Alumni

Alumnus uses his creative voice to build connections, honor heritage, and foster peace

Shayla Brown — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:09:19 +0000

Alumnus uses his creative voice to build connections, honor heritage, and foster peace Shayla Brown Wed, 06/18/2025 - 10:09

Federico Frum, BA Art and Visual Technology ’05, believes in the power of art to bring people together. Known professionally as MasPaz—Spanish for “more peace”—Frum has spent his career fusing activism and creativity, using bold street murals, community engagement, and cultural storytelling to spread a message of unity.

Federico Frum/MasPaz poses in front of one of his murals. Photo credit Omar Garcia.

A multidisciplinary artist based in Washington, D.C., Frum most recently gained national attention for contributing to the design of a stamp for the Art of the Skateboard stamp series for the U.S. Postal Service, a project five years in the making.

“The graphic designer on the project had seen my work at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and really connected with it—especially coming from a Latino background himself,” Frum said. “When he reached out, I was thrilled. Skateboarding has been a part of my life for years—I even used to have my own skateboard company—so this project felt like home.”

That deep connection to skateboarding culture is more than a personal passion. Frum has worked in skate shops, helped manage an amateur skate team, and continues to sponsor local youth, offering them skateboards bearing his signature artwork.

While Frum’s work often appears on concrete walls, his art is rooted in something older and deeper—his Colombian heritage, Indigenous traditions, and a lifelong reverence for the planet. He draws inspiration from the intricate geometric designs of molas, the handcrafted textiles created by Indigenous peoples in Panama and Colombia.

“Growing up, my mother would hang molas around the house. They became my connection to our land, our ancestry,” Frum recalled. “Now I keep that tradition alive in a contemporary way—using a spray can or a paintbrush but always honoring that cultural lineage.”

His mural work is widely recognized for its themes of earth preservation, Indigenous identity, and community empowerment. But Frum’s impact goes far beyond public art. He visits high school classrooms, co-creating murals with students that are proudly displayed on campus—an invitation for young people to find their voice through art.

“I’ve always felt connected to Indigenous practices and the family dynamic,” Frum says. “And I’ve always respected the Earth. A big part of who I am is about protecting and preserving the planet.”

As a student at George Mason, Frum studied photography and digital art, with a thesis in 3D animation. He credits classes in web design and printmaking with giving him the technical foundation to support his creative vision. He also found mentorship from School of Art professor Chawky Frenn, a fellow advocate for art as a force for peace.

“My heart is filled with so much joy and gratitude to see that Federico is using his artistic voice for social change,” says Frenn, a two-time Fulbright Scholar whose own work explores art and peace. “As teachers, we never truly know what seeds we’re planting—but seeing Federico’s journey is a beautiful reminder of what’s possible.”

Frum’s work has been featured by ABC News, Telemundo, and The Washington Post, and he has collaborated with major institutions including Nike, National Geographic, Sierra Club, Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, and the New Museum.

Recently, Frum returned to George Mason’s Fairfax �� to install We All Belong, a 30-by-30-foot tapestry mural on the Art and Design Building. The vibrant piece weaves together earth elements, ancestral motifs, and community imagery to deliver a powerful message of inclusion.

“It’s about showing that we’re all connected—that we matter,” Frum says. “That art can help us remember: We all belong.”

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College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Kotcher named interim director of the Center for Climate Change Communication

Katarina Benson — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:12:23 +0000

Kotcher named interim director of the Center for Climate Change Communication Katarina Benson Thu, 06/12/2025 - 16:12

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Department of Communication at �� is pleased to announce the appointment of John Kotcher as the interim director of the Center for Climate Change Communication. Kotcher succeeds Edward Maibach, the center’s founding director and Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, who is retiring after 18 years of leadership.

Kotcher, who earned a PhD in communication from George Mason in 2016, has played a central role in the center’s research and impact for more than a decade. He currently serves as a research associate professor at the center, where he leads a dynamic team of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students dedicated to advancing public engagement and climate change communication.

Dr. Kotcher. Photo provided

Kotcher is a nationally recognized scholar and a co-principal investigator of the influential Climate Change in the American Mind project, a collaboration with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication that tracks U.S. public opinion on climate change and climate policy.

Over the course of his career, he has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on more than $1.2 million in research funding and has written more than 50 peer-reviewed publications. His work has appeared in leading journals including The Lancet Planetary Health, Nature Climate Change, and The BMJ, and has been featured in major news outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic.

“I’m honored to step into this role and continue the center’s important mission at such a critical time,” said Kotcher. “Dr. Maibach has shaped the field of climate communication, and I’m grateful for his mentorship and the opportunity to support our team’s ongoing work to inform and empower the public and conduct action-oriented research.”

Maibach is widely considered one of the most influential figures in the field of climate communication. During his tenure, he co-founded major national initiatives including the Climate Change in the American Mind project, the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, and the Climate Matters program supporting broadcast meteorologists as local climate educators. In 2021, news agency Thompson Reuters identified him as one of the world’s 10 most influential scientists working on climate change.

“John brings a deep understanding of the science of climate communication that drives our work,” said Maibach. “He’s a thoughtful leader and a brilliant scholar. I’m so pleased that our center will be moving forward under his guidance.”

"The Center for Climate Change Communication has helped create an entirely new field of study and has served the nation in important ways since its creation in 2007," said Ann Ardis, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Science. "We are extremely proud of its work and delighted that its new director is a Mason alum."

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From the White House to Borough Council: Brandon Ledford Makes Local Government Matter

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:02:59 +0000

From the White House to Borough Council: Brandon Ledford Makes Local Government Matter Andrew J Schappert Wed, 06/11/2025 - 11:02

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Brandon W. Ledford doesn’t do things halfway. By day, he’s the senior vice president and general manager of MGT, a public-sector consulting firm that helps state and local governments tackle everything from cybersecurity to compensation fairness.

Brandon Ledford: ‘You can have a much bigger impact locally … It doesn’t take, literally, acts of Congress to get things done.’ Photo provided.

By night—well, evenings and weekends—he puts his 2011 Schar School of Policy and Government master of public policy (MPP) degree into practice as vice president of the Borough Council in Dormont, Pennsylvania, a community of 8,000 bordering Pittsburgh.

As it happens, the borough manager, John Stinner, is also a Schar School graduate. (See Stinner’s story on this page.) The two did not know each other at ��.

“When he said we had the same degree, I thought he meant an MPP, not necessarily an MPP from George Mason,” Stinner said.

For Ledford, being a councilmember is personal.

At age 9, Ledford was diagnosed with the African form of Burkitt’s lymphoma, an incredibly rare and aggressive cancer. He was the third known case in the United States—and the first to survive.

But survival came with consequences. His mother, forced to miss work to care for him, lost her job. That was just as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was being passed, and a pro bono attorney helped her fight for reinstatement.

“We were on public assistance because of medical bills,” Ledford said. “So, growing up, I got to see government protecting folks in their neediest, and I wanted to dedicate my life to this.”

While earning an MPP degree with concentrations in science and technology policy at George Mason, he interned for a semester at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, a perfect fit.

After graduating with his degree, Ledford, 41, spent years in federal government consulting, working for Deloitte U.S., Booz Allen, and now MGT. But he never lost his belief in the power of local government.

In Dormont, as a councilperson (there are seven) and chair of the public safety, building and code enforcement committee, he’s championed initiatives such as a façade grant program to revitalize the town’s business district and, particularly, a robust family leave policy for borough employees.

“You can have a much bigger impact locally,” he said. “The time from idea to implementation is way shorter. It doesn’t take, literally, acts of Congress to get things done.”

Ledford has lived and worked in the highest levels of government. But in a town where he knows his neighbors and can see change happen firsthand, he’s found where he can make the biggest difference.

“It started with wanting to be involved in politics,” he said. “But when we had our first daughter, I really liked the community we were in. I thought, ‘We can do great things here.’”

The Schar School is working to assist those considering careers in government, nonprofit, and government-adjacent organizations by offering application fee waivers, discount pricing, flexible and customizable courses, and other programs. Find out more about “upskill” and retooling certificate and degree programs at this webpage.

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Schar School Student Spotlight

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Alumni

Cowen named to inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy List

Colleen Rich — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:51:41 +0000

Cowen named to inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy List Colleen Rich Fri, 06/06/2025 - 10:51

�� economics professor and alumnus Tyler Cowen, BS Economics ’83, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in philanthropy.

Cowen is being recognized for his leadership of Emergent Ventures, a fellowship and grant program, housed at George Mason’s Mercatus Center, that backs entrepreneurial thinkers and doers with extraordinary potential. Since its launch, Emergent Ventures has funded more than 1,000 individuals around the world who are advancing work across a wide array of fields, including science, policy, and journalism.

“I’ve focused on trying to mobilize talent that otherwise is not discovered or inspired,” Cowen told TIME, explaining that he screens most of the applications himself.

Emergent Ventures’ successes include funding one of the first COVID-19 saliva tests via its Fast Grants program and a prison reform startup that used data analysis to identify more than 150,000 safe candidates for early release.

“Tyler's vision for Emergent Ventures is to do philanthropy differently,” said Economics Department chair Daniel Houser. “He created a highly effective and influential approach to broad-based giving that includes rapid decisions and taking an occasional risk. Tyler supports leading established scholars and also helps to develop prodigies at earlier stages of their career, sometimes as early as high school.”

Cowen, who has led Emergent Ventures since 2018, is the director of the Mercatus Center and a faculty member of the Economics Department’s The Center for Study of Public Choice. A nationally renowned economist, he is a columnist for The Free Press and contributes daily to the Marginal Revolution blog.

Responding to the honor, Cowen wrote on the blog, “It is the Emergent Ventures winners who deserve the real credit, thanks to them!”

The inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list recognizes 100 individuals who are reimagining the ways giving can drive meaningful change. Philanthropists from 28 countries made the list, including Warren Buffet, Michael Bloomberg, and Oprah Winfrey. Cowen was recognized in the innovators category along with Catherine, Princess of Wales; skateboarder Tony Hawk; and actor Michael Sheen.

The full list is available at here. Read more about Cowen’s work with Emergent Ventures here.

Tyler Cowen joined University President Gregory Washington on the Access to Excellence podcast to discuss Emergent Ventures. Listen to the episode.

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Boris Willis Is Helping Students Rethink What a Career in Game Design Can Be

Lakin Raybuck — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:13:22 +0000

Boris Willis Is Helping Students Rethink What a Career in Game Design Can Be Lakin Raybuck Mon, 06/02/2025 - 13:13

In This Story

Boris Willis

For Boris Willis, the future of games has always been bigger than pixels and code. Long before the rise of virtual production and interactive storytelling, Willis was blending technology, dance, and design into new forms of creative expression.

Now, as an Associate Professor at ��, he's helping students rethink what a career in game design and creativity can look like.

Boris Willis of �� Computer Game Design. Photo credit: Tiffany Richardson

For a long time, those interests lived separately. But over the years, Willis began weaving them together, exploring how technology and the body could speak to each other. Today, as an Associate Professor in ��'s Computer Game Design Program, Willis helps students see game design as something much larger than entertainment or technology. It becomes a way to tell stories, build worlds, and imagine futures.

"I've always been drawn to the intersection of the physical and the imaginative," Willis says.

That intersection defines everything Willis brings into the classroom. Before arriving at George Mason, Willis spent years pushing creative boundaries: collaborating on projects that translated dance notation into computer animation, developing live performances enhanced by motion capture, and designing interactive experiences where audiences shaped the outcome of a story. This was long before the words "interactive media" became commonplace.

The thread running through it all is clear. Willis understands that movement, whether physical or digital, is at the heart of every great interactive experience. It's not enough to learn how to program a character. Students need to understand how players feel moving through a space and how story and tension build through choice and motion.

This approach stands apart from many traditional game design programs, where the focus often stays narrowly on coding, engineering, or entertainment. At George Mason, students are encouraged to see the field through a broader, more creative lens, and faculty like Willis make that difference tangible by opening up new horizons and possibilities.

"The artistic process and the design process are the same," Willis explains. "You have an idea. You test it. You iterate. You revise. Whether you're making a dance, a play, or a game, you're shaping an experience."

In Willis' classes, concepts like "up, down, over, under, around, and through"—terms drawn from choreography—become part of the vocabulary of level design. Students learn that building a world isn't just about filling empty spaces. It's about creating an emotional journey, guiding players the way a choreographer leads an audience through a performance.

Assignments often push students well beyond what they expect. Rather than duplicating popular games, students are tasked with reimagining how games can work: remixing storylines, combining dissimilar concepts, and creating entirely new kinds of experiences.

"I try to get students to move beyond what they know," Willis says. "There are thousands of games made every year. Why not create something no one's seen before?" This emphasis on creative risk-taking is not just academic. It's essential for future careers and can inspire students to push the boundaries of game design.

That creative risk-taking isn't just academic. It's essential for future careers. The industry is evolving fast. Today, game engines are used not only to build entertainment but also to produce films, train healthcare workers, develop educational tools, design virtual museums, and simulate real-world experiences.

Students trained purely in technical skills may find themselves boxed into narrower roles. Like Willis encourages, students trained to think like creators, collaborators, and innovators are prepared for opportunities across industries that barely exist today.

This bigger-picture thinking is part of what makes George Mason's program distinct. The school doesn't just teach students how to make games. It teaches them to think like artists, designers, and problem-solvers ready to adapt, imagine, and lead.

Willis' own work models that future. His projects range from interactive poetry games to virtual museums of student dance films. He sees games not as isolated products but as evolving conversations between technology, culture, and human experience.

"Games are a text," Willis says. "They're not just about winning. They're about experiencing, connecting, imagining. They're about possibility."

For students at George Mason, learning from faculty like Willis means more than building technical portfolios. It means leaving with a mindset. One that sees connections where others see limits, one that understands that creativity is a skill as critical as coding.

Willis believes that the future of games will belong to those who can blend disciplines, think across fields, and imagine more. And at ��, that future is already being built.

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College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

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Master of Public Health alum builds a career transforming public health across Virginia

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:32:22 +0000

Master of Public Health alum builds a career transforming public health across Virginia Mary Cunningham Mon, 06/02/2025 - 10:32

“I wouldn't be where I am today without a community of folks who have supported me. Mentors, teachers and all of those folks, it started with a conversation.”

Felicia Baez-Smith, MPH ’19. Photo provided.

Felicia Baez-Smith’s, MPH ’19, public health journey began during her undergraduate years at ��, where she earned a BA in Integrative Studies with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. While working at the Student Support and Advocacy Center, she conducted HIV testing and was encouraged by a mentor to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH), and she did. The same week she graduated with her MPH from George Mason’s College of Public Health, she started her career at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

“George Mason is an amazing school. They teach you theory, but I also got the practical skills to transfer to my job. You know, you learn about evaluation metrics, and you learn about a logic model. But what does that mean when you're actually in a job? And how do you actually apply those? So to me, I felt prepared. Even just my writing skills, just the day-to-day sending emails to different stakeholders, whether that's internal leadership folks versus a community member who has never interacted with a public health professional or health department staff.”

At a time when few people had heard of Naloxone, as an opioid outreach coordinator for the Chickahominy Health District, Baez-Smith led efforts to distribute the life-saving medication across rural and urban communities. “I completed over 70 REVIVE! trainings,” she recalls. One of her most impactful initiatives was a partnership with the women's prison in Goochland County, where she trained 70 incarcerated women on how to use Naloxone before their early release. “We heard women's stories, folks who were in recovery. It was powerful. I remember speaking to a woman who saved her 19-year-old daughter when she got out with her Naloxone. It was nice being in that role because you saw the impact you had, and people wanted the help and appreciated that we cared and talked about such a taboo topic.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Baez-Smith transitioned to a full-time health educator with VDH, quickly shifting from community health assessments to providing testing and guidance on masking and traveling.

Following the pandemic, Baez-Smith temporarily joined Hanover County Community Services Board as a behavioral health and wellness specialist, focusing on youth substance use prevention and mental health outreach, especially through local churches—the community gathering places and trusted sources of information. She became a certified mental health first aid instructor and conducted trainings for the community.

Returning to VDH, she built and led a team of community health workers. Together, they launched initiatives such as a car safety program for low-income families and the Healthy Heart Ambassador program, which promoted blood pressure monitoring and communication with health care providers.

Baez-Smith is now the Workforce Collaboration Coordinator at the VDH. When she began the role, it was much more internal and focused on employee engagement. Now she is supporting more than 33 local health districts across the state.

Continually supported as an alum

College of Public Health alum honorees of Forty Under 40 from George Mason's Black Alumni Chapter: Genesis Brown, Aminata Jalloh, Felicia Baez-Smith, and Nkeiruka Ononiwu-Jones. Photo provided.

Even after graduation, Baez-Smith felt supported through George Mason alumni outreach efforts. She participated in mentoring programs that connected alumni with current students to discuss job searching, salary negotiation, and career development. “That one-on-one connection made a huge difference,” she says. “Mason does a great job helping students build networks that last.”

Baez-Smith is also a founding member of Collective 365, a nonprofit that provides seed funding to Black and Brown individuals and organizations. “We wanted to give back in a way that was accessible—whether through money, time, or other support.”

Most recently, Baez-Smith was recognized by ��’s Black Alumni Chapter on the 2025 Forty Under 40 List for making a positive impact in the community and trailblazing a new path to shape the future.

Advice to students

Her advice to students and recent graduates: “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I wouldn't be where I am today without a community of folks who have supported me. Start a conversation—it might change your life. Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating. And remember, no one has it all figured out. We’re all still learning as we go. Trust the process.”

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George Mason receives key investments from state budget for affordability, operations, veterans’ support, business development and employee compensation

Katarina Benson — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:21:24 +0000

George Mason receives key investments from state budget for affordability, operations, veterans’ support, business development and employee compensation Katarina Benson Wed, 05/28/2025 - 13:21

The state budget, signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on May 2, represents the Commonwealth of Virginia’s continued investment in �� as the state’s leading university for access, innovation and upward mobility. The funding goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Support for Students

The university received $7,432,000 to maintain affordability and $1,984,000 in financial aid assistance. On May 1, George Mason’s Board of Visitors (BOV) voted to keep tuition costs flat for in-state students, in recognition of the university’s commitment to being an affordable option for students and families across the commonwealth. At the same meeting, the BOV approved a tuition increase for out-of-state students as well as an increase in mandatory student fees for all students.

The budget also includes an additional $3 million in operating support.

“[Senate] Chairwoman Louise Lucas, [House] Chairman Luke Torian, and the committee membership have many demands on their time and resources, and we work to ensure they see the return on investment coming from George Mason back to the commonwealth,” said Lauren Posey.

Senators Barbara Favola, Dave Marsden, Jeremy McPike, Stella Pekarsky, Todd Pillion, and Bryce Reeves and Delegates David Bulova, Paul Krizek, David Reid, and Briana Sewell were instrumental as George Mason budget patrons this session, said Posey, director of state government relations for the university.

Support for Veterans

George Mason's Legislative and Alumni Reception in Richmond. Photo provided

The FY26 budget includes reoccurring funding for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. With more than 4,700 students identifying as active-duty service members, veterans, or dependents, George Mason is a vital resource for Virginia’s largest military-connected community. The university earned the top spot in Virginia and nationally among public universities for its MBA program for veterans from U.S. News & World Report, and was ranked first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region for its master’s in nursing for veterans. In September 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked George Mason as one of the state’s best colleges for veterans, and the university is continually recognized as a Military Friendly institution, earning a silver ranking for 2025-26.

Driving Virginia Business Development

The budget also included $700,000 in dedicated investment to sustain Virginia’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)—a network of 25 centers that has served more than 11,000 clients, providing no-cost counseling and training services to local entrepreneurs across the state. The centers are operated through a cooperative agreement with Mason Enterprise. SBDCs are a key part of the Mason Virginia Promise, which provides a pathway to a four-year degree for any Virginian who wants one, or help starting a business.

Faculty and Staff Compensation

At the A-10 men’s basketball playoff game, President Washington, Del. David Bulova, Del. Briana Sewell, Alumni Del. Bill Wiley, Del. Mark Sickles, Sen. Jeremy McPike, House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring, and Del. Michael Webert with his son, and Nicole Washington are pictured with Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis and several members of the women’s basketball team. Photo provided

State employees employed on or before February 25 will receive a 1.5% one-time bonus under the new budget, to be paid on June 16. Classified staff hired on or before March 10, 2025, who received a performance rating of “contributor” or higher will receive a 3% across-the-board base salary increase. Instructional/research and administrative faculty will receive a 1.5% increase plus possible additional increases based on market, performance, or other considerations. Raises will be effective June 10 for July 1 paychecks for 12-month faculty and classified staff paid semi-monthly, and in September 16 paychecks for 9-month faculty.

With the budget approved, the state government relations team is preparing for George Mason’s six-year plan with state agencies, coordinating tours and events with state legislators, and looking ahead to this year’s state elections in November.

Government Relations Team at Work

“We appreciate the commonwealth’s continued support. This historic investment into George Mason allows us to deliver a high-quality education while providing an excellent value,” said Posey.

The government relations team, led by Vice President for Government and Community Relations Paul Liberty, works throughout the year to develop relationships with national and state leaders, including Congress and the General Assembly.

Liberty, Posey, and Tyler Javonillo, assistant director of state government relations, collaborate with university administrators to prepare for meetings with state leaders. During the session, George Mason President Gregory Washington briefed the Northern Virginia delegation and met with a variety of legislators to discuss the university’s economic and workforce development impact, leadership in technology and public health, student success outcomes, and other topics.

“We like to showcase every aspect of Mason—our students’ academic achievements, impactful research, community resources, economic impact and many other points of interest—to legislators,” Posey said, so that they get a full understanding of George Mason’s impact and reach.

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Metron establishes scholarship fund in memory of George Mason alum

Nathan Kahl — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:27:41 +0000

Metron establishes scholarship fund in memory of George Mason alum Nathan Kahl Wed, 05/14/2025 - 14:27

In This Story

Ziyu Yao

Lishan Yang

��'s College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) distributed its first award of $2,500 from the Jimmy Chiou Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship to Randy Escalera, a freshman computer science student. This named endowed scholarship was created by CEC partner organization Metron, Incorporated, with a $50,000 gift in honor of Chiou, a Metron employee and George Mason alum who passed away suddenly in 2023.

Metron’s gift amount guarantees the scholarship will last in perpetuity and be granted annually. To receive the scholarship, a student must be an undergraduate majoring in computer science and be full-time and Virginia resident. Recipients will qualify on the basis of academic merit and be selected by a committee appointed by the CEC dean in coordination with the Office of Student Financial Aid.

A statement from Metron said, “Metron established the scholarship to honor Jimmy’s legacy by investing in George Mason’s next generation of scholars. Inspired by his work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering positivity, the scholarship supports students who demonstrate a strong commitment and passion for all areas of computer science. The endowment reflects a forward-looking partnership between Metron and George Mason, grounded in shared dedication to innovation, academic excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, we aim to broaden access to exceptional talent who will push the boundaries of what’s possible in computer science.”

A number of Chiou’s instructors recalled his positive influence. Ziyu Yao, a professor of Chiou’s, said, “Jimmy was such a talented student with intellectual curiosity and perseverance. His talent, curiosity to learn, courage to challenge himself, and persistence in delivering outstanding academic progress, will be remembered.”

Assistant Professor Lishan Yang added, “Jimmy did well in class and made good friends with his classmates. He was quiet and warm-hearted.”

Chiou’s parents said they were happy to help their son’s memory live on by being able to help future students. His father said, “Jimmy just liked to help people. He was a very simple person.”

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George Mason alumna makes a career of bringing talent into the spotlight

Colleen Rich — Mon, 12 May 2025 20:34:39 +0000

George Mason alumna makes a career of bringing talent into the spotlight Colleen Rich Mon, 05/12/2025 - 16:34

From her small hometown of Ruther Glen, Virginia, to the bright lights of New York City, Gilda Squire, BA Communication ’95, has forged a career that defies convention. It is a journey that has led Squire from the federal government through Wall Street, into book publishing, and finally landing as a powerhouse publicist and talent manager for some of entertainment’s brightest stars, including Angela Bassett, Bebe Neuwirth, and ballet icon Misty Copeland.

Gilda Squire with one of her clients Wendell Pierce. Photo provided

With a larger-than-life career requiring confidence and flexibility to thrive, Squire credits �� for providing the bold foundation for a dynamic life—right next to the spotlight.

For Squire, George Mason was a strategic choice that aligned with her plans to work in an industry with culture and creativity at its core. “I liked the idea that it was just outside of D.C., and I really loved that there was such an international population of students there,” Squire said. “I felt like that was an introduction to the world without leaving the D.C. area.”

Her path into the university was anything but traditional. Postponing her education after her mother’s passing, Squire eventually enrolled at George Mason at the urging of a work supervisor and tackled the challenge of working and studying full time.

The university became her gateway to global learning, offering friends and experiences that opened doors to new cultures and perspectives. “It was interesting because their cultures were front and center, as was mine,” said Squire. “We enjoyed learning about each other, and not many universities can offer that organically.”

Squire would take that zest for learning into a role at Goldman Sachs, where a corporate communications job led to her creating cultural programming that remains at the organization today. An eventual position at HarperCollins Publishers provided an opportunity to champion underrepresented voices in literature and eventually led to Squire launching her own talent management firm, Squire Media & Management.

A chance encounter with ballet dancer Misty Copeland ignited Squire’s determination to bring her into the spotlight. Struck by the lack of mainstream recognition for a Black dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Squire felt compelled to share a story the world needed to hear—the extraordinary rise of a young Black woman from an impoverished background to one of the world’s most prestigious stages.

With a major media push that landed features on shows like 60 Minutes and CBS This Morning, Copeland quickly moved from small roles to being cast as the lead dancer in Stravinsky’s Firebird, a coveted role that had only been danced by a Black woman once before.

For Squire, this was proof that the power of storytelling could do more than change one career—it could influence the world. “At that point, I said, oh, this is it. This is what we’ve been working for,” said Squire. “People are going to get a chance to see her dance.”

And Squire’s work did more than elevate Copeland’s career—it brought more diverse audiences into the world of ballet.

From helping Copeland make history to playing a role in actress Angela Bassett finally bringing home an Oscar, Squire has had a hand in some significant cultural moments. Her next challenge is representing former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Squire draws a clear line connecting her success and her time at George Mason. “It was at Mason that I realized the world is a wide-open space where I can do whatever I want to do,” she said. “Even if nothing else happened, the life and career I’ve had is beyond anything I could have ever dreamed.”

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Costello College of Business Announces Spring 2025 Degree Celebration Speakers

Jennifer Anzaldi — Tue, 06 May 2025 21:34:57 +0000

Costello College of Business Announces Spring 2025 Degree Celebration Speakers Jennifer Anzaldi Tue, 05/06/2025 - 17:34

The Costello College of Business at �� will be holding its Spring 2025 Degree Celebration on Friday evening, May 16, 2025. This year’s degree celebration will include remarks from the President and CEO of NABA Inc., Guylaine Saint Juste, BA International Relations ’94.

Guylaine Saint Juste, BA International Relations ’94

NABA Inc. is the premier organization dedicated to advancing professionals in accounting, finance, business, and entrepreneurship. With a dynamic network of more than 25,000 members, NABA champions the development of exceptional talent, drives innovation across industries, and cultivates a culture of excellence. Through education, access to opportunity, and strategic career connections, NABA empowers its members to lead boldly today while inspiring the next generation of leaders. The NABA-George Mason chapter holds a high interest in students who possess a strong sense of civic responsibility, a desire for excellence both inside and outside of the classroom, as well as those who are interested in promoting opportunities for all in the fields of accounting, finance, and other business-related professions.

Guylaine Saint Juste is a globally recognized transformational leader who delivers measurable impact by reimagining systems, expanding opportunity, and catalyzing growth. As President and CEO of NABA, Inc., she has led a bold transformation of the organization—modernizing its infrastructure, embracing digital innovation, and embedding strategic focus throughout its operations. Under her leadership, NABA has experienced explosive growth, expanding its membership fivefold—from 5,000 to over 25,000—and increasing annual revenue from $4 million to $18 million. Today, NABA is recognized as a high-performing, mission-driven organization with a national footprint and growing influence across sectors.

Guylaine has been recognized as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for four consecutive years. She has also been named one of the Most Powerful Women in Accounting by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor for three consecutive years, including 2024—a testament to her far-reaching impact. With over two decades of experience driving organizational growth and fostering equity, Guylaine’s career reflects her unwavering commitment to closing opportunity gaps and building inclusive systems that create lasting change.

Before joining NABA, Guylaine served as Executive Director of the National Capital Region for Year Up, where she connected more than 2,000 young adults with life-changing career opportunities. Her earlier career includes a successful tenure as Virginia Market Executive and Senior Vice President at Capital One, where she led market expansion and oversaw a $1.1 billion deposit base.

During her degree celebration address, Ms. Juste will speak to undergraduate and graduate degree recipients on their responsibility to lead in a complicated world—and how AI, Generative AI, and Agent AI tools will help them to focus on strategy, innovation, and human connections. And, as a George Mason alumna, her remarks on the importance of human connections in leadership are also expected to echo her alma mater’s definition of kindness: “intentionally engage in positive action that is friendly, caring, and compassionate towards self and others.”

Following Ms. Saint Juste’s remarks, Sarah Oulton, BS Criminology, Law and Society ’21, MS Accounting, Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting ’25, will deliver the graduating student address.

Costello College of Business Alumni Chapter President Kevin Connor, MBA ’22, will deliver the alumni address prior to the recognition of graduating students.

The Spring 2025 Business Degree Celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. in EagleBank Area on the Fairfax campus of ��. Tickets are required for each guest over the age of two years. Visit the �� Degree Celebrations website for more information.

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