Schar Faculty

David Brunori is a nationally known expert in state and local public finance and tax policy. He has been a leader in the state and local tax field for more than 30 years as a lawyer, writer, and teacher. He was elected a fellow at the National Academy of Public Administration and is a fellow at the American College of Tax Counsel. He currently serves as Senior Fellow at the D.C. Policy Center.

Research Assistant Professor, Schar School of Policy and Government

With thousands of people and countless opportunities, there’s a lot to take in at Virginia’s largest public research university. To help George Mason University students find community and boost their on-campus experience, Housing and Residence Life created Learning Communities (LC), where students with common interests live and learn together during the academic year.

Democracy Lab is one of the newest LCs. More than 60 freshmen from the Schar School of Policy and Government are enrolled for its inaugural year.

Claudia Escobar is a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Due to threats and intimidation, the Guatemalan lawyer and former magistrate of the Court of Appeals relocated to the United States, where she works as the executive director of Be Just, an organization that promotes the rule of law by strengthening the institutions of the justice sector, supports anti-corruption initiatives, and respect for human rights.

Areas of Research: African American Political Behavior, Political Parties, Social Policy, The Presidency, U.S. Politics & Legal Studies, Voting Rights Policy

A seasoned executive and international consultant with more than 25 years of advocacy, business, and government relations experience, David Ramadan served two terms in the Virginia House of Delegates (2012-16). His finesse for cultivating relationships and working across the aisle has enabled him to advise political candidates for president, governor, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House. 

Schar School of Policy and Government Visiting Professor, William (Bill) Bolling/

Ronald “Ron” Marks III is a 38-year veteran of the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Research Interests: Civil Engineering, Development and Delivery, Federalism/State and Local Government, Fiscal Policy and Budgeting, Infrastructure Finance, Public-Private Partnerships, Regional Development, Transportation Policy, Urban Policy

Gordon teaches graduate-level courses on counterinsurgency and military operations and strategy in the Schar School of Policy and Government's international security master’s program.