I spent seven years in the degree compliance section, still some of my fondest memories at Mason. I also took advantage of the staff tuition waiver and completed a graduate certificate in higher education administration. I then spent two years in the College of Education and Human Development as the advising and outreach coordinator within the Academic Affairs Office. I went back to the Registrar’s Office for another two years as the consortium coordinator before taking my current role in the School of Integrative Studies four years ago.

You might say I’ve been around the block! My hope is that the variety of my work experiences lends itself to being a successful Staff Senator. This is my second time serving on the Staff Senate. The first was from 2011 to 2013.

BEST THING ABOUT WORKING AT MASON: The people! I’m always blown away at the amazing things faculty are researching and accomplishing in their fields. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the finest staff around! I’m so grateful for the friendships I’ve developed over the years. I love making new staff connections across campus. The students at Mason are so inspiring, especially during this past year. They are so resilient and carry so much more on their shoulders than I did when I was their age.

WHY I SERVE ON THE SENATE: I am one of the biggest cheerleaders Mason can have! I’m always singing the praises of the amazing environment this campus provides to all its constituents. On the flip side, if I feel as though a process or policy can be done better or is lacking a staff point of view, then I’m also the first to use my voice. I tend to get pretty passionate about issues as well. A few things I’m currently working on are implementing a flexible plastic recycling program (Trex’s “Bags to Benches”), encouraging the university to divest from fossil fuels, increasing child care options on campus for students, making senior leadership aware of the new software platform fatigue that staff are feeling, and bringing my 15 years of experience to the newly formed Faculty and Staff Experience (formerly called the Quality Work Life) Committee.

UNIQUE FACT: I’ve made 464 wreaths since the summer of 2019! I’ve sold 393 and given away 71. I do all the holidays and mostly use burlap and florals in my designs. I am so grateful to have a craft and hobby that has kept me entertained, especially with all the time we spent indoors in 2020. But don’t be surprised if you catch me on the soccer field watching my two boys (ages 5 and 7) play while also building a wreath.

AT THE END OF THE DAY: I have every intention of retiring from Mason. Something that I’d really like to do before I retire is to attend a study abroad trip with Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL), housed within the School of Integrative Studies.

 

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Profile of a Senator April 2021

Meet Stacy D’Angelo: Staff Senator and Marketing Coordinator, Office of Communications and Marketing

Stacy D'Angelo, Staff SenateROLES: My role is to assist in the coordination, execution, and reporting on university-level marketing efforts, which often involves new tasks and responsibilities. For example, last summer I helped the Office of Continuing and Professional Education work toward its marketing goals. This past fall, I was the interim social media manager. (David Loughner is our new and amazing social media manager.) These opportunities strengthened my relationships with units throughout Mason while enhancing my goal to boost university-wide collaboration. One of my favorite duties is leading the monthly marketing group meeting. This provides an opportunity for university marketers to stay informed about the processes, tools, and changes that directly affect our success. The meeting is open to any staff member, so reach out if you’re interested.

COVID-19 TRANSITION: My transition was similar to many other parents out there. Overnight, my husband and I found ourselves working from home with our 3-year-old son. Our days were longer—beginning at dawn and often ending well into the night. As difficult as it was, I’m so thankful for all the extra memories we were able to make. My son returned to the Mason Child Development Center in September, where they have all been so incredible over the last year, and our schedules have returned (somewhat) to normal. Be sure to take time to thank the teachers and child care workers in your life. They are amazing!

BEST THING ABOUT WORKING AT MASON: I have never worked where the work/life balance is as valued as it is here. Coming to Mason has been eye-opening to what can be possible when an employer values this aspect of its employees’ health.

UNIQUE FACT: I’m from Mars! (Pennsylvania)

SUSTAINABILITY: Happy Earth Month! I feel very strongly about doing my part to make sure our earth is beautiful for future generations. One of the reasons I joined the Staff Senate was to work sustainability into the conversation. With the recent development of the ad-hoc committee Environmental Justice and Sustainability, we are beginning to identify the issues to address and potential initiatives to involve the staff in contributing to the university’s commitment to a healthy planet. This Earth Month, I ask you to think about what little changes you can make in your daily lives to make a difference. “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” – Anne-Marie Bonneau, author and environmentalist.

 

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Profile of a Senator March 2021

Meet Natalie Davis: Staff Senator and Research Initiatives Specialist, Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact (ORIEI)

Natalie Davis, her son Leo, and husband Stephen.

Roles: Primarily, I support the Vice President for Research, though I also provide support to our various offices and departments throughout. Overall, I help keep our day-to-day operations and initiatives running smoothly; as with most of us, this encompasses a number of duties and responsibilities. I love what I do, and I am consistently grateful to work with so many fabulous people! I enjoy seeing what the faculty and staff accomplish in research, and I’m glad to be part of this office and the larger Mason community.

Mason journey: I received my bachelor’s degree from Mason in Integrative Studies and held an internship my senior year with the Office of Admissions. This led me to realize how much I loved working in higher education. My first professional role at Mason was at INTO Mason, which was such an incredible experience. I have held two positions since then – one as Executive Assistant to the Provost, and now my current role, both of which have been tremendously rewarding. Overall, my time at Mason amounts to roughly 8.5 years, and I’m looking forward to many more!

COVID-19 transition: When COVID-19 first hit, I was serving in my previous role. I was assisting the Provost and our immediate team in any way possible, which especially included scheduling many meetings to prepare for what was to come and shifting and adjusting a lot of what we had on the calendar. It also included a lot of organizing and coordinating with my colleagues to ensure we had what we needed to transition to telework and responding to constituent concerns. At this same time, we were also preparing for the transition between our former provost and our current provost. It was a busy time, but manageable with so many excellent colleagues!

Staff support for research: I want to especially highlight all the wonderful staff and faculty who are part of research at Mason. Mason is one of the youngest universities (if not the youngest) selected by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as one of the top research universities in the country. While many of us working at Mason hear this often, it is a genuinely amazing achievement. Mason reported just over $220M in research for fiscal year 2020, a record high for the university. I want to give a shout-out to our staff throughout ORIEI, the units, and the university overall who do so much to support research at Mason. While we absolutely cannot perform research without our faculty, many staff also greatly contribute to making our research possible and supporting these endeavors. Especially in the era of COVID, there was so much our staff did to help support our faculty and ongoing research, and many processes that had to adapt quite quickly to keep things running smoothly. I’m really proud to work with such amazing people!

Best thing about working at Mason: There are so many possible answers to this question! I suppose if I had to choose one thing only, it would be the people (as so many before me have agreed!). Mason is what it is because of the wonderful staff, faculty, and students. I loved my time as a student, and I have greatly enjoyed every role I have served in professionally, and it’s all credit to the amazing people who are part of the Mason community and the environment we have all helped shape. I especially love that I have learned so much from those around me, and the diversity that Mason has.

Why I serve on Staff Senate: Should I say again that I just really love Mason? But because of that, while there are so many positives to working here and my experiences have overall been really great, I know that there are also things we can improve! I’ve always been passionate about making a difference where I can, and I believe serving on Staff Senate is a great place to do just that. I especially love finding ways to appreciate and recognize our staff, and to help advocate for an even better Mason. It’s really just an honor to be part of making a positive impact for our community!

Role model: A fun fact is that one of the people I most admire in all of history is William Wilberforce. The work he did for social justice (which tremendously includes ending the slave trade in England, but also many other things) astounds me. There is so much that we can contribute to our own communities and those around us if we only try. Wilberforce may have spearheaded many movements and initiatives, but he had many standing alongside him. In whatever role it may be, we all have a chance to contribute to creating a better world.

At the end of the day: I am a full-time working mother (to my spunky 2-year-old son), a wife, and a Christian. I’m incredibly passionate about peacebuilding, and I hope to bring some of these principles into the work I do at Mason and on Staff Senate. I look forward to serving our staff and helping make Mason even better than it already is. I am grateful for the education, flexibility, kind colleagues, learning opportunities, and career path that Mason has provided me and I look forward to “giving back” through my work here.