Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI) / en 海角社区 recognized as a top Military Friendly University /news/2025-06/george-mason-university-recognized-top-military-friendly-university <span>海角社区 recognized as a top Military Friendly University</span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-06-30T17:27:58-04:00" title="Monday, June 30, 2025 - 17:27">Mon, 06/30/2025 - 17:27</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">海角社区 has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to military-connected students and their families, earning a Silver ranking in the Military Friendly庐 School designation for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The annual recognition honors colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in serving military communities. The full list of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">designees</span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> will be featured in the October issue of </span><em><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">G.I. Jobs Magazine</span></em><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> and can also be found at </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="https://www.militaryfriendly.com/2025-2026-mfs/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">militaryfriendly.com</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">鈥淎t George Mason, we are a mission-driven community,鈥 said </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="https://military.gmu.edu/about/meet-our-team" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Jennifer Connors</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, director of the </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="https://military.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Office of Military Services</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">. 鈥淚 am proud of the work our team and our colleagues across campus do every day to ensure our military-affiliated students and families feel supported.鈥</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">More than 10% of George Mason鈥檚 more than 40,000 students are current or former military members or military dependents. This past academic year, approximately </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="/news/2024-10/bov-hears-plans-expanding-veterans-services-and-considers-future-west-campus" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">20% of incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate students had military ties</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, reinforcing George Mason鈥檚 reputation as a top destination for military-affiliated students.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Many of these students receive education benefits to support their academic goals. More than 2,000 use Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, approximately 1,000 </span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">benefit</span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> from the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, and more than 100 receive Department of Defense Federal Tuition Assistance.</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">George Mason鈥檚 commitment to military-connected students is also reflected in national rankings. </span><em><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">U.S. News &amp; World Report</span></em><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="/news/2025-01/george-mason-university-leads-virginia-strong-us-news-online-program-rankings" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">named George Mason one of Virginia鈥檚 best colleges for veterans</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">. Its </span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">master of business administration</span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> (MBA) program for veterans ranked first among public universities both in Virginia and nationwide, and the master鈥檚 in nursing for veterans placed first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metro region.</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The university鈥檚 </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="https://mvfi.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI)</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> focuses specifically on leveraging George Mason鈥檚 strengths as the commonwealth鈥檚 largest and most diverse research university by empowering servicemembers, veterans, and their families through connections to a wide range of campus and regional resources.</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">鈥淚t speaks to our ability to not only serve those who have served us, but to create an environment where our service members, our veterans, and their families can thrive,鈥 said </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="/profiles/krenshaw" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Keith Renshaw</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, MVFI director, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, and a professor of psychology.</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW217876152 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Additional information on the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">ranking鈥檚</span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> methodology can be </span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">found</span><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW217876152 BCX0" href="https://www.militaryfriendly.com/survey-schools-guide/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">here</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW217876152 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW217876152 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/krenshaw" hreflang="en">Keith Renshaw, PhD</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="95ff62f9-8df8-4005-a6b1-27c41a282aaf" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="70d93bd9-ed60-4901-8c0c-539f4115f794"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/rankings"> <h4 class="cta__title">George Mason Rankings <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="614c0158-ff5c-4be3-9ba0-44946e935625" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="2a3e8743-1cdc-4c96-9bb0-fe4d283be376" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related Stories</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-7c821bf5bae78d1cbb04155efea9853cfbe16d525f34f4875ff1ce0c72e1e77e"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/george-mason-partners-dod-agency-bring-closure-families-lost-us-service-members" hreflang="en">George Mason partners with DoD agency to bring closure to the families of lost U.S. service members鈥 </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 28, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-06/george-mason-university-recognized-top-military-friendly-university" hreflang="en">海角社区 recognized as a top Military Friendly University</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 30, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-06/law-student-represents-combat-veteran-board-veterans-appeals-hearing" hreflang="en">Law student represents combat veteran at Board of Veterans鈥 appeals hearing </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span 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Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>At 19, after making 鈥渁 lot of bad choices,鈥 Estrada found himself sitting by a Northern Virginia road next to his broken-down car, reflecting on his future. This pivotal moment motivated him to leave behind his troubled past, join the U.S. Marine Corps, and eventually find his true calling in helping fellow veterans and others in need.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淚 went off on myself,鈥 recalled Estrada, now a proud husband, father, and U.S. Marine veteran of two tours in Afghanistan who is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in social work. He asked himself what was wrong, wondering if this was truly the life he wanted, and whether he would continue down the same path forever.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>This was just the impetus Estrada needed to break free from an unstable home environment that had him headed nowhere good. As a Guatemalan native, who was just 11 years old when his family arrived in the United States in 1998, Estrada longed for a better life, and after that moment of self-realization, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, which allowed him to alter his own personal narrative.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Estrada鈥檚 first tour of duty in Afghanistan began with a stay in the volatile Helmand Province in May 2010, followed by another stint in the war-worn nation from 2013-14. It was extremely dangerous, but as a Marine sergeant and infantry squad leader, he took great pride in serving alongside his new brothers in arms. 鈥淚 was doing something with purpose, something that was meaningful to me,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f I was going to die, I was going to die with a purpose.鈥</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>After eight years of service, Estrada left the Marine Corps in 2015. Hoping to get a higher-paying job to take care of his family, he enrolled at </span></span></span><a href="https://www.nvcc.edu/"><span><span><span>Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)</span></span></span></a><span><span><span>, with the goal of transferring to George Mason to earn a four-year college degree. Hardly a great student while in high school, Estrada quickly found that he was no longer that same guy鈥攈e had matured through his military experiences.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>He thrived academically, making the Dean鈥檚 List at NOVA before transferring to George Mason in 2017 and graduating from the </span></span></span><a href="https://socialwork.gmu.edu/"><span><span><span>College of Public Health</span></span></span></a><span><span><span> with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work in 2019. His wife, Maritza, also a George Mason graduate, strongly encouraged her husband through it all.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>When beginning his academic career, Estrada found that he had an innate desire to help others. He soon discovered his niche in assisting veterans and their dependents navigate the often-complicated GI Bill process, enabling them to receive the benefits were entitled to. Whether at NOVA or George Mason, Estrada supported fellow veterans by providing them opportunities to connect and share their military experiences with someone who truly understands.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Estrada鈥檚 dedication for helping others did not go unnoticed. </span></span></span></span><a href="/news/2021-09/masons-ryan-barnett-selected-gi-jobs-2021-veteran-champion-year-higher-education"><span><span><span>Ryan Barnett</span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span>, associate director of George Mason鈥檚 </span></span></span></span><a href="https://military.gmu.edu/"><span><span><span>Office of Military Services</span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span>, recognized </span></span></span></span><span><span><span>Estrada鈥檚 potential and encouraged him<span> to pursue social work.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥<span>Abi has a heart of gold and a passion to help people and connect with them,鈥 said Barnett, a fellow Marine veteran.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>&nbsp;鈥淭he more I learn about the profession, the more I love it,鈥 Estrada said.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Following his graduation, </span></span></span></span><span><span><span>Estrada<span> spent several years helping local youth, first as a youth counselor for </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nvfs.org/"><span><span><span>Northern Virginia Family Services</span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span> and then as an investigator of child abuse and neglect cases for Prince William County. Now as a 37-year-old father of three, he returned to George Mason this fall to pursue his </span></span></span></span><a href="https://socialwork.gmu.edu/program/social-work-msw"><span><span><span>master鈥檚 degree in social work</span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span>, continuing his mission to serve his fellow veterans and others in need.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Estrada<span> is grateful for the opportunities the United States has provided him. He said giving back is the least that he can do. 鈥淚鈥檝e always loved and respected this nation,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t fed me and clothed me. What my birth nation couldn鈥檛 do for me, America did. That鈥檚 why I want to give back.鈥</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="9e2bddf5-29a9-43b9-a7b9-f572a8a9afd7"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://military.gmu.edu/"> <h4 class="cta__title">Connect with the Office of Military Services <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="8559c6c5-1a38-4560-a81c-02455c1e79c8" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="9619d2f8-882c-4bb0-a8ac-94ec3baba6ed" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-75d558546851ddae7f13098dc01f6eeb1eb121ba48c12fa98f970759c486b1f4"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/george-mason-partners-dod-agency-bring-closure-families-lost-us-service-members" hreflang="en">George Mason partners with DoD agency to bring closure to the families of lost U.S. service members鈥 </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 28, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-06/george-mason-university-recognized-top-military-friendly-university" hreflang="en">海角社区 recognized as a top Military Friendly University</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 30, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-06/law-student-represents-combat-veteran-board-veterans-appeals-hearing" hreflang="en">Law student represents combat veteran at Board of Veterans鈥 appeals hearing </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-05/sit-stay-buzz" hreflang="en">Sit! 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Buzz?</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">May 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/graduate-student-uses-healing-power-art-help-other-veterans" hreflang="en">Graduate student uses the healing power of art to help other veterans </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 29, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17226" hreflang="en">College of Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4971" hreflang="en">Veterans</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/536" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2026" hreflang="en">Northern Virginia Community College</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2076" hreflang="en">Military</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:33:35 +0000 Colleen Rich 114556 at From Cockpits to Capitol Hill: Marine Corps Officer Charts New Course in Public Policy /news/2024-11/cockpits-capitol-hill-marine-corps-officer-charts-new-course-public-policy <span>From Cockpits to Capitol Hill: Marine Corps Officer Charts New Course in Public Policy</span> <span><span>Andrew J Schappert</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-11-06T07:11:38-05:00" title="Wednesday, November 6, 2024 - 07:11">Wed, 11/06/2024 - 07:11</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text"><em>Each year since 2018, the </em><a href="http://schar.gmu.edu/"><em>Schar School of Policy and Government</em></a><em> at 海角社区 has welcomed a cohort of United States Marine Corps officers to campus as </em><a href="https://schar.gmu.edu/programs/masters-programs/public-policy-mpp"><em>Master of Public Policy</em></a><em> students. The officers chosen for the prestigious Marine Corps Congressional Fellowship program complete their fellowships by working for elected representatives on Capitol Hill. Major Anthony Matacotta is a member of this year鈥檚 cohort.</em></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2024-11/anthony-matacotta-400x400.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="A man in a military battle jacket holds a young girl who is smiling and missing front teeth." loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Major Anthony Matacotta with daughter Talia: 鈥業 am interested in public policy because I want to enrich my understanding of what I have sworn to defend.鈥 Photo provided.</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span>Major Anthony Matacotta is more familiar with the cockpits of KC-130J Super Hercules, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, than he is with navigating the marble halls of Congress. But the Marietta, Georgia, native and Marine Corps aviator is looking forward to gaining 鈥渁 better appreciation for what Congress does and glean some insight into how legislating is really accomplished,鈥 he said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 that quote from&nbsp;<em>Hamilton</em>? 鈥業 want to be in the room where it happens.鈥欌</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Matacotta was excited to continue his academic education after earning a BS in political science from the United States Naval Academy in 2013. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淭he Marine Corps emphasizes the idea of being a lifelong learner through professional military education and personal enrichment and I have always wanted to seek higher education,鈥 he said. 鈥淪o, the chance to earn a masters degree and represent the Marine Corps in a Congressional office struck me as an incredible opportunity.鈥</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Returning to a college campus after nearly a decade, he said, he found himself in classrooms with students from a vast array of professional experiences and backgrounds. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淭he diversity of thought amongst everyone at George Mason fuels energized discourse and innovation,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 have learned so much from my classmates.鈥</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Matacotta praises all the courses and faculty at George Mason. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淢y favorite course so far has been statistics with [Associate Professor] Jessica Terman,鈥 he said. 鈥淚n a time where information abounds, but good information remains scarce, Dr. Terman鈥檚 course gave us the tools to extract truth from the noise.鈥</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Matacotta was drawn to the Schar School鈥檚 public policy program as a way to build on his commitment to public service developed during his military career.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淎s Marines, we swear an oath to defend the constitution,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 am interested in public policy because I want to enrich my understanding of what I have sworn to defend. Public policy is how the ideals of that Constitution are applied to address contemporary social, economic, and political issues.鈥</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Once the fellows earn their Schar School MPP degrees and serve their term on Capitol Hill, they return to uniformed duty. After that, they may reenlist or return to civilian life. Whatever the future holds for Matacotta, 鈥淚 hope to apply the knowledge and insights I gain at George Mason both during and after my military career,鈥 he said.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淚 am consistently impressed by the caliber of the students in the Marine cohort,鈥 said <a href="/profiles/njacob3">Noah Jacobson</a>, an adjunct professor of politics and government who has taught the cohort for the last five years. 鈥淭hey are driven and thoughtful, always eager to learn more. They play a key role as part of an invaluable program.鈥</span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淭here is a lot of policy that reaches out and touches the military and I hope to use what I learn at George Mason to help translate it to my Marines and the service writ large,鈥 Matacotta said. 鈥淎fter the military, I believe a better understanding of public policy will make me a better-informed citizen, able to effectively participate in government.鈥</span></span></p> <p><span><span><em>More than 4,700 of George Mason鈥檚 more than 40,000 students are military or veteran-connected. The university is designated a Military Friendly&nbsp;<sup>TM</sup>&nbsp;institution and has been rated as a top college for veterans by&nbsp;</em>U.S. News and World Report<em>. In fall 2024, the university鈥檚 incoming freshman transfer cohort was 20% military connected, and the incoming graduate cohort was 19% military connected.&nbsp;<a href="https://mvfi.gmu.edu/about-us/" target="_blank">See this webpage to learn about the Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative at George Mason</a>.</em></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/njacob3" hreflang="en">Noah Jacobson</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="1c72a300-8afd-4025-a86c-31d024e54a25"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://schar.gmu.edu/why-study-here/admissions/request-more-information"> <h4 class="cta__title">Request Schar School program information <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"> <div class="field field--name-field-cta-icon field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Icon</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-font-awesome-icon field--type-fontawesome-icon field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Icon</div> <div class="field__item"><div class="fontawesome-icons"> <div class="fontawesome-icon"> <i class="fas fa-info-circle" data-fa-transform data-fa-mask style="--fa-primary-color: #000000; --fa-secondary-color: #000000;"></i> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </span> </a> </div> </div> <div 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<div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="c0fdc01a-e1a9-462a-a6db-869d6bb24396" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="e9f839f7-f6b2-44e2-98b9-b2fba407b53a" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-21c8f43ca0b02c2ddfed720d41cdd8850fae3898d0a247f605061ea02fc13a34"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/george-mason-partners-dod-agency-bring-closure-families-lost-us-service-members" hreflang="en">George Mason partners with DoD agency to bring closure to the families of lost U.S. service members鈥 </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 28, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/schar-school-students-explore-geopolitics-and-human-security-cyprus" hreflang="en">Schar School Students Explore Geopolitics and Human Security in Cyprus</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 24, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/hina-kazmi-meet-schar-school-alum-who-launching-intro-space-policy" hreflang="en">Hina Kazmi: Meet the Schar School Alum Who Is Launching 鈥業ntro to Space Policy鈥</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/alumna-whitney-woods-lead-denver-domestic-violence-survivor-center" hreflang="en">Alumna Whitney Woods to Lead Denver Domestic Violence Survivor Center</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 7, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/south-border-deep-policy-study-abroad-students-tackle-us-mexico-relations-field" hreflang="en">South of the Border, Deep in Policy: Study-Abroad Students Tackle U.S.-Mexico Relations in the Field</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 7, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/556" hreflang="en">Schar School of Policy and Government</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18801" hreflang="en">Schar School Featured Stories</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20471" hreflang="en">Schar School News for November 2024</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20466" hreflang="en">Marine Corps Congressional Fellowship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2121" hreflang="en">Master of Public Policy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2076" hreflang="en">Military</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 06 Nov 2024 12:11:38 +0000 Andrew J Schappert 114546 at 海角社区 recognized for supporting military families through collaboration /news/2024-11/george-mason-university-recognized-supporting-military-families-through-collaboration <span>海角社区 recognized for supporting military families through collaboration </span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-11-04T09:17:27-05:00" title="Monday, November 4, 2024 - 09:17">Mon, 11/04/2024 - 09:17</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="x"><span class="intro-text">海角社区&nbsp;was recently recognized as a member of the Northern Virginia team that earned one of the four national <a href="https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/pete-taylor-partnership-of-excellence-awards/#:~:text=The%20Pete%20Taylor%20Partnership%20of%20Excellence%20Award%20recognizes%20successful%20partnerships,ultimately%20benefit%20military%2Dconnected%20children.">Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards</a> for 2024 from the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).</span></p> <div alt="Keith Renshaw on veterans" style="min-width: 50%;"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-video-embed-field field--type-video-embed-field field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eUljzdcpFlA?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>Now in its 20th year, the award recognizes and celebrates partnerships between military installations and nearby school districts that support K-12 children from military and veteran families, addressing their unique challenges that come from frequent relocations. There are approximately </span></span><span><a href="https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Month-of-the-Military-Child/"><span>1.6 million military-connected children in the United States</span></a></span><span><span>, with nearly 80% attending public schools. Each year, the coalition honors schools and military installations from around the world for their 鈥渆xceptional and sustainable鈥 efforts in celebrating military children.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>George Mason is part of the Fairfax County Military-Connected Youth Process Action Team, a collaboration between Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and George Mason鈥檚 </span></span><span><a href="https://mvfi.gmu.edu/"><span>Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative</span></a></span><span><span>. This team works to support military-connected students as they transition in and out of FCPS, ensuring their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs are met through ongoing events.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x">鈥淭his program is another terrific example of how George Mason鈥檚 Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative works to bring together faculty expertise, community partnership, and experiential learning for our students in service of the broader military and veteran population,鈥 said <a href="https://psychology.gmu.edu/people/krenshaw">Keith Renshaw</a>, MVFI director, &nbsp;professor in the <a href="https://psychology.gmu.edu/">Department of Psychology</a>, and George Mason鈥檚 senior associate provost for undergraduate education.</p> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>Studies show that military children typically move six to nine times between kindergarten and high school graduation鈥攁bout three times more often than their nonmilitary peers鈥攁s their parents change duty stations. These frequent moves can make it difficult for them to feel connected to their communities, a factor that is crucial to their success and well-being. Around </span></span><span><a href="https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/DoD-Education-Activities-(DoDEA)?serv=120"><span>900,000 military children have experienced a parent being deployed</span></a></span><span><span>, adding another layer of complexity to their lives.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>George Mason and Fort Belvoir officials worked directly with Ren茅e LaHuffman-Jackson, the director of family and school partnerships for FCPS.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>And that collaboration proved effective.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淭his award recognizes the value of community collaboration and working together to support the population,鈥 said&nbsp;</span></span><span><a href="https://cehd.gmu.edu/people/faculty/jpatrick/" target="_blank"><span><span>Jennifer Drake Patrick</span></span></a></span><span><span>, an associate professor at George Mason鈥檚&nbsp;</span></span><span><a href="https://cehd.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span><span>College of Education and Human Development</span></span></a></span><span><span>&nbsp;and a military spouse. 鈥淚t shows the power of coming together rather than working individually.鈥</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>Help from Mason came through consulting in course development for Fairfax educators in understanding military culture and strategies to engage and support military families and in collaborating to develop training for Student Ambassador Programs in area high schools. These initiatives serve to help K-12 schools create a more welcoming and supportive culture for military-connected students and their families.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x"><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淲e want the students with military connections to come in and feel connected,鈥 Drake Patrick said.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="x">&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="2033781b-3f36-4ac0-82d3-a9ce08706a3c"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://mvfi.gmu.edu/"> <h4 class="cta__title">Learn more about MVFI <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="7078826b-6703-4e96-8807-8a08245e8b88" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="81140c65-f869-4b46-8a2e-bdef95f24525" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-ea658ae61e06c24c9fb0d5a87e9bcf023cb76dc0761048fbd9436b3eb30f6906"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-06/george-mason-university-recognized-top-military-friendly-university" hreflang="en">海角社区 recognized as a top Military Friendly University</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 30, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-11/marine-veteran-changed-his-life-and-seeks-reach-others-need-positive-direction" hreflang="en">Marine veteran changed his life and seeks to reach others in need of positive direction</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">November 6, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-11/cockpits-capitol-hill-marine-corps-officer-charts-new-course-public-policy" hreflang="en">From Cockpits to Capitol Hill: Marine Corps Officer Charts New Course in Public Policy</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">November 6, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-11/george-mason-university-recognized-supporting-military-families-through-collaboration" hreflang="en">海角社区 recognized for supporting military families through collaboration </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">November 4, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-10/bov-hears-plans-expanding-veterans-services-and-considers-future-west-campus" hreflang="en">BOV hears plans for expanding veterans鈥 services and considers the future of West 海角社区 </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 4, 2024</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">海角社区 News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/191" hreflang="en">College of Education and Human Development</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16891" hreflang="en">K-12 Partnerships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2076" hreflang="en">Military</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17356" hreflang="en">Strategic Direction</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:17:27 +0000 Colleen Rich 114531 at BOV hears plans for expanding veterans鈥 services and considers the future of West 海角社区 /news/2024-10/bov-hears-plans-expanding-veterans-services-and-considers-future-west-campus <span>BOV hears plans for expanding veterans鈥 services and considers the future of West 海角社区 </span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-10-04T11:23:14-04:00" title="Friday, October 4, 2024 - 11:23">Fri, 10/04/2024 - 11:23</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">The 海角社区 Board of Visitors discussed the potential for a dedicated university center devoted to expanding academic programs and supports for former or current servicemembers and their families. </span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2024-10/240904007.jpg?itok=bRi36nfs" width="500" height="333" alt="students on walkway near Horizon Hall" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>More than 4,700 George Mason students have a military connection, said Keith Renshaw, senior </span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span>associate provost for undergraduate education </span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span>and director of the university鈥檚 Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI). Renshaw said the incoming </span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>freshman transfer cohort and incoming graduate cohort <span>his fall were both about 20% military connected.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淲e are seeing a proportionately&nbsp;larger increase in interest&nbsp;from that population in attending George&nbsp;Mason,鈥 Renshaw said during a presentation to the BOV鈥檚 development committee on Sept. 26. A substantial amount of George Mason鈥檚 research also focuses on issues relevant to the military and veteran community, and there are many direct services available to that population as part of many curricular and research programs across the university.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淲e have the opportunity to expand into a formalized center&nbsp;that serves as a national&nbsp;exemplar for how to do this at&nbsp;universities,鈥 Renshaw said.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><em><span><span><span><span><span>U.S. News &amp; World Report</span></span></span></span></span></em><span><span><span><span><span> last month cited George Mason as one of the best colleges for veterans, the latest in a series of recognition for how the university supports the military-connected population.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淲e live in a region with the highest concentration of military, active and veterans,鈥 said Jon Peterson, chairman of the board鈥檚 development committee. 鈥淲e want to make sure there is engagement between [the university and] students, family members. And that we support them with resources to make their lives better. We can be leaders in this around the country.鈥</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Renshaw said there is a strategic plan for the center to further develop, estimating it would take about $10 million鈥攑erhaps in the form of a naming gift鈥攖o get the center up and running.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>==</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Also at the Sept. 26 meeting, the Board of Visitors approved George Mason President Gregory Washington鈥檚 goals for the 2024-25 academic year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The goals cover the student experience; the impact of George Mason research; expanding partnerships; exemplifying a university culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion; investing in faculty and staff success; and timely communication and engagement with university stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>During his remarks, Washington cited recent state studies that highlight the university鈥檚 achievements and its state-leading efficiency in producing more graduates than any university in Virginia over the past decade.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淪eventy-three percent of our graduates stay in the state and are amongst the highest paid,鈥 Washington said. 鈥淎nd we graduate the most. We have the highest return on investment in the state. The state pays the least for a student here. And they literally get the most out of the students from here鈥. That鈥檚 a significant set of outcomes.鈥</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>==</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The BOV toured portions of the main Fairfax 海角社区 and West 海角社区 as part of the Sept. 26 meeting and heard a report from Washington about different options the university could pursue to develop that 190+-acre West 海角社区.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The proposed changes could include state-of-the-art athletic facilities, new residence halls, faculty and staff housing, and other amenities to give the campus a more vibrant sense of community and to ease housing costs on faculty and staff.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Washington said the university had not opened a new residence hall since 2015.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淚f you go back to 2017, people have been proposing expanding George Mason into West 海角社区,鈥 Washington said. 鈥淕o back to 1968. Way back then, there was a master plan in place to look at West 海角社区 expansion. It's part of an ongoing set of discussions. This is just the planning phase.鈥</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>In the coming months, university officials will meet with the Fairfax 海角社区 and Community Advisory Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, among other stakeholders.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淲e will be engaging the community in a very, very aggressive way,鈥 Washington said. 鈥淲e need to get all this input before we make a decision, and this is how we will engage individuals in order to get that. So this is not an indication of a final outcome.鈥 </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>==</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The BOV approved two new degree programs鈥攁n MS in behavior analysis in the College of Education and Human Development and the first PhD in cyber security engineering in Virginia. The proposals next will be presented to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The MS in behavior analysis proposal will be submitted to SCHEV this month. The PhD in cyber security engineering proposal likely will be submitted to SCHEV in spring or summer 2025.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The MS in behavior analysis, which would begin in fall 2025, </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>will prepare students to practice</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>behavior analysis in a variety of settings such as education, life and health coaching,</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>corporate and organizational behavior, and geriatrics. Graduates of the proposed degree program will be able to assess behavior and develop</span></span></span></span> <span><span><span><span>interventions to address behavioral issues.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Pending SCHEV approval, the PhD in cyber security engineering would launch in fall 2026. The proposed program responds to the escalating challenges of an increasingly interconnected and digitized world, addresses the shortage of experts, fosters a robust research community in Virginia, and contributes to the evolution of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in cybersecurity.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://vimeo.com/showcase/bov">Watch the meeting here</a>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="db2ffae8-c242-40b9-8e60-346c649b79f9"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://vimeo.com/showcase/bov"> <h4 class="cta__title">Watch the full meeting <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="f18ccaec-ec7a-44fe-ba93-51d7d7cfee43" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="9726250a-6d4e-4bfd-863e-ad8e6409a13b" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-0a44d49da93709941eb3ff3d4c086652476540dc5843c8611db37effbec47531"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/george-masons-summer-camps-introduce-k-12-students-stem-fields-and-life-college-campus" hreflang="en">George Mason鈥檚 summer camps introduce K-12 students to STEM fields and life on a college campus鈥 </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 4, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/fulbright-awards-expand-george-mason-faculty-and-staff-perspectives" hreflang="en">Fulbright awards expand George Mason faculty and staff perspectives </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 4, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/global-summit-looks-future-education" hreflang="en">Global summit looks at the future of education</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 25, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/statement-board-visitors-regarding-new-federal-investigations" hreflang="en">Statement from Board of Visitors regarding new federal investigations</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 22, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-07/george-mason-launches-virginias-first-robotics-phd" hreflang="en">George Mason launches Virginia鈥檚 first robotics PhD</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">July 22, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">海角社区 News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/841" hreflang="en">Board of Visitors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2076" hreflang="en">Military</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 04 Oct 2024 15:23:14 +0000 Colleen Rich 114091 at 海角社区 honored as a top Military Friendly University /news/2024-05/george-mason-university-honored-top-military-friendly-university <span>海角社区 honored as a top Military Friendly University</span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-28T11:21:14-04:00" title="Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - 11:21">Tue, 05/28/2024 - 11:21</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">海角社区鈥檚 commitment to the military community was officially recognized with a top designation as a 2024-25 Gold Military Friendly庐 School in the latest Military Friendly listings.</span></p> <div class="align-right"> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2024-05/msfs24-25_gold_300x300.png" width="300" height="300" alt="military friendly circle" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>George Mason was among the 243 schools recognized with 鈥淕old鈥 status for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs in the listing of the nation鈥檚 top Military Friendly</span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>庐 </span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>institutions for the 2024-25 school year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>鈥淭his recognition is only possible thanks to the supportive relationships we have built with individual offices, programs, and colleges,鈥 said Jennifer Connors, director of George Mason鈥檚 <a href="https://military.gmu.edu/">Office of Military Services</a>. 鈥淟eadership, faculty, and staff have an unwavering commitment to those who serve. Given our location in the National Capital Region, we have a deep-rooted culture of appreciation. 海角社区 is dedicated to ensuring that our military members, veterans, and their families receive the respect and resources they deserve.鈥</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>About 10% of George Mason students are current or former military, or military dependents. George Mason鈥檚 nursing and education online master鈥檚 programs for veterans are Top 20 nationally, and business is top 50. More than 2,000 Mason students using Veterans Affairs education benefits, and more &nbsp;than 100 are using Department of Defense Federal Tuition Assistance. Almost 800 use the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>George Mason also has about 1,000 veterans who are adjuncts, administrative and professional faculty, instructional faculty or research faculty, classified staff, or student or wage employees.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The university鈥檚 <a href="https://mvfi.gmu.edu/">Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative</a> strengthens bonds and builds community among veteran students, alumni and families, and supports the education, well-being and professional development of veterans.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>More than 1,800 schools were evaluated from public data sources and a proprietary survey, with 537 recognized with &nbsp;Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. The entire list will be published in <em>G.I. Jobs</em> magazine鈥檚 May issue and can also be found at </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.militaryfriendly.com/"><span><span><span>militaryfriendly.com</span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory, an independent research firm that connects the military community to civilian employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. Criteria included student retention, graduation rates, job placement, student loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and student veterans in particular.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">海角社区 News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2076" hreflang="en">Military</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7731" hreflang="en">Office of Military Services</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17356" hreflang="en">Strategic Direction</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 28 May 2024 15:21:14 +0000 Colleen Rich 112291 at Student Ambassadors help military-connected families feel welcomed in Fairfax /news/2023-07/student-ambassadors-help-military-connected-families-feel-welcomed-fairfax <span>Student Ambassadors help military-connected families feel welcomed in Fairfax </span> <span><span>Sarah Holland</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-07-10T09:55:40-04:00" title="Monday, July 10, 2023 - 09:55">Mon, 07/10/2023 - 09:55</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><h2><span><span><span>In a conference room in Merten Hall at 海角社区 20 high school students sit in absolute silence. </span></span></span></h2> <p><span><span><span>At each table, teams of two play each other in a card game. But something is amiss: pairs look at each other across the table in confusion. Frustrated fingers poke at the score sheet, then to the pile of cards. Heads shake and nod emphatically as someone goes to take the pile, a wordless argument over who is right.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2023-07/student%20ambassador%20in%20copy%203.jpg?itok=n2IECXhE" width="350" height="350" alt="April Mattix Foster leads a session on intercultural competency" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>April Mattix Foster leads a session on intercultural competency. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>April Mattix Foster, associate professor of education In Mason鈥檚 College of Education and Human Development, then reveals the twist: 鈥淵ou are all playing by different rules.鈥</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The silence rule lifted, and the room erupted: shock, surprise, and exclamations of 鈥淚 knew it!鈥</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This is a lesson, Foster explains, in intercultural competence. Every school has its own culture, its own rules, she tells them. Their challenge as student ambassadors is to support new students by sharing these new rules while also being mindful of the rules and expectations they鈥檙e bringing to the table. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This was one breakout room of the Student Ambassador Convening, a collaboration between the <a href="https://cehd.gmu.edu/">College of Education and Human Development</a> (CEHD), the <a href="https://mvfi.gmu.edu/">Military Families and Veteran Initiative</a> (MVFI), the Virginia Department of Education, and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Nearly 100 student representatives and 20 advisors from 13 FCPS high schools gathered on Mason鈥檚 Fairfax 海角社区 in June for a day of workshops and team-building activities to support the student <a>ambassadors</a> program: a school-based, student-led leadership program that brings together military and civilian peers to welcome all new students and create a sense of belonging in the school. As part of their Purple Star Designation, Virginia K-12 schools must show evidence of maintaining an active student ambassador program. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>While there is an emphasis in the program on understanding the experiences of military-connected youth as they transition in and out of area high schools, any student transitioning into the FCPS system will be supported and assisted by the ambassadors.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>鈥淭his is a peer-led program creating a sense of community in our schools,鈥 explained Jennifer Drake Patrick, associate professor of education and member of the leadership team for MVFI. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e there to ensure that new students have someone to sit with at lunch, to show them to their classes, and to suggest clubs and extracurriculars. They help students feel welcomed and supported in whatever way makes the most sense for their school culture and community.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Students spent the day learning about positive leadership, active listening, and holding intentional conversations. The day culminated in a brainstorming session which empowered the ambassadors to take the lead in considering how to improve their school鈥檚 programming in the fall. </span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2023-07/student%20ambassador%20in%20copy%202.jpg?itok=l88HZgp5" width="350" height="350" alt="Cedric Price and Phil Wilkerson talk to their room of students about leadership" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Cedric Price, left, and Philip Wilkerson describe leadership to their breakout room.&nbsp;Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span><span>鈥淭he students take the ideas and conversations they鈥檝e heard today from our speakers and their peers, and bring that all back into their schools,鈥 said Cedric Price, BA Integrative Studies 鈥21 and MEd Curriculum and Instruction 鈥22. As the founding president of Educators Rising, Price was invited back to Mason to co-led a session with fellow alum Philip Wilkerson, MEd Counseling and Development 鈥12, on using your assets to guide your leadership. 鈥淚t makes the schools more community-centered, more friendly, and more inclusive for who they are meant to serve.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>While the hands-on workshops and networking opportunities are critical for the success and growth of the program, there鈥檚 another benefit to having the students convene at Mason: introducing high school students to higher education. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>鈥淎s a school of education, we want to think about how we can create valuable partnerships with local schools, and this is a great opportunity to do so,鈥 said Drake Patrick.</span> 鈥淢any of these students have never been to a college campus. This gives them the opportunity to see who Mason is and what the college experience is like."</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>McKenna Seay, an integrative studies major with a concentration in education studies and <a href="/admissions-aid/accelerated-masters">Bachelors to Accelerated Masters (BAM)</a> pathway student for elementary education, was also supporting the event through Educators Rising. She was a student ambassador when she was in high school and was excited to see how the program <a>has</a> grown. 鈥<span>Colleges and high schools can learn a lot from each other, so to see that collaboration at an event like this makes me happy.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>鈥淐ollege was put on such a pedestal when I was in high school, and while my teachers said I would do well, it felt so out of reach,鈥 said </span>Sophia Castle, an integrative studies major concentrating in social sciences for education and fellow member of Educators Rising. Castle is also in the BAM program, working towards an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction. 鈥淭<span>he more that high schools and colleges can connect with each other, it will help students realize that college is attainable.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>鈥淢ason takes its role as a state and public institution very seriously. Opportunities like this allow us to serve the community and keep alumni engaged, all while giving our students experiential, hands-on learning in supporting military-connected youth,鈥 said MVFI director Keith Renshaw, Psychology Department chair. 鈥淚n the Washington, D.C., metro region, where we have a lot of military personnel, knowing that Mason is committed and cares for the community鈥攕pecifically the military community鈥攕peaks volumes.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/191" hreflang="en">College of Education and Human Development</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3126" hreflang="en">College of Humanities and Social Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3846" hreflang="en">Fairfax County schools</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14436" hreflang="en">Bachelor鈥檚/Acclerated Master鈥檚 Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">海角社区 News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:55:40 +0000 Sarah Holland 106441 at Virginia recognizes Jennifer Connors with award for military education excellence /news/2021-12/virginia-recognizes-jennifer-connors-award-military-education-excellence <span>Virginia recognizes Jennifer Connors with award for military education excellence </span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-12-03T14:48:42-05:00" title="Friday, December 3, 2021 - 14:48">Fri, 12/03/2021 - 14:48</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2021-12/CMSgt%20Connors%2C%20Jennifer%202.jpg" width="350" height="438" alt="Chief Master Sargent Jennifer Conners in US Air Force Uniform" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Jennifer Connors. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span>From one veteran liaison position and a single cubicle in the <a href="/admissions-aid">Office of Admissions</a> to a full-service standalone resource center, <span>the </span><a href="https://military.gmu.edu/">Office of Military Services</a><span> (OMS</span>) at 海角社区 has grown to support the more than 3,500 military-affiliated students.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>The person behind this effort: Jennifer Connors, founding director of OMS. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淛ennifer has been the visionary and architect of everything 鈥榲eteran鈥 within the Mason community,鈥 said Ryan Barnett, OMS鈥 associate director. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Connors, a former 鈥嬧媍hief master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, said: 鈥淢y job for a very long time in the military was taking care of people.鈥</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Connors is the first recipient of the Admiral John Harvey Career Achievement in Military Education Excellence Award, which was presented by the Virginia Department of Veteran Services in September.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>This honor is awarded to an employee of an education or training facility who is directly involved in the delivery of military education programs and has worked at least five years with military-related students while demonstrating dedication and leadership in providing quality service, leadership, and innovation.&nbsp; </span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>鈥淛ennifer and her team have created an inclusive, supportive environment for members of the military community in OMS,鈥 Alan Byrd, Mason鈥檚 dean of admissions, said. 鈥淚t makes all the difference in the world for our students.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2021-12/OMS%20Team%202021.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Jennifer Connors with the Office of Military Services team" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Jennifer Connors with her Office of Military Services team. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span>The award is special, Connors said, because it coincides with her 10 years of service at Mason. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淚 have an incredible staff and student veteran population that got me to this point,鈥 Connors said<span>. 鈥淚t鈥檚 reflective of our community as a whole.鈥<strong> </strong></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span>Since she was hired in 2011 as the first director of military services at Mason and the first female director of a college veteran center in Virginia, Connors鈥 role as a servant leader hasn鈥檛 faltered. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淪he works tirelessly to remove barriers for students and to position them for success at Mason and beyond,鈥 Byrd said. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Connors said her work never feels like a job.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淚'm serving my country by continuing our mission here at Mason to make sure that our veteran population is supported and a part of our community and successful,鈥 she said. </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Connors does everything from providing student counseling sessions for benefits and academic support to giving feedback on legislation to Congress.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>In November, Connors helped launch OMS鈥 partnership with Mason鈥檚 <a href="https://lgbtq.gmu.edu/">LGBTQ+ Resources Center.</a> She also aided in creating Mason鈥檚 <a href="https://mvfi.gmu.edu/">Military, Veterans, and Family Initiative (MVFI)</a>, a one-stop shop for Mason veteran support services ranging from mental health resources to legal and recreational support.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>Connors said the guiding principle at OMS is 鈥測ou don鈥檛 leave anyone behind.鈥&nbsp; </span></span></p> <p><span><span>Connors enlisted in the Air Force in June 1995, transitioned to the Air Force Reserve in 2010, and retired from the Reserve in July <span>2020. She became the first female chief master sergeant of the Force Generation Center while serving as superintendent from June 2018 until her retirement.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span>鈥淭hrough her tireless efforts, initiative, and leadership, Jennifer Connors sets the standard for military education professionals,鈥 Barnett said. </span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4971" hreflang="en">Veterans</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7731" hreflang="en">Office of Military Services</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7551" hreflang="en">Awards</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2076" hreflang="en">Military</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 19:48:42 +0000 Colleen Rich 60931 at Mason doctoral students selected as this year鈥檚 Tillman Scholars /news/2021-11/mason-doctoral-students-selected-years-tillman-scholars <span>Mason doctoral students selected as this year鈥檚 Tillman Scholars</span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-11-09T10:15:28-05:00" title="Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - 10:15">Tue, 11/09/2021 - 10:15</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span><span><span>海角社区 doctoral students LeNaya Crandall Hezel and Lt. Col. Michelle Ruehl<strong> </strong>are being recognized for their service work and desire to make an impact. The two are part of the 2021 class of Tillman Scholars, named in honor of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 while serving with the U.S. Army Rangers.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Hezel is a military spouse and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consultant working on a PhD in sociology, and Ruehl is an Air Force pilot and English teacher working on a PhD in Writing and Rhetoric. The women are two are the 60 scholars chosen from thousands of applicants this year by the Chicago-based Pat Tillman Foundation. </span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2021-11/210920602.jpg" width="1200" height="825" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Sociology PhD student LeNaya Crandall Hezel is a Tillman Scholar and a 2021 Stand-To Veterans Leadership Program Scholar. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><strong><span>LeNaya Crandall Hezel</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>A classically trained soprano, Hezel is now using her voice to advocate for DEI. During the tumultuous 2020, she started NayceQuest LLC to guide organizations as they discover meaningful ways to be equitable and inclusive. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>She said that when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, her husband, who serves in the U.S. Navy, had just returned from a deployment in Djibouti, and at home with her three daughters, she was thinking 鈥淗ow are we going to do this?鈥 She made the decision to step away from her full-time job as the inaugural veterans office director at Georgetown University and be a full-time student. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淭hen George Floyd鈥檚 death happened, and I couldn't sit on the sidelines and be like, 鈥業'm just going to let the rest of the world figure it out,鈥欌 said Hezel, who is also a 2021 Stand-To Veterans Leadership Program Scholar with the Bush Institute. 鈥淲hen I recognized where the need and the demands for this work were, I took action.鈥 </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Growing up, Hezel had two nicknames, Nay and Ace, which she merged into Nayce for the name of her company. Through NayceQuest LLC, she has been helping organizations move beyond 鈥渃hecking the box鈥 when it comes to implementing DEI in the workplace. For this work Hezel said she is using a sociology lens and </span><span><span>institutional ethnography, looking at the differences between 鈥渨hat's being said versus what is actually happening in the day-to-day practices.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>With her dissertation, Hezel again puts the need of veterans and her previous work with the veterans and military community at the forefront as she looks at campus veteran resource centers and whether they have an impact on student academic success, specifically undergraduate student veteran graduation rates.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>鈥淢y hypothesis is the schools that have the resource center or the dedicated office, they're going to have higher graduation rates,鈥 said Hezel. 鈥淏ut there's no research on that so I hope to fill that gap.鈥</span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2021-11/Sonic%20kids%20school%20afghanistan.jpg" width="502" height="344" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Writing and rhetoric PhD student and Air Force pilot Michelle Ruehl often taught English as a volunteer during her deployments. Here she is with some of her students in Afghanistan. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><strong><span>Lt. Col. Michelle Ruehl </span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>Things move fast in Ruehl鈥檚 world, and not just because she is an Air Force pilot. She started her doctoral studies at Mason in 2021 after a year as a White House Fellow where she worked as a speech writer for a number of leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>When she found out her next assignment would be at the Pentagon, working with the Joint Chiefs of Staff for three years, she quickly scrambled to get herself in a PhD program. Ruehl has been teaching English and aviation at the Air Force Academy with two master鈥檚 degrees, one in English and another in psychology.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淚've taught now in higher ed for eight years, and I would love to keep doing that,鈥 Ruehl said of adding a PhD to her list of credentials. 鈥淸The academy] doesn't require pilots to have a PhD, and I realized, when I get out of the Air Force, I will actually have to compete for jobs with the real professors.鈥</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Even before the Air Force Academy gig, Ruehl was finding her way into the classroom. She tells of flying planes over Afghanistan at night and volunteering to teach English during the day. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>As the daughter of a musician and the granddaughter of a choir director, she said she also finds teaching English to be an excuse for bringing in other parts of the humanities, including music. Music really made a difference in one of those Afghanistan classrooms in which she was teaching a group of men.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淭hey want to learn English so badly that they were willing to kind of put up with me,鈥 said the mother of two. 鈥淏ut they wouldn't look at me.鈥</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>To break the ice, she brought her guitar to class and sang a song in Dari that she learned online. </span></span></span><span><span><span>鈥淥f course, I was butchering it,鈥 she said of the song.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>But soon the students were laughing and asking her where she learned the song鈥攁nd if she could play Michael Jackson. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淢usic was able to break down 3,000 years of cultural differences,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t took a couple of weeks, but then we could get to the writing.鈥</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>After her last deployment, Ruehl and her husband started the nonprofit Parwana LEADership Legacy to honor the friends they lost in the war and the people of Afghanistan. They provide leadership programs to veterans and their families. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>She also created a camp curriculum for kids that teaches empathy, active listening and service, often using horses. Each camp session is dedicated to a service member who was lost in Iraq or Afghanistan.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淚t felt like the only thing I could do when I came back from my deployment was to find a way to keep saying their names,鈥 she said.</span></span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/13611" hreflang="en">Tillman Scholars</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/391" hreflang="en">College of Humanities and Social Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7731" hreflang="en">Office of Military Services</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:15:28 +0000 Colleen Rich 57036 at The Secret鈥檚 Out: Mason is a military-friendly institution /news/2021-07/secrets-out-mason-military-friendly-institution <span>The Secret鈥檚 Out: Mason is a military-friendly institution</span> <span><span>Melanie Balog</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-07-29T10:01:21-04:00" title="Thursday, July 29, 2021 - 10:01">Thu, 07/29/2021 - 10:01</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span><span><span>海角社区 has been named a 鈥榤ilitary friendly鈥 university for the 10th time by Viqtory, Military Friendly, and other evaluators. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>About 4,000 of our students have a military affiliation through dependency, service or a spouse.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Our Military, Veterans and Family Initiative (MVFI), launched in 2020, brings together all of Mason鈥檚 military services and benefits and allows veterans and their families to take advantage of a range of assistance that supports their education, well-being and professional development.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>It鈥檚 a one-stop shop where veterans and their families can apply for scholarships, join fellowship programs and internships, and access resources, including free legal clinics, psychological services and academic counseling.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>鈥淎 veteran is just like any adult learner pursuing an education, with the exception that they have an incredible skill set from [their] military experience,鈥 said Jennifer Connors, director of Mason鈥檚 Office of Military Services.</span></span></span></p> <div class="align-center" style="min-width: 50%;"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-video-embed-field field--type-video-embed-field field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="video-embed-field-provider-youtube video-embed-field-responsive-video"><iframe width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pPPCOyWv1ow?autoplay=0&amp;start=0&amp;rel=0"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11891" hreflang="en">Meet Us</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">海角社区 News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/86" hreflang="en">Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:01:21 +0000 Melanie Balog 47651 at