Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Board of Visitors Public Comment Session Scheduled for April 1
The George Mason University Board of Visitors will conduct a meeting with a corresponding Public Comment session on Tuesday, April 1. This meeting will encompass a presentation by Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Deb Dickenson on Mason’s FY 2026 Tuition and Mandatory Fees. Details specific to the meeting and the public comment process will be available on the Board of Visitors website by the evening of Monday, March 17.
President's Town Hall Sessions with Faculty/Staff
George Mason University President Gregory Washington will host two 90-minute town hall sessions to discuss the state of the university and to engage with faculty and staff.
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The first town hall, for faculty and staff working in academic units, will take place on Wednesday, March 19, at 9 a.m., on the Fairfax Campus, The Hub, Ballroom.
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The second town hall, for employees working in nonacademic units, will take place on Tuesday, March 25, at 1:30 p.m., on the Fairfax Campus, The Hub, Ballroom.
For those unable to attend in-person, both sessions will be livestreamed on Zoom. Contact your respective unit leadership for Zoom links and passwords. While questions will be taken at the conclusion of each town hall, the Zoom chat function will not be enabled. Should virtual attendees have any questions, please provide them to your designated unit contact so they can be shared in-person during your respective town hall session. Learn more.
Swipe4Change: Addressing Food Insecurity One Swipe at a Time
Swipe4Change is a collaborative effort between Mason Dining and the Student Support and Advocacy Center, with support from University Sustainability, the Food Recovery Network, and Student Government. Together, participants address food insecurity by collecting and allocating donated guest swipes to students in need.
On Wednesday, March 26, find donation stations on the Fairfax Campus at Southside and Ike’s from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Meal plan holders can donate a guest swipe, while non-holders can contribute any amount through Coins4Change at retail locations. Sign up to volunteer at green.gmu.edu. Your participation and support will make a difference for our community.
Volunteer for Mason Day
Mason Day, one of the longest-running traditions at George Mason, is right around the corner! The Fairfax Campus event features a carnival with rides, games, delicious treats, food trucks, inflatables, novelties, performances, and more. The Student Involvement team invites faculty/staff to volunteer to help facilitate Mason Day on Friday, April 25. View volunteer opportunities and sign up.
Volunteers are asked to sign up by Friday, April 11, for planning purposes. Student Involvement will follow up with volunteers via email a week before Mason Day with day-of information. For more information or questions, contact Brian Greene or Ayleen Leonhardt.
Health and Fitness Expo
Join George Mason University’s 28th annual Health and Fitness Expo on Thursday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. Check out health education activities, hands-on demos, free health screenings, fitness instruction and challenges, and win door prizes and giveaways.
National Public Health Week: Stronger Together—The Impact of Social Ties on Public Health
During National Public Health Week, join Melissa Perry, dean of the College of Public Health, for a panel discussion on social isolation and loneliness across the life span. This dialogue will explore the true scope and severity of the issue—is it really a public health crisis? The panel will challenge assumptions, explore solutions, and highlight the role of individuals and communities in fostering connection.
Stronger Together: The Impact of Social Ties on Public Health
Wednesday, April 9, from 6–8:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 1201
RSVP
Training and Professional Development
Facilitating Meaningful Feedback Conversations
Faculty and staff supervisors are invited to an interactive session that helps participants enhance leadership skills, cultivate a positive and productive workplace culture, and master the art of meaningful conversations.
Participants will leave with actionable insights and techniques that can positively impact employee engagement. The next session will be Tuesday, March 18, at noon on Zoom. View more dates and register.
Generative AI: Thinking, Teaching, and Learning with a "WEIRD" Cognitive Illusion
Generative AI is reshaping not only how we teach and learn but also how we think, prompting us to reconsider long-held assumptions about truth, knowledge, and creativity. At the same time, it can subtly reinforce patterns and biases. Explore how we might learn to think differently—and creatively—with and about AI, and what this means for teaching and learning. Join an online event hosted by the George Mason Global Online Teacher Education Center within the College of Education and Human Development.
Generative AI: Thinking, Teaching, and Learning with a "WEIRD" Cognitive Illusion
Monday, March 31, from 2–3 p.m.
RSVP
About the speaker: Melissa Warr is an assistant professor of educational design and learning technologies at New Mexico State University. Her research blends teacher education, design, creativity, and technology.
Resources for You
Your Resilience Recipe: Finding Support in Mason Resources
Just like a great recipe, resilience is built with the right ingredients—confidence, adaptability, purpose, and support. In this interactive workshop, participants will mix these key elements with George Mason’s well-being resources to create their own “Resilience Recipes.” The workshop will discuss:
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Gather Your Ingredients: Explore the essential components of resilience.
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Find the Right Tools: Discover George Mason’s resources that support faculty and staff resilience and well-being.
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Refine Your Recipe: Leave with a personalized plan and practical strategies to strengthen your resilience at work and beyond.
Resilience isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s a recipe unique to each person. This virtual workshop will be hosted on Wednesday, March 26, from 1–2 p.m. on Zoom. Register today to discover the ingredients that best support your well-being.
Patriots Helping Patriots: Alumni and Career Services Offer Job Market Guidance
In times of rapid change and uncertainty, focusing on what you can control is key. George Mason alumni are invited to join University Career Services and the Office of Alumni Relations for an interactive workshop that will explore practical strategies to adapt career plans, discover new opportunities, and prioritize well-being throughout a job search.
Session 2: Navigating Your Job Search in Uncertain Times
Wednesday, March 26, at 4 p.m. (virtual event)
Register and view additional sessions.
Participants will gain insights into job search resources available to George Mason alumni, including Handshake, a powerful platform connecting job seekers with employers actively seeking George Mason graduates.
Spring 2025 Plaza Season at Mason Square
The plaza event season at Mason Square starts March 17 and continues through May 16. Every weekday will feature three events, ranging from the Lunches on the Lawn discussion series to Zumba Power Hour, a fan favorite. Check the University Life at Mason Square website for more information about the individual and special events.
Mason Square Plaza events are free and open to the public. All are welcome!
College of Public Health: Dean’s Speaker Series
Strengthening Health and Well-Being for Latinos: Considering the Cultural Context in Parenting within Latino Families
Tuesday, March 25
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Peterson Hall, Multipurpose Room
RSVP
This event will feature guest speaker Cristina Mogro-Wilson, a Latina scholar and expert in health disparities working with Latino families. Her research has made substantial contributions to improving the lives of families by identifying modifiable factors associated with parenting and how culture influences parenting in Latino families.
Mogro-Wilson is the editor-in-chief of Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, a core journal in social work research. She is co-PI on four federally funded five-year grants totaling more than $20 million from the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Afternoon Tea with Global Chef Darren
Mason Dining is excited to welcome Global Chef Darren Edwards from England for a special culinary experience on campus. With 35 years in the hospitality industry, including serving as a sous chef at Buckingham Palace, Chef Darren now leads the kitchen at Wellington College, one of the UK’s top boarding schools. His culinary motto? "Make a child smile."
Faculty and staff are invited to afternoon tea on Tuesday, March 18, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Mason Club. Enjoy a chance to connect with colleagues, chat with Chef Darren, and learn more about England’s culinary traditions and culture.
Decorate and Connect with Ava Uppal, Alum and Culinary Entrepreneur
Join Ava Uppal, George Mason alum, marketing executive, published author, and on-air expert, as she returns to George Mason to share her inspiring journey from international student to successful culinary entrepreneur. Learn cake decorating tips, connect with fellow Patriots, and be inspired by Ava’s creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and insights from her book. Join the fun on Tuesday, March 25, at 4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus at The Spot. RSVP.
Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group: Spring Sessions
The Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group will meet on Friday afternoons this spring. Kritikos engages in discussions on writing about the arts, critical studies, translation, the artist in society, and art as speech. Learn more.
Join them for the topic “Why Would Anyone Imagine Us Without Us? AI and Digital Blackface” on Friday, March 21, from 1–2:30 p.m. via Zoom. This event is free and open to the public.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Chloé Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies LIVE
Saturday, March 22, at 8 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Founded by D.C. native Chloé Arnold, an Emmy Award-nominated tap dancer and choreographer, and protégé of Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen, Syncopated Ladies LIVE is a spellbinding and inspirational all-female tap dance celebration of sisterhood, empowerment, rhythm, and joy. These dynamic performers are reinvigorating the artform of tap, weaving together inspiring stories, electric energy, and intricate footwork, while dancing to everything from pop and hip-hop to salsa and R&B.
Rhythm India
Saturday, March 22, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
With colorful costumes, dynamic music, and soulful beats, Rhythm India evokes the glitz and glamor of a blockbuster Bollywood dance sequence and the graceful movements of classical Indian dance. Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond is the creation of World Choreography Award Nominee and Telly Award-winning director and choreographer Joya Kazi and features the company dancers of Joya Kazi.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Humor in Music
Sunday, Mar. 23, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Siegel closes out his season of Keyboard Conversations® with music to raise the spirits—and stimulate smiles! Center audiences are invited to enjoy merriment in musical tones from the enchanting works of Chopin, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Copland, and Stravinsky.
Mason Dance Company Gala Concert
School of Dance
Friday, March 28, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 29, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The highlight of the School of Dance season, featuring guest artists of international acclaim. This year’s Gala Concert includes “The Hunt” by Robert Battle, “Cloudline” by Robyn Mineko Williams, a premiere by Christopher d’Amboise, and “The Fracture of Light” by Yin Yue. If you’re up for a party, we throw a great one prior to the performance on Saturday during the Mason Dance Fête!
Hylton Family Series: A Year With Frog and Toad
Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Direct from Broadway comes the Tony Award-winning musical, A Year With Frog and Toad, based on the beloved children’s books by Arnold Lobel. Featuring a jazzy score by Robert and Willie Reale and produced by Wishing Star Productions, LLC, this charming musical follows two best friends—cheerful Frog and curmudgeonly Toad—through the four seasons. A Year With Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures with wit and heart. Recommended for all ages.
American Roots Series: Alison Brown
Saturday, March 29, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
Grammy Award-winning banjoist Alison Brown is renowned for her innovative sound blending bluegrass, folk, and jazz. She has earned praise and legions of fans worldwide touring with the Alison Brown Quartet and as a soloist, recording 12 critically acclaimed albums. This intimate evening with one of the most multi-faceted artists on today’s roots music scene is not to be missed. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Les Arts Florissants: Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ at 300
Sunday, March 30, at 4 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
In celebration of the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Les Arts Florissants, one of the foremost Baroque music ensembles in the world, reframes the iconic work for the 21st century. The 15-person chamber orchestra, which performs on period instruments, intersperses the movements of the beloved Four Seasons with lesser-known works by Monteverdi, Uccelline, and Geminiani in this “performance to be celebrated” (New York Times).
Jazz Big Band Showdown Spring 2025
Dewberry School of Music
Monday, March 31, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join the Mason Jazz Ensemble (director Jim Carroll) and two special guest big bands for an evening that celebrates the hot sounds and swinging beats of the Big Band era.
George Mason School of Theater: The Tempest
April 3–6, multiple performances
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
When Prospero, a gifted sorcerer, and his young daughter, Miranda, are banished by his scheming brother, Duke Antonio, Prospero seeks shelter on a remote island and bides his time, waiting for the perfect moment to enact his revenge. A conjured storm shipwrecks Duke Antonio and his allies on Prospero’s island, offering him the opportunity he’s been awaiting. But love and magic throw a wrench into Prospero’s plans, and he must consider what matters the most in his quest for justice. Set in an alternate universe of artificial intelligence and virtual reality, this exceptional adaptation will be directed by Rick Davis, dean of George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Cirque Mechanics
Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Known for their modern circus incorporating mechanical marvels, Cirque Mechanics introduces the wildly astonishing Pedal Punk, set in a Steampunk-inspired world where cycling provides wondrous escape from pervasive obsession with technology. A 22-foot, pedal-powered performance platform (dubbed the Gantry bike) serves as the caravanning mobile centerpiece of this high-flying thrill ride, featuring spectacular storytelling and daredevil acrobatics.
Family Series – Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey
Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Called “absolutely incredible” by Rolling Stone and featured as a semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent, Lightwire Theater uniquely combines technology and theater to bring stories to life in complete darkness, through its signature brand of electroluminescent artistry. In this production, Marvin the Mouse wants to be popular, but is constantly bullied by the “cool” rats. He retreats into his science books and a world of fantasy as respite, longing to have adventures and be the hero. Join Marvin on the space adventure of a lifetime: a trip to the surface of the moon on his homemade rocket where he meets a strange cast of misfit creatures and views awesome beauty in this cosmic adventure about celebrating differences. Recommended for ages 10 and under.
Mountain Stage hosted by Kathy Mattea
Sunday, April 6, at 7 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Become a part of broadcast history as two-time Grammy winner and West Virginia native Kathy Mattea hosts a taping of Mountain Stage, live from the Hylton Center. Since 1983, Mountain Stage has given listeners the best seat in the house for performances by rising stars and longtime legends. Recorded in front of a live audience, each two-hour episode features contemporary artists in genres ranging from roots, folk, blues, and country to indie rock, synth pop, world music, alternative, and beyond.