Around Mason: Week of May 27, 2025

Faculty/Staff Announcements

Have something to share? and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.

�� Updates

June Staff Senate Meeting

The next will feature guest speaker Lauren Posey, director of State Government Relations, on Wednesday, June 4, from 10–11 a.m. The general meeting will follow from 11 a.m. to noon. Join on the Fairfax ��, Merten Hall, Room 1201, or via Zoom. Prior to the meeting, the Staff Senate Recognition Ceremony will take place at 9:40 a.m.

High School Graduation Ceremonies at EagleBank Arena

Heavy traffic is expected on and around ��’s Fairfax �� for regional high school graduation ceremonies at EagleBank Arena from May 27 through June 16. EagleBank Arena will host up to three ceremonies each day, so traffic may be entering and exiting campus from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Please allow extra travel time on and around campus. .

George Mason faculty, staff, and students are advised to use the general permit area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck or the Field House parking lots to avoid delays. Shenandoah Parking Deck (levels 4 and 5) will be open for limited overflow student, employee, and event parking on weekdays when graduations occur.

Open Enrollment Is Underway: Drop-in Information Sessions

It’s time to make important choices about your benefits for the upcoming year. started Friday, May 16, and ends Friday, May 30. This is your annual opportunity to:

Review and update your health insurance
Add or remove dependents
Choose new benefits or make changes to existing ones
Take advantage of flexible spending accounts Health FSA and Dependent FSA

are hosted from May 19–30 across multiple campuses and virtually. Be sure to read the publication or visit the Virginia for the enrollment form, summary of benefits coverage, and much more information. For questions, contact benefits@gmu.edu.

Fuse Drop-in Offices at Mason Square

Conference rooms are now available for self-reservation in Fuse at Mason Square. These spaces are shared among tenants at Mason Square, reserved through the , and intended to support meetings, collaborative work, and group discussions. Reservation times should accurately reflect activity needs (do not reserve a space for a fully day, if it is only needed for a few hours).

Additionally, George Mason conference rooms, team rooms, and hoteling offices are expected to become available for faculty and staff to reserve through the Fuse app around May 30. These rooms can be reserved Monday– Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

In the meantime, faculty and staff are welcome to use these George Mason conference and team rooms on a first-come, first-serve basis until they are fully integrated into the app. . Contact arlops@gmu.edu with questions.

Training and Professional Development

Mason Career Academy

�� has launched , a new online learning resource that is free for current students, faculty, and staff to develop new skills, and is available to displaced workers, including federal workers and contractors in the region, for a small registration fee.

Mason Career Academy offers access to more than 90 online micro-credential courses and industry-recognized certifications in fields, such as data analytics, cybersecurity, project management, and information technology (IT) support. Read more.

Crucial Conversations Workshop: Mastering Dialogue

Whenever you’re not getting the results you want, it’s likely an important conversation either hasn’t happened or hasn’t been handled well. At the heart of healthy and high-performance organizations are people willing and able to hold Crucial Conversations.

Join Human Resources for a two-day session June 23– 24 from 9 a.m. to noon on the Fairfax ��, Merten Hall, to learn the skills to turn disagreement into dialogue for improved relationships and results. Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is an engaging classroom course rich with group discussion, real-time practice, and group support and coaching. . For questions, contact hrlearn@gmu.edu.

Counterterrorism Summit

��, in partnership with the Government Technology and Services Coalition’s (GTSC) publication Homeland Security Today, will host the inaugural “” summit on Tuesday, June 3, at Van Metre Hall at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia. This full-day event will explore the shifting dynamics of global terrorism and the strategies being developed to confront emerging threats. The summit will feature sessions discussing key terrorism challenges and the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations. .

Supervisor Boot Camp: Summer and Fall Cohorts

Register now for the upcoming Supervisor Boot Camp beginning Tuesday, June 24. This program is designed to provide essential information in a supportive cohort environment, with opportunities for participants to reflect, engage with and learn from one another, and network.

This cohort is presented in person, over three days from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is also open for fall cohort. For more information, visit the . Participants must supervise at least one employee. For questions, contact hrlearn@gmu.edu.

Resources for You

Celebrate 529 Day with a One-Day Offer from Invest529

529 Day, recognized each year on May 29, is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of saving for future education expenses. To celebrate, Invest529 is offering a special, one-day incentive to help employees take the first step in their education savings journey. On Thursday, May 29, employees who open a new Invest529 account will receive a $25 contribution from Invest529. No webinar attendance or additional requirements are needed to qualify.

To receive the $25 contribution, employees must enter the gift code 529DAY2025 as a Gift Card payment option when completing the online application at .

George Mason with the Washington Spirit

Get your kicks! Patriots are invited to fill Audi Field on Sunday, June 8, for an afternoon of women's soccer as the Washington Spirit take on the North Carolina Courage. .

The MIX: Summer Workshops

The Mason Innovation Exchange (The MIX), located in Horizon Hall on the Fairfax ��, is the central hub for innovation, exploration, and creativity at George Mason. Services are open to students, faculty, and staff. The MIX includes a Makerspace, providing tools for making, from sewing machines to welding and 3D printing; a Media Lab that provides a green screen, studio lighting, VR headsets and a podcast booth; and an Incubator, providing entrepreneurship training and support. Summer hours are Monday–Friday, from noon to 5 p.m.

Resource Expo for Federal Employees and Contractors

Community members can discover job opportunities, resources, and career-themed workshops at the Next Steps: Resource Expo at Mason Square on Wednesday, May 28, from 12:30–5:30 p.m. More than 40 employers and service providers will be in attendance. Sessions will be available on transferable skills, using AI for a job search, activating your resilience for well-being, and more.

Contact jobseeker@arlingtonva.us with questions. This event is brought to you by Arlington County Government and Employment Center, City of Alexandria Government and Workforce Development Center, ��, and Virginia Career Works Alexandria/Arlington Region. Registration is not required, but is available to you should you wish to receive updates from the event host. .

Mason Square Market

returns on Tuesday, May 27, from 3–7 p.m. on the Mason Square Plaza. Community members will find handmade items, sweet treats, art, and more, while enjoying performances from local musicians. The market is hosted by Mason Square and Mason Dining in collaboration with Arlington Economic Development.

Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason

Friday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m.
SciTech ��, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Take a musical journey with the Manassas Chorale, its ensemble, orchestra, and the Greater Manassas Children’s Choir as they celebrate the stories of Disney princesses and swash-buckling pirates through music. Greater Manassas Children’s Choir students in grades 2–8 perform alongside adult singers in this exciting musical adventure.

Saturday, May 31, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax ��, Center for the Arts
This special anniversary season culminates in a heartfelt program that pays tribute to Maestro Zimmerman's debut concert as music director with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in 2009. Join this special tribute concert celebrating Maestro Zimmerman's remarkable leadership and vision.

Saturday, June 28, at 7 p.m.
SciTech ��, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Legendary singer and songwriter Paul Anka, who has written for artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, performs his greatest hits, including “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Diana,” “She’s A Lady,” and “My Way.”