Costello College of Business Alumni

Karen Crosswhite had already served in international corporate tax roles with three of the four leading accounting firms before starting her own. She decided to enroll at Mason to take her career to the next level and be the best possible accountant for her clients.

Many individuals speak of their time attending university as being their formative years. Coming from China, Yingjun Chen, MS Management ’18, not only grew as a business graduate student, but she also had to adjust to an entirely new country and culture.

For Charles “Chuck” Schue, Executive MBA ’05, his Native American heritage plays a significant role in his identity.

Mandy O’Neill, associate professor of management, decided to step away from campus for a deeper dive into her research on organizational culture.

Attending George Mason University School of Business in the early-90s, Marie Robles, BS Accounting ’94, was mesmerized by the diversity she saw across campus. Students of all ethnic, religious, and other cultural backgrounds intermingled in the classrooms. Mason’s diversity made her feel at home. However, she’s aware that boardrooms and offices are often devoid of that inclusive and welcoming experience.

It had been 15 years since graduating from George Mason University when Michael Gallagher, MBA ’94, was approached by school officials about getting involved with the School of Business Alumni Chapter. He jumped in with both feet, serving several roles including chapter president and has sat on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the past three years.

With nearly a quarter of its undergrad enrollment identifying as Asian American or Pacific Islander, the School of Business continues to be one of the most diverse schools within the most diverse university in Virginia.

The School of Business Alumni Chapter’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee relentlessly pushes for every Patriot to feel welcomed and included so that the school can continue ascending to new heights.

Amissville, Virginia, just west of Warrenton, is about a 90-minute drive from Washington, D.C. Interstate 66 is the Achilles Heel of area commuters, but the silver lining is that it leads here—to this bucolic setting and to Hinson Ford Cider & Mead. Dennis Kelly (BA English 2012, MS Technology Management 2015), his wife Mary Graham, and business partner Dave Shiff opened Hinson Ford in September of 2018.

Since attending and graduating from George Mason University, Marc and Shaza Andersen have embedded themselves in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.