Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? Review announcement guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit to efiles@gmu.edu.
Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Nominations for Jack Wood Award for Town/Gown Relations
In honor of Jack Wood, former mayor of the then-Town of Fairfax, Mason's Office of Government and Community Relations presents this community-wide award program to recognize faculty, staff, students, businesses/not-for-profits, community members, and elected officials/staff who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually-beneficial relationships between the university and the community.
To nominate yourself or someone else, submit the online form by March 19.
Those with community relations/outreach as a primary responsibility in their job description are not eligible.
Award Recipients will be notified by April 9, with an award ceremony held May 6 in conjunction with the Board of Visitors meeting.
Visit the website for details.
Questions? Contact Traci Kendall at tkendal2@gmu.edu.
Patriot Pathbreakers Team Award: Nominations Due March 5
Do you know a high-performing, collaborative team that embodies the Mason value, We thrive together?
If so, the Staff Senate and Human Resources and Payroll are accepting nominations until March 5 for the brand-new Patriot Pathbreakers Award.
Two teams will be chosen and honored at the Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony on April 13, 10–11:30 a.m. Visit the website for more details and the nomination form.
Questions? Contact awards@gmu.edu.
Equinox Explorers Club: Spring Break Program for Kids
Business Services Administration and the Patriot Learning Pod are pleased to announce the Equinox Explorers Club, a week-long program during spring break for most local school districts (March 29 to April 2).
Activities will include arts and crafts, science topics, language arts, and other fun and educational activities. Space availability currently will limit the camp to 8–10 children, ages kindergarten through third grade. Organizers would like to hear if parents of older children would also be interested in attending.
Registration should open soon and is anticipated to cost $199 for the children of Mason faculty/staff and $219 for non-Mason attendees.
Organizers would love to hear feedback as they finish up the design of this program. Contact plp@gmu.edu with questions or suggestions.
Patriot Learning Pod
Mason's Patriot Learning Pod is open with spaces available!
George Mason University is providing the Patriot Learning Pod (PLP) as a proctored, self-study learning environment for children of faculty, staff, and students.
The PLP provides a safe place for children to do virtual schoolwork while their parents come to work at Mason’s Fairfax Campus.
The cost is currently $15/session with code PLP_EARLY. Morning and afternoon sessions are open now through May 31.
Learn more and register at plp.gmu.edu.
Save the Dates for Virtual Bike to Mason Celebration: April 19–23
Join a virtual Bike to Mason celebration this year during Earth Week, April 19–23. Virtual events will highlight Mason programs and facilities and provide online training on various aspects of biking.
The schedule will be posted at bike.gmu.edu when available. In the meantime, if you have suggestions about classes you would like to attend, reach out to Parking and Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
Virtual Mason Leadership Summit: Innovative Leadership for Adult Learners and Student Parents
Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Mason Leadership Summit: Innovative Leadership for Adult Learners (25 years old and up) and Student Parents.
Participants will learn practical ways to further develop as leaders in multiple contexts (career, family, community, etc.), whether they have a formal leadership position or not.
This summit is hosted by the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Office and Contemporary Student Services.
Open to students, faculty, and staff. For more information and to register, visit lead.gmu.edu/summit.
Stearns Center Webinar: Basic Questions about Accessibility in Online Courses
All learning begins with access. With accessible online courses, instructors provide educational opportunities to all students.
Join the Stearns Center on Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 1–2 p.m. to learn about accessibility basics and how to ensure accessibility of your online course materials.
Facilitators Korey Singleton, Assistive Technology Initiative, and Darlene Smucny, Stearns Center, will:
- Answer basic questions about accessibility and how to make sure an online course is accessible
- Discuss resources and services for accessibility available to Mason faculty from the Assistive Technology Initiative
- Demonstrate Blackboard Ally, an accessibility tool now available in all Mason Blackboard courses
Register here. Questions? Contact stearns@gmu.edu.
Resources for You
Mason Arts at Home: Upcoming Performances
Prince William Little Theatre: Relationships in COVID Times
Hylton at Home
Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7:15 p.m.
Virtual Event
Prince William Little Theatre presents a collection of performances about navigating relationships in the midst of a pandemic in this cabaret-style evening featuring music, theater, and dance. Don’t miss this impressive showcase of local talent!
Film Screening: "The Sun and the Medicine Man"
A film by Andrew Jorgensen
Friday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a screening of Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award Recipient Andrew Jorgensen’s short film,"The Sun and the Medicine Man." The screening will be followed by a behind-the-scenes conversation featuring Jorgensen (writer, producer, and cinematographer) and film director Paul Higgins. The film—based on Jorgensen's family legend—follows a Mexican-American family living in and managing a small suburban motel. When the family seeks the assistance of a medicine man, they are given a jar of mysterious liquid which, with the power of the sun, heals their old physical wounds as well as some internal ones.
Story Corner: “The Trouble with Ben”
Written by Barry Louis Polisar, illustrated by David Clark
Hylton at Home
Saturday, Feb. 20, at 10:15 a.m.
Virtual Event
Join members of Sound Impact for this musical Story Corner. The Hylton Performing Arts Center and the Prince William Public Library System have joined forces to continue Hylton at Home Story Corner, a virtual performing arts story time this spring. Read and performed by Rebecca Jackson (violin), Tiffany Richardson (viola), and Danielle Cho (cello).
Alumni Cocktails and Conversation: Artist Entrepreneurs
Mason Arts at Home
Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m.
Virtual Event
Creative industry careers are arguably some of the most challenging in normal times, and the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new level of uncertainty. Hear from industry experts within the College of Visual and Performing Arts community about how they are thriving and moving forward in their careers. Artist entrepreneurs discuss how they applied their Mason arts training in successful business ventures in the arts and beyond.
Reminder: No DMV2Go Scheduled at the Fairfax Campus
A reminder that due to COVID-19, there are no scheduled visits by DMV2Go at the Fairfax Campus for 2021.