Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
March Staff Senate Meeting
The March Staff Senate meeting will feature George Mason University Rector Horace Blackman, who leads the university’s Board of Visitors.
March Staff Senate Meeting
Wednesday, March 6, 10 a.m. to noon
Constituents are invited to attend in person on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall, Room 1201, or join the meeting via Zoom.
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at Mason. Working closely with university administration, they address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the Mason community.
Nominations for the Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations
The Jack Wood Award highlights the outstanding contributions of 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. This distinction honors former Mayor Jack Wood, who played an instrumental role in establishing Mason in Fairfax and town-gown relations between the university and the community.
Nominations are due March 15. Self-nominations are welcome. Community relations/outreach professionals are not eligible. Awardees will be notified by March 29. The Board of Visitors will honor awardees on May 2.
Questions? Contact Traci Kendall, Government and Community Relations.
Annual Summit for Programs, Events, and Camps Serving Minors: March 7
Departments hosting a program, event, or camp (PEC) serving minors are invited to attend the annual PEC Summit this Thursday, March 7, at 10 a.m. Subject matter experts, service providers, and policy stakeholders across Mason will be available to answer questions regarding PECs.
Connect to the meeting via Teams. Questions? Contact Buz Grover at 703-993-5784.
Mason Square: Plaza Grand Reopening and Upcoming Event Season
Mason Square will host a "ribbon-tying" ceremony for the refreshed and renovated plaza at Mason Square on Thursday, March 28, from 3–5 p.m. This outdoor community event will include live music, games, and light refreshments. Remarks will take place at 4 p.m. RSVP.
A special Faculty and Staff Open House will be hosted on the plaza on Monday, March 11, from 8:30–10 a.m. Connect with colleagues, tour the newly renovated plaza and its amenities, and learn about upcoming plaza events and programs. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day
Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day is Thursday, April 25. Faculty and staff may invite the youth in their life to campus to learn what it's like to work at Mason. All participants must complete the consent form prior to the event.
Activities are being planned for Fairfax, Mason Square, and SciTech. If you or your department are interested in leading an activity, reach out to the Faculty and Staff Engagement team at engagehr@gmu.edu.
Spring Parking Permits to be Prorated
If you have not purchased a parking permit yet, prorated pricing is available starting March 4 for the remainder of spring 2024 for these permit categories:
If you have questions about prorated permits, contact Parking Services at 703-993-2710 or parking@gmu.edu.
Dining Updates at Mason Square: Old Blue BBQ and Boba Tea
The Mason Square Café is thrilled to announce an exciting new pilot in its culinary journey with the introduction of a "shared kitchen" retail model. This innovative concept supports small businesses while offering greater culinary variety to the campus community.
Old Blue BBQ will operate within the premises of Mason Square Café, offering a variety of sandwiches and sides every other week, Monday–Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 25.
Additionally, boba tea is now available at Mason Square Café. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and other grab and go items are also still available.
Fellowship Fest: March 13–15
Join the Office of Fellowships for Fellowship Fest from March 13–15 to hear about external awards that provide students study abroad, research, internships, or fully funded graduate school opportunities. Register on Mason 360 for the events that interest you. Reach out to the Office of Fellowships for a personalized, tailored appointment to review opportunities specific to your needs. View the complete list of events.
Events include:
- Faculty and Staff Information Session and Breakfast
- General Fellowships Information Session
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Alumni Panel
- STEM Day sessions
- And more
Training and Professional Development
Cultivate Faculty and Staff Success through Performance Engagement
Join Human Resources for a dynamic session: Cultivate Faculty and Staff Success through Performance Engagement. This session will explore ways to create a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent through performance engagement. It will also touch on employee engagement, performance mindset, and practical insights on providing effective feedback and coaching to bolster faculty and staff success.
Cultivate Faculty and Staff Success through Performance Engagement
Friday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to noon
Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 1204
For questions or assistance with registration, email Andrew Lane.
Supervising a Hybrid Workforce: A Guide for Mason Faculty and Staff
Register for an upcoming session of Supervising a Hybrid Workforce on Monday, March 11 (in-person), or Thursday, March 14 (virtual). Each session is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This workshop equips participants with the knowledge and skills essential for thriving in a modern, flexible work environment. Supervisors will discuss the benefits of flexible work, develop essential knowledge and skills for engaging a hybrid workforce, and learn how to effectively manage employee performance, development, and engagement in a hybrid environment. Participants will be provided with actionable strategies to leverage the opportunities presented by hybrid work.
ARIE National Conference
Mason will host the Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) National Conference from March 18–19 on the Fairfax Campus. Join a transformative experience where scholars, researchers, and practitioners from many sectors come together to build and strengthen inclusive communities around research, innovation, and educational excellence.
Registration is free for Mason students, faculty, and staff, and the deadline is Friday, March 8.
Flexible Work Sessions
Join the Faculty and Staff Engagement Team for an upcoming session on flexible work. This session is intended to provide an introductory overview of flexible work at Mason. Participants will discover the variety of flexible work options, recognize the benefits of flexible work, identify best practices for engaging remote or hybrid teams/employees, and examine flexible work required forms and processes.
Flexible Work Sessions
Monday, March 11, or Thursday, March 14
9:30–10:30 a.m.
Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 2001 and Virtual
View upcoming sessions and register.
Mental Health First Aid
Complete Mental Health First Aid training to learn how to help someone suffering from a mental health crisis, increase your mental health literacy, and dismantle the stigma associated with mental health and substance use challenges. Register for the training at Mason on April 23–24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Writing Center Workshop: Writing Clearly
In this workshop, writers learn to identify features of writing that make texts murky and difficult to understand. Learn and practice five strategies for revising murky writing to make it clearer.
Writing Clearly
Wednesday, March 13, 4:30–5:45 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Visit the website for more workshop dates, times, and registration. Contact the Writing Center with questions.
Resources for You
Deadline Extended for the Fairfax/SciTech Shuttle Survey
Parking and Transportation, in partnership with the Shuttle Advisory Committee, invites faculty, staff, and students to complete a short survey on the Fairfax/SciTech Shuttle. We are interested in hearing from those who currently use the shuttle, as well as those who live in Prince William County or points further west and do not currently use the shuttle.
The survey should take less than five minutes to complete. No changes to the route are currently in development. The survey is open through April 2024. Complete the survey.
The Lavinia Scott Papers Collection Opening
Mason’s Special Collections Research Center presents the Lavinia Scott Papers Collection Opening on Wednesday, March 13, from 4–6 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Fenwick Library, Main Reading Room/2001. The Lavinia Scott papers consist of materials created and collected by missionary educator Lavinia Scott, circa 1900 to 1997. This includes materials created by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the United Church Board for World Ministries, the United Church of Christ, and South Africa’s Inanda Seminary. The collection covers Scott’s personal and professional life working and living as a missionary educator in South Africa.
Having a Healthy Lunch Just Got Easier
Indulge in a fresh, sustainable, and healthy eating revolution with Wellfound Foods. Elevate your on-the-go dining experience at our newest locations on the Fairfax Campus: the first floors of the Johnson Center and Merten Hall. With seasonal and collaborative menus, Wellfound Foods isn't just a vending option—it's a movement dedicated to bringing better, healthier, and more accessible meals to your busy lifestyle. View the menu.
Bioengineering Department is offering BioE Buzz Summer Camp
Mason's Department of Bioengineering is launching a four-day experiential summer camp, BioE Buzz, for rising high school juniors and seniors from June 17–21 (no camp on June 19 for Juneteenth). The deadline to apply is March 19. Visit the website for more details and to apply. Contact bioebuzz@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at Mason
Visiting Filmmakers Series: Nanny with Nikyatu Jusu
Wednesday, March 13, from 5–7:45 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center Cinema
The Visiting Filmmakers Series is pleased to welcome award-winning filmmaker and Film at Mason Professor Nikyatu Jusu to campus for a free public screening of her psychological horror film, Nanny, followed by a post-screening discussion with Mason film student James Bah, president of the Black Filmmakers Association. A psychological horror film, Nanny tells the story of immigrant nanny Aisha (Anna Diop) who is forced to confront a concealed truth that threatens to shatter her precarious American Dream while caring for the child of a New York City upper east side family. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Artist-in-Residence: PHILADANCO!
Friday, March 15, at 8 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
The Philadelphia Dance Company, known as PHILADANCO!, is widely recognized for its artistic integrity, superbly trained dancers, and electrifying performances. Witness one of America’s top dance companies share stories through movement. “If there’s fun to be had, PHILADANCO! will have it. But if there’s deeper purpose, these performers will clarify it, underscore it, and make you pay attention” (Dance Magazine).
Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly
Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Virginia Opera’s season concludes with one of opera’s most beloved works, Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, a haunting score filled with unforgettable music of unparalleled beauty that will stay with you long after you’ve left the theater. This ever-popular opera will feature an all-female, Asian creative team, bringing a new lens to this tragic tale. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Eileen Ivers: Raw Roots Tour
Sunday, March 17, at 4 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Grammy award-winning Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers continues to push and transcend the boundaries of folk music with performances that are playful, passionate, and a foot-stomping good time. You won’t want to miss “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” (New York Times), performing a fresh mix of Celtic classics and music that celebrates the Celtic roots of Americana music.
Alma Ensemble: Celebration of Dance
Tuesday, March 19, at 1:30 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Named after the often-overlooked composer Alma Mahler, Alma Ensemble champions women in music through thoughtful female-centric chamber music concerts that are enriched with multimedia, giving insight into the lives of these female composers and musicians. In Celebration of Dance, flutist Sarah Wardle Jones, clarinetist Michelle Smith Johnson, and pianist Erica Sipes perform a program inspired by the art of dance.
Visual Voices with Late Comeback Press
Mason School of Art and Mason Exhibitions
Thursday, March 21, at 4:45 p.m.
Virtual event via Zoom
Visual Voices is a lecture series hosted by Mason Exhibitions and the School of Art. Late Comeback Press is a Northern Virginia micropress run by Rachna Soun and Caroline Kim, specializing in avant-garde zines. Communication and existentialism are the center of their art, flourishing in the space before choices are made, when the possibilities can seem paralyzingly endless or distinctively finite. RSVP is required to receive the Zoom link.
Visiting Filmmakers Series: KENYATTA: DO NOT WAIT YOUR TURN with director/editor Timothy Harris
Film at Mason
Thursday, March 21 at 5 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center Cinema
Join the Visiting Filmmakers Series for a free screening of the new film, Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn, followed by a live Q&A with the film's director and editor, Timothy Harris. Executive produced by Al Roker, this film is an inspiring love story about Malcolm Kenyatta, a self-described "poor, gay, Black man from North Philly," on his historic run for the United States Senate. But this race is about more than taking on the political competition. It's about taking on an entire system.
Mason School of Theater: Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine’s
March 21–24, multiple performances
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The St. Catherine's drama club is struggling to put up its first school play—Sophocles' Antigone. As if staging this tragedy in an all-girls’ Catholic school isn’t challenging enough, the cast’s beloved director ends up betraying them in an unforgivable way. And it’s almost opening night! The actors must figure out the right course of action, all while rehearsing the classic play about impossibly difficult choices. What is the right thing to do? And must the show go on?
Mason School of Dance Gala Concert
Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The Gala Concert is Mason Dance Company’s crowning season event, featuring a program of works by contemporary professional choreographers.
Trinity Irish Dance Company
Sunday, March 24, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The internationally praised Trinity Irish Dance Company fuses traditional Irish step dance with contemporary movement for a high octane, syncopated experience that is “impossibly complex” (New York Times). With 16 dancers and a live musical ensemble, the company performs a captivating program that blends sheer percussive power with aerial grace.