Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Celebration of Student Scholarship and Impact
Undergraduate students will share their research projects at the Celebration of Student Scholarship and Impact on Tuesday, May 6, from noon to 3:30 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall.
The event will feature poster presentations, musical performances, videos, food trucks, and more. This event is presented by the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR).
Patriot Packout Happening through May 14
Patriot Packout is an opportunity to donate like-new and gently used items at the Fairfax Campus, Science and Technology Campus, and the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. During residential move-out, Patriot Packout diverts items from the waste stream and makes them available to those who can use them. Learn about accepted donation items, campus drop-off locations, and volunteer opportunities.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to donate items. Donations are redistributed to George Mason Patriots, on-campus resources, and local community organizations, preventing useful items from ending up in the trash. Patriot Packout’s donations this spring will support the Patriot Pantry, Trans Clothing Closet, Art Supply Sharing Cabinet, First Gen+ Center, The MIX, Parking and Transportation's bike programs, and Food for Others, and more.
Open Enrollment Is Coming Soon
It’s almost time to make important choices about your benefits for the upcoming year. Open Enrollment starts Friday, May 16, and ends Friday, May 30, so be sure to mark your calendar. This is your annual opportunity to:
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Review and update your health insurance
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Add or remove dependents
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Choose new benefits or make changes to existing ones
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Take advantage of flexible spending accounts Health FSA and Dependent FSA
Keep an eye out for more details, plan guides, and enrollment instructions. Don’t miss out—this is your once-a-year chance to ensure your benefits meet your needs. For questions, contact benefits@gmu.edu.
Degree and Certificate Milestones: Let’s Celebrate Your Success
George Mason classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, adjunct faculty, and non-student wage employees are invited to share information regarding degrees or certificates (trade certification/license, associate's, bachelor's, master's, graduate certificate, doctorate, etc.) that they have earned during this current academic year. Human Resources would like to share the great news and feature stories of George Mason faculty and staff who are seeking continual education and professional development.
Complete the Celebrate Degree/Certificate Milestones Survey by Friday, May 16, and the Faculty and Staff Engagement team will follow up with you on your successes! For questions, contact awards@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
University Life Student Success Symposium
The University Life Student Success Symposium is a chance to connect with colleagues, learn about innovative practices to support your work, and explore strategies to foster student engagement. The symposium will take place at the Fairfax Campus on Wednesday, June 4, with pre-conference sessions on Tuesday, June 3. Get the details and register.
Stearns Center Workshop: High-Impact Practices
Are you interested in developing learning experiences where students can apply their skills and competencies in and beyond the classroom? Participate in a two-part workshop series from the Stearns Center. Fundamentals of Effective Teaching explains the critical elements of teaching today’s students. High-Impact Practices and Applied Learning shows you how to use transparent assignment design for courses with internships, undergraduate research, and project-based learning. This is a two-part series, and the first workshop will be offered on Monday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom. Learn more and register.
Join Mason 101
Are you new to the Mason Nation, or want to enhance your knowledge about the university? Mason 101 is a two-hour information session that covers the history of George Mason University, the university's organizational structure, resources, and looks ahead to the future. The next session is Friday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to noon (in-person, Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 2001). Get more information and register.
Resources for You
Resource Expo for Federal Employees and Contractors
Community members can discover job opportunities, resources, and career-themed workshops at the Next Steps: Resource Expo at Mason Square on Wednesday, May 28, from 12:30–5:30 p.m. More than 40 employers and service providers will be in attendance. Sessions will be available on transferable skills, using AI for a job search, activating your resilience for well-being, and more.
Contact jobseeker@arlingtonva.us with questions. This event is brought to you by Arlington County Government and Employment Center, City of Alexandria Government and Workforce Development Center, George Mason University, and Virginia Career Works Alexandria/Arlington Region. Registration is not required, but is available to you should you wish to receive updates from the event host. Learn more.
Heal Together
Heal Together is an event that brings together individuals for a day dedicated to healing, self-care, and wellness. Through curated experiences that blend movement, mindfulness, and cultural insights, the event provides an inclusive space where individuals can restore balance and build community.
This event will take place across the Fairfax, Mason Square, and SciTech campuses on Wednesday, April 30. RSVP. Highlights include:
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Guided yoga and meditation
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Creative spaces and sensory-friendly areas with hands-on activities like painting and coloring
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Breakout sessions
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Panel discussion exploring Indigenous and non-western healing traditions
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A full day of free refreshments, including lunch and morning/afternoon snacks
Esports Summer Camp for Teens at George Mason
Gamers and parents of gamers: George Mason University Esports is hosting an Esports Summer Camp in June and July for ages 13–18. If your child is passionate about gaming and is interested in exploring college gaming opportunities, this is a great way to introduce them to structured gaming experiences and skills development workshops, as well as other great things happening on campus. Camp is intended for all skill levels, and sizable discounts are available for George Mason community members. Get more information.
Celebrate Commencement with the Alumni Association
The Alumni Association invites the Mason Nation to upcoming events to celebrate the Class of 2025. Check the full list of events for registration and ticket information, if applicable.
Pancakes for Patriots
Monday, May 12, 7–10 a.m.
Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall Lawn
Stop by Merten Hall Lawn to receive a complimentary breakfast box to kickstart your day. Enjoy networking with alumni and volunteers and fuel up for a productive day. While supplies last.
Grad Toast
Wednesday, May 14, 6–8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall Lawn
Graduates are invited to come together with their family and friends to celebrate the completion of their degree. The Grad Toast is a chance for graduates to share their excitement for the future, thank mentors or loved ones for their support, and bond with peers before moving on to the next chapter. Tickets are available for purchase and include food, beverages, spirit items, and entertainment.
Zoom Your City
Tuesday, June 3, 7–9 p.m.
Virtual
Alumni are invited to connect with fellow Patriots in their new hometowns. George Mason is virtually visiting cities around the country, so graduates can register for their city's breakout room to meet other alumni.
Cinema on the Plaza: Mamma Mia!
Grab your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and come to Mason Square Plaza for a free outdoor movie night. Families and friends are welcome. The movie on Friday, May 9, will be Mamma Mia! The movie starts at 8 p.m. Learn more.
Seed Library at Fenwick
The new Seed Library is located on a cart on the first floor of Fenwick Library on the Fairfax Campus. The library includes books and online resources that can help you learn to garden. Seed libraries have grown in popularity around the country, found in public libraries, community centers, community gardens, makerspaces, and university libraries. A seed library is stocked with seeds, which patrons take, grow, and then, if possible, return seeds to the library. The emphasis, however, is on the taking and growing of seeds, and less on the drying and returning of seeds. Seed libraries promote growing your own food, well-being, community, and learning in a hands-on way.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
George Mason School of Theater: 12 Angry Jurors
April 30 to May 4, multiple performances
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, TheaterSpace
Trapped together in a sweltering jury room, the tensions rise along with the heat as 12 ordinary people must decide the guilt or innocence of a young person accused of murder. What begins as a seemingly simple decision becomes more complex as ingrained ideas, systemic racism, and diverging perspectives collide. A thoughtful and poignant look at the consequences of our actions (or lack thereof), this show asks how you determine the truth when faced with a life-or-death decision.
Spring: Dance Innovations
George Mason School of Dance
Friday, May 2, at 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The creative School of Dance students present their own choreography. Always relevant and fresh, this evening of adjudicated works will have something for everyone.
Virginia Opera: Loving v. Virginia
Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony present the the highly anticipated world premiere of Loving v. Virginia. A young couple's interracial marriage in 1958 sparks a case that leads to the Supreme Court and a victory for civil rights in the United States. This operatic retelling is based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving.
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert: Concerto Competition Winners
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Monday, May 5, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join the spring finale concert featuring the Mason Symphony Orchestra, with conductors Soo Han and Michael Stern. The Mason Symphony Orchestra will feature three winners of the 2025 Mason Concerto Competition: Bolun Zhang (piano) will perform the third movement of Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor; Nathan Plapinger (euphonium) will perform the first movement of Cosma's Euphonium Concerto; and Kai Shi (piano) will perform the first movement of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major.
May Studio Series
School of Dance
Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, Dance Performance Studio
Enjoy an evening of student work in one of the School of Dance studios, transformed into an intimate theater.
Dewberry School of Music Honors Recital
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Saturday, May 10, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The Honors Recital is a premier recital opportunity for Dewberry School of Music exceptional student performers in the vocal, instrumental, and piano areas. These outstanding student artists (soloists and chamber musicians) have been selected for this prestigious Honors Recital by audition.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Armed Forces Day Celebration
Saturday, May 17, at 8 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Center
Commemorate Armed Forces Day with a patriotic musical tribute performed by the American Festival Pops Orchestra in collaboration with George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative. The orchestra will perform a salute to the community’s veterans featuring the music of Barber, Copland, and John Williams, plus other patriotic classics. Special guests Anthony J. Maiello and Darden Purcell join Maestro Wilson and the orchestra.