Mason Staff Senate

Category: Profile of a Senator

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December 2024 Profile of a Senator

Meet Jackie Krehbiel Staff Senator and Admin and Finance Coordinator, SciTech Campus Executive Office

Jackie Krehbiel Staff Senator and Admin and Finance Coordinator, SciTech Campus Executive Office

Role: I am responsible for managing and analyzing financial performance for the Science and Technology Campus Executive Office Revenue and Operations budgets. I process, track, and reconcile financial transactions and produce monthly reconciliation reports through TouchNet, MicroStrategy, and Banner. Part of my responsibilities include assisting the Executive Office Associate Director of Administration with the Science and Technology Campus Advisory Board and performing administrative duties for the Science and Technology Leadership Council. I am also responsible for maintaining the SciTech Campus and Potomac Science Center websites and information boards across the campus. I am the Telecom Coordinator and Equipment Liaison for the office. I also greet, direct, and assist visitors, customers, and students with accurate and reliable information while providing a welcoming atmosphere in the reception area of the Executive Office. 

 

George Mason journey: I previously was employed at a major university in my hometown and after moving to Virginia and watching the youngest graduate from high school, I wanted to return to work in higher education. I initially began my employment as part-time in the department of Environmental Science and Policy in September 2018 and transitioned to fulltime eight weeks later with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety/Lab Safety at the Science and Technology campus in November 2018. In November 2022 I joined the staff of the Executive Office. 

 

Best thing about working at George Mason: The best thing about working at George Mason is the opportunity to develop strong, close, working relationships with an immensely talented group of people from across all campuses. While having distance and diversity between our campuses, there is a closeness among the university population that looks and acts quite similar to family dynamics. 

 

Why serve on the Staff Senate: Serving on the Staff Senate allows me the opportunity to be a voice for our workforce, to learn and grow as an individual, and becoming familiar with the needs of such a multifaceted and dynamic group of people. As I work with this group, they instill in me the desire to think beyond myself and see the bigger picture of service to the community instead of only just self-service. 

 

At the end of the day:  We, as Staff Senators, are collectively engaged in helping our fellow colleagues across all campuses and in doing so we are supporting each other with optimism as we strive to bring about change and the willingness and drive to do so. In the words of The Dalai Lama, “Optimism doesn’t mean that you are blind to the reality of the situation. It means that you remain motivated to seek a solution to whatever problems arise.” 

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November 2024 Profile of a Senator

Meet Lisa Shapiro, Staff Senator and Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship programs, Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact

Lisa Shapiro, Staff Senator and Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship programs, Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact

Role: As Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship programs, I create and manage several programs geared towards student innovators, faculty researchers, founders, and early-stage startups assisting them with their business venture explorations. On any given day, I am at the Mason Innovation Exchange (The MIX) incubator working with a George Mason student who would like to start a business but doesn’t know how to get started. 

George Mason journey: As a two-time George Mason alum, BA Psychology ’03, M.Ed ’06, full-time employee, and now George Mason student mom, I am a proud member of the Mason Nation. While studying, I also served as a GRA for Dr. Nada Dabbagh, and from 2020 to 2023, I served as the Program Coordinator of the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) which is the state-wide Commercialization program that assists Virginia-based technology and innovation-driven startups on their path to success. As an entrepreneur and through ICAP, I discovered my passion for working with entrepreneurs.  

Best thing about working at George Mason: Having the autonomy to create and do what I love. In Spring 2024, I created the MIX Student Innovator Mastermind, the first of its kind, to assist young George Mason entrepreneurs who seek to create and grow a business venture – but need additional support. Regardless of their major or year, this dynamic community of ten or more driven student innovators come together weekly to move the needle forward on growing their business. The Mastermind helps to supercharge their ideas through peer-to-peer collaboration and shared wisdom by being a part of a community of like-minded go-getters. They get valuable entrepreneurial advice by meeting and hearing from experts each week to teach them entrepreneurship fundamentals, grow their network, and to learn about helpful resources smoothing their path to success.  

 Why serve on the Staff Senate: I joined the Staff Senate to deepen my understanding of George Mason’s diverse units, foster collaboration, and advocate for staff needs. I want to expand my knowledge of our goals and initiatives of the different colleges, departments, and offices, to collaborate and network more with colleagues, and advocate for the needs of staff university wide. I have already met so many wonderful staff that I did not know and learned about their work.  

 At the end of the day: I am doing work that I love, and I feel valued for my contribution.  

 

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October 2024 Profile of a Senator

Meet Tiffany Sandstrum, Staff Senator and Senior Academic Advisor, School of Kinesiology

Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

Role: I work with undergraduate students in the Kinesiology program. I advise them on classes and work with them to ensure that they are meeting their goals while they are at George Mason and what they need to do to be successful in the future. Many of my students plan to go to graduate school so we look at prerequisites as well to make sure that they are ready to apply at the appropriate time.

George Mason Journey: I started my George Mason journey in January 2011 in the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (now School of Systems Biology) as a part-time Office Assistant. I became full time in 2013 with the School of Recreation, Health and Tourism as an Administrative Assistant. During COVID I was given the opportunity with the School of Kinesiology to be an Academic Advisor and I have thrived. I love working with our students! I am thankful for the many opportunities that George Mason has afforded me as an employee and thankful to my supervisors who have given me opportunities to grow.

Best thing about working at George Mason: For me, working with the students is the best part of working at George Mason. I look forward to orientations for new students, working with them while they are here and seeing the happiness in them and their families at graduation. They are the reason we are here and I look forward to working with the students for many years to come.

Why serve on the Staff Senate: All staff need to feel like they are represented and that they have a safe space to talk about their work lives at George Mason. I am happy to be that safe space and represent the SciTech campus so that hopefully we can get more services on the SciTech campus.

At the end of the day: I am happiest when I am helping others.

 

 

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July 2024 Profile of a Senator

Meet Jariatu Bah, Staff Senator & Office Manager

Headshot of Jariatu Bah
Jariatu Bah, Office Manger, Academic Affairs Office, CHSS

Role: I am responsible for overseeing the CHSS Academic Affairs Office as the Office Manager. My duties include managing the Academic Affairs reception area, handling student walk-ins for various Academic Affairs teams, scheduling meetings for the Graduate and Undergraduate Academic Affairs teams, as well as for the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean of Graduate Academic Affairs. Additionally, I handle HR coordination tasks such as processing the hiring of instructors for unit courses and student workers. I am also responsible for submitting Graduate Assistants contracts and coordinating the CHSS Graduate Dean’s Challenge and Undergraduate Outstanding Student Process and coordinate awardee notification and payment with the CHSS Advancement team.

Mason journey: I initially became part of the Mason from 1999 to 2001 and then returned in 2010 as a part-time wage staff. I transitioned into a full-time role as a classified staff employee in 2011.

Best thing about working at Mason: The best part of working at Mason is its wonderful diversity of faculty, students, and staff.

Why serve on the Staff Senate: I feel like it’s time for me to give back by sharing the administrative skills and knowledge that I’ve gained over the years. Additionally, I plan to enhance my professional development growth by gaining a better understanding of working in a diverse institution and collaborating with other Mason staff members from different backgrounds.

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Profile of a Senator June 2024

Meet Timothy Diggins, Staff Senator & Administrative Specialist

Timothy Diggins, Administrative Specialist, Mechanical Engineering, College Engineering and Computing. Photo by: Creative Services/George Mason University

Role: I support the Department of Mechanical Engineering in a number of ways. I manage our office spaces on the Fairfax and Sci-Tech campuses, coordinate department hiring, plan the department’s major events like Senior Capstone Day, maintain the department’s website, and manage our student office assistants. I also serve as an academic advisor and am working to overhaul our onboarding process for graduate students.

Mason journey: I joined Mason in May of 2021 after working in higher education for two years. Joining the university in the midst of the pandemic and starting remotely was a strange experience, but the fantastic Mechanical Engineering and College of Engineering and Computing team made the transition easy. This summer, I began my master’s in Higher Education and Student Development in order to continue my career development.

Best thing about working at Mason: The most rewarding thing about working at Mason is that I’m able to pursue various professional interests and fold them into my current position. Taking advantage of the continuing education opportunities at Mason and learning from others has been an amazing experience.

Why serve on the Staff Senate: In a large organization with such a diverse staff, advocacy work is essential to maintaining a quality workplace. Joining Staff Senate gave me the opportunity to learn how to do this kind of work to benefit Mason as a whole. It also gives me the opportunity to network outside my unit and learn about all the other work happening on campus.

At the end of the day: Working with others to improve campus and support others is incredibly satisfying. Mason has transformed in many ways during my short time here, and I’m excited to see where the next few years takes us.

 

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April 2024 Profile of a Senator

Meet Lei An Ilan-Garcia, Staff Senator and Industrial Hygiene Specialist, Risk, Safety, & Resilience

Lei An Ilan-Garcia, Staff Senator and Industrial Hygiene Specialist, Risk, Safety, & Resilience

Role: Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) is a part of Risk, Safety, & Resilience (RSR). EHS collaborates with the university community to ensure a safe workplace and learning environment. EHS provides resources and programs relevant for Mason faculty, staff, and students. I work as an Industrial Hygiene Specialist where some of my duties include providing safety training and conducting assessments that pertain to workplace health and safety (i.e. indoor air quality, noise hazards, respiratory protection, etc.). More information about EHS and RSR can be found, here. 

Mason journey:  I joined EHS as an Industrial Hygiene Specialist in June 2022. Prior to working at George Mason University, I worked as an Environmental Health Specialist at various local agencies and inspected restaurants, public swimming pools, and tattoo parlors. In addition to working for EHS, I’m also pursuing a Master of Public Health here at George Mason University.

Best thing about working at Mason: I love the work-life balance here at Mason and the opportunities for personal and professional development. I also enjoy working with my colleagues, and I couldn’t ask for a better team!

Why serve on the Staff Senate: I want to support and advocate for my fellow Mason staff in any way I can and joining Staff Senate provides me that opportunity.

At the end of the day: I enjoy working at Mason, and I’m glad I can help fellow Mason staff by being a part of a group that maintains workplace health and safety.

 

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March 2024 Profile of a Senator

Meet Megan Neff-Boyle, Staff Senator and Event and Scheduling Coordinator

 

Megan and her energy filled Dachshund Pomeranian, Chewy, who is her fur-child and never leaves her side.

Role: In my role within University Events, I am the scheduler for all student events. I oversee all 25live requests submitted by registered student organizations (RSOs) and assist those students in planning successful events. Part of my role is to oversee our checklist process which was put in place to assist RSOs in planning and managing the larger events they throw. I also play a role in coordinating and running our overall university commencements in spring and winter. Last spring commencement I had the role of lining up and leading all of the graduates in their processional walk from Wilkins Plaza to EagleBank Arena, a pretty cool experience for sure. After that experience I have been tasked with continuing in the role of overseeing all outdoor operations we handle for commencements and degree celebrations.

Mason journey: My Mason journey started in 2016 when I started my undergraduate degree here. During my time in undergrad, I worked for Event Services for 3 years, and during my last year of employment served as the President of the Student Advisory Board advocating for my fellow student staff. I also served on 2 committees within the Advisory Board that assisted with coordinating student employment training and planned numerous events for the staff as well. I was a police cadet on campus from 2018- 2020 where I, along with my fellow cadets, conducted traffic control, patrol, and expanding our community presence. In 2020, I graduated with a BA in Criminology, Law, and Society. In 2021, I returned to Mason in a full-time position working for University Information (now Campus Information and Visitor Services) where I managed the university information desks and switchboard. In 2022, I switched positions to be in my current position within University Events. I also started a Juris Master’s in criminal justice at our Antonin Scalia Law School in January 2022, I am currently in my second to last semester of the program and will be graduating this December!

Best thing about working at Mason: The family that Mason’s environment creates. Over my entire time at Mason the friendships I have created have been the most memorable. At this point, all of my good friends I have met through one of my many jobs over the years at Mason.

Why serve on Staff Senate: Serving on Staff Senate just felt like the next best step in growing even more as a Mason staff member. I have always enjoyed being an advocate for others but also gaining knowledge. I thought this role would be the best of both worlds, especially since I love to connect with those outside of my day-to-day.

At the end of the day: I am a proud Mason alum and staff member who values every opportunity Mason has provided me. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve on the Staff Senate and hope to grow even more in this role.

 

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February 2024 Profile of a Senator

Meet Tabatha Hargrove, Staff Senator and Student Support Coordinator

Headshot of Tabatha Hargrove
Tabatha Hargrove. Photo by: Creative Services/George Mason University

Personal background: Dr. Tabatha Hargrove is a native of Suffolk, Virginia and is married with four children. She has a Miniature Pinscher dog named Tangie. As hobbies, Tabatha loves to read, roller skate, bake, and spend time with family.

Professional journey: Tabatha has over ten years of experience working in higher education. She has worked for the state for six of those ten years and transferred to George Mason in September 2022. She loves working for George Mason because the university is innovative and forward thinking. Her position allows her to embrace her broad-based background to serve each student holistically.

Professional background: Her broad background based in both Academic and Student Affairs includes the following: career and academic advising, tutoring and writing center supervisor, college success specialist, academic coaching and advising, as well as teaching and program administrator. This background has given her the knowledge, skills, and ability to help serve students in the Honors College as the Student Support Coordinator.

Why I serve on the Staff Senate: Tabatha joined the Staff Senate in August 2023 and although new to the Senate, she has served in the same capacity at her previous institution. Tabatha looks forward to serving and advocating for staff, along with helping her fellow staff senate colleagues on the Staff Engagement and Rewards committee and the Staff Senate’s 25th anniversary event.

 

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April 2023 Profile of a Senator

Meet April Lopez, Staff Senator and Administrative Assistant to the Director, Division of Special Education and disAbility Research

April Lopez, Staff Senator and administrative assistant to the director, Division of Special Education and disAbility Research.

Role: I work with a great team of people who provide fantastic support for our students who are preparing to take on sometimes difficult but always essential roles as educators and other professionals supporting people with disabilities. I spend a lot of time on curriculum development, ensuring that our programs are up to date with the latest requirements for teacher licensure and other certifications, and that we’re responding to student demand for new course offerings on different aspects of disability. Another large part of my role is to admit students to our graduate programs, which can be traditional on-campus programs, cohort programs in cooperation with local school divisions, and fully online programs. And I also act as the HR Liaison for the division – it really is a very varied role.

Mason journey: I joined Mason in my current role in the fall of 2019. My husband was already working in the College of Science, and my son had just started at the Child Development Center, so then we were a complete Mason family!

Best thing about working at Mason: The vast majority of people at Mason are working towards advancing and improving the university, and while they all have that goal in common, there are so many different views about what that actually means. To my mind, that’s great insofar as it creates this tension that builds on the strengths of the university, so that the whole is so much more than the sum of the parts; and at the same time, it’s so important that, as individuals and as an institution overall, we’re maintaining a level of awareness and decency that ensures the needs of less-advantaged members of our community are heard and uplifted. The recent Vision Day focus on student food insecurity is a great example, as are the programs that are run across campus to help create a safer, more welcoming and inclusive environment for marginalized communities within the university.

On a personal note, my favorite thing about being on campus in Fairfax is being able to step out of my office at lunchtime and go and sit under a tree or in a little forest. It’s my strong hope that we continue to recognize the value of the wooded areas that are such a feature of this campus and find a way to preserve them even as the university expands and develops.

Why I serve on the Staff Senate: I stood for Staff Senate in order to promote the sustainability issues that I care deeply about. I’m happy to be part of the revived Environmental Justice and Sustainability ad hoc committee, and to be working in partnership with University Sustainability and others across the campuses, especially now in Earth Month, to encourage everyone to reimagine what they can do to work towards a greener Mason. I’m also in the process of building an online community that is intended to act as a hub for people to connect with each other about environmental and sustainability issues and to enable more people to work together to take action and advocate for change.

At the end of the day: I believe that, as staff, we support and sustain each other as we support the institution. There’s a quote I keep coming back to: “Everything worthwhile is done with other people.” I hope that I can use my time as a senator to do something worthwhile, and to do so with others.

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Profile of a Senator March 2023

Meet Susan Brionez, Staff Senator and Office Manager, School of Dance, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Susan Brionez

 

Role: One of the most exciting opportunities we offer dance majors at Mason is the experience of performing in significant dance works of master choreographers. I am fortunate to work closely with these world-class guest artists to book travel and housing arrangements, blending their busy schedules with the classes and rehearsals of our dance majors.

However, working with our own full-time and adjunct faculty is a joy and the highlight of my daily life here. School of Dance faculty have danced on Broadway, in the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, in the “Romeo and Juliet” rock musical, with the preeminent male classical dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, and around the world, including Germany, Italy, London, New York City, Hawaii, and many more places. I assist faculty in a plethora of ways using known skills and learning new ones as needed.

Mason journey: My Mason journey began in July 2005 as the administrative assistant to the associate dean of undergraduate programs/Student Services in the engineering school. I learned much during those 13 years and served on Staff Senate for nearly half of that time. In 2018, I took a job in industry before returning to Mason in 2021. Returning to Mason was a Best. Decision. Ever. My supervisors, mentors, and co-workers are problem solvers, enthusiastic and energetic, and totally committed to the mission of Mason.

Best thing about working at Mason: It’s not easy choosing just one “best” thing. Here are a few of my favorites: The people, including faculty, staff and students; our beautiful campus (especially in spring); education benefits; exposure to new situations and responsibilities; and access to cultural offerings. Mason always has things going on for those of us who work here as well as for the surrounding community. Living less than 5 miles from campus certainly ranks high on my list of best things.

Why I serve on the Staff Senate: The Staff Senate helps shape the future at Mason. It provides networking opportunities with people who can help in my role. I enjoy collaborating with other senators to work for the benefit of all staff at Mason.

At the end of the day: … as I leave the deLaski Performing Arts Building, I see the smiling faces of our dancers who are anxiously awaiting their evening rehearsals (sometimes until 9:30 p.m.) and I wish them well. I hope they know from my interactions with them that day that I believe in them.