Faculty and Staff News

Global Education Office

Anne Osterman named Dean of the University Libraries

P Shepherd — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:49:59 +0000

Anne Osterman named Dean of the University Libraries P Shepherd Wed, 12/06/2023 - 08:49

In This Story

Kenneth Walsh, PhD

Interim Provost Ken Walsh today announced that after a comprehensive review process led by a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and administrators from both the University Libraries and across Mason, Anne Osterman has been appointed to a five-year term as dean of the University Libraries and university librarian.

“I look forward to working in close collaboration with Dean Osterman as she continues her leadership of the University Libraries and serves as a senior leader at our university,” Walsh said.

Dean Anne Osterman

Dean Osterman was appointed as interim dean of the University Libraries and university librarian on December 1, 2022. During her time in this role, the University Libraries have grown the Open Access publishing options for Mason authors to include three additional major publishers, started a new comprehensive program of outreach about the Libraries’ collections, and hosted a university-wide series of sessions about generative artificial intelligence.

Dean Osterman joined Mason in 2012 as associate director of the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) and was subsequently appointed as deputy director (2013) and director (2015). VIVA is a statewide program that serves as the consortium of 71 nonprofit public and private academic libraries in the Commonwealth. With an annual budget of $21M, VIVA provides a shared core collection of library resources, a statewide resource sharing program among the member libraries, and an open and affordable course content program that lowers the costs of higher education for Virginia students.

Dean Osterman completed a master’s degree in library science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in statistics at American University, and a bachelor’s degree with a triple major in English, classical civilization, and religion at Florida State University. She has published widely on the topics of collection management and collaborative library services, including the monograph Electronic Resource Management: Practical Perspectives in a New Technical Services Model.

Topics

Libraries

Goodbye 'Mason Shuffle': Transforming the student journey at Mason

P Shepherd — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 21:38:18 +0000

Goodbye 'Mason Shuffle': Transforming the student journey at Mason P Shepherd Wed, 11/08/2023 - 16:38

In This Story

David Burge, MSE

Kenneth Walsh, PhD

George Mason University is embarking on an endeavor to optimize every aspect of the student journey, from recruitment and admissions to advising and alumni engagement. The student lifecycle transformation is a university-wide initiative, aligned with Mason's strategic direction. The overarching aim is to deliver a unique and distinctive student experience that fosters lifelong engagement.

"We began this transformation with one goal in mind: to make the entire student journey smoother, more personalized, and responsive, from the moment students first consider Mason to the day they graduate and beyond,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management David Burge.

The student lifecycle transformation embraces various projects, with Salesforce—a powerful Customer Relationship Management platform—as its core. Salesforce serves as the key tool driving the shift in Mason's approach to student engagement, keeping track of the entire lifecycle and interactions that occur during a student’s time at Mason, ensuring that each student receives the personalized support they need.

Mason will begin by adopting two important tools within Salesforce: Student Success and Recruitment and Admissions. The implementation of Student Success will allow Mason to identify and address each student’s unique needs, providing tailored support for their academic goals. Additionally, Recruitment and Admissions will enhance efficiency and responsiveness to prospective students.

“The adoption of Salesforce,” according to Interim Provost Kenneth Walsh, “will empower us to be more responsive and efficient in our interactions with both prospective and current students. We aren’t just investing in technology; we’re investing in the overall Mason experience.”

With Salesforce, Mason can centralize its efforts to foster collaboration and teamwork among offices that directly support students. The platform will unite data sources to create a holistic view of each student, offering a seamless experience and reducing the inefficiencies associated with the “Mason Shuffle,” a term familiar to students who have spent time seeking answers scattered across different offices and systems.

“As a staff member, I've witnessed the administrative hurdles and time wasted attempting to synchronize data between multiple systems. We're here to support our students, and a consolidated platform empowers us to do so more effectively, ensuring their needs are met,” said Kevin Brown, Salesforce administrator in the Costello College of Business.

Undergraduate and graduate students alike will benefit from this transformation. As an example, Salesforce will enable the university to offer personalized communication and support, catering to individual student needs. A user-friendly portal will provide students with easy access to essential information and services, and integrated tools like appointment scheduling and real-time communication will simplify their engagement with advisors and faculty.

By streamlining the admissions process, prospective students will find applying to Mason more accessible and transparent. Support services—including academic advising, counseling, and career support—will see substantial improvements, offering students comprehensive assistance throughout their academic journey. Technology integration will provide easier access to student information, learning resources, and administrative services.

But the transformation is not only about improving the student experience; it's also about streamlining operations and saving valuable resources. By consolidating various processes and systems into one unified system, Mason aims to optimize efficiency and allocate resources more effectively.

As the student lifecycle transformation takes shape, it underscores the university's dedication to empowering its students every step of the way. Mason students can look forward to a future where their journey is characterized by clarity, consistency, and unwavering support, making their university experience truly “distinctive and inclusive.”

“We want to create an environment where our students feel empowered and supported throughout their entire journey at Mason,” said Burge. “This transformation represents a commitment to providing an exceptional experience that transcends the traditional model of higher education.”

________

Questions? Check out the Salesforce FAQs, complete the Salesforce Stakeholder Engagement Form, or contact the Salesforce Project Management Office at salesfor@gmu.edu.

As a Salesforce-first institution, we are dedicated to ensuring that Salesforce aligns with the technological needs of our university. Units interested in acquiring technology solutions should consider how Salesforce can support business needs. Contact the Salesforce Project Management Office for a collaborative discussion tailored to your unit’s requirements.

Topics

Student Lifecycle Transformation

Salesforce

Patriot Connect

Mason to Launch Space Utilization Study This Semester

P Shepherd — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:52:34 +0000

Mason to Launch Space Utilization Study This Semester P Shepherd Tue, 09/05/2023 - 08:52

This fall, George Mason University will launch a pilot project to study utilization of space on our campuses. Building on the work of the Master Plan and in alignment with Mason’s 2023 Strategic Direction, the space utilization project will gather anonymous information about on-campus activity to help the university make informed decisions about how to orient our space around actual utilization.

“This study will help leadership make data-driven decisions on how to best serve the needs of the Mason community—our students, faculty, and staff,” said Provost Mark Ginsberg. “This information will allow us to make changes to support today’s campus, as well as to plan for the long-term needs of a growing, dynamic university.”

Led by the Office of Capital Strategy and Planning in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and Information Technology Services, the pilot will start with parts of eight buildings—Exploratory Hall, Horizon Hall, Fenwick Library, Engineering Building, Research Hall, Johnson Center, Van Metre Hall, and Discovery Hall—before moving through other spaces over the next three years. The project will use existing Wi-Fi access points and anonymous data to identify how often spaces are used and by how many people.

Mason’s project partner, Lambent, provides innovative technology that distinguishes between multiple people and an individual using numerous devices, without gathering any personal identifying information or details of their usage. Mason has selected Lambent due to their track record of privacy, as demonstrated in their recent work with William & Mary. Only aggregate and anonymous information regarding occupancy will be stored and made available for analysis and planning, making it impossible to link this anonymized data to an individual device.

Data gathered from the project will ultimately help inform Mason decision making to improve current and long-term resource planning and space utilization. Potential applications include matching student support resources with actual student activity, improved classroom and lab scheduling, and optimizing building systems and services, among other assignments of university resources.

“Mason has always been a tremendous steward of its resources,” said Deb Dickenson, executive vice president for finance and administration. “At a time when commonwealth capital investments are constrained, this effort will help Mason make the best use of every resource, which will help us serve our community better, as well as meeting our long-term operational, financial, and sustainability goals.”

For more information about the space utilization project, please visit Capital Strategy and Planning.

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Chris DiTeresi Named Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Assurance

P Shepherd — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 20:37:09 +0000

Chris DiTeresi Named Associate Vice President for Research Integrity and Assurance P Shepherd Wed, 08/30/2023 - 16:37

Chris DiTeresi is ecstatic to take on his new role as associate vice president for research integrity and assurance at George Mason University, where he provides leadership and strategic direction for the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) and its six major compliance programs, including human participants protection, animal care and use, research integrity and responsible conduct of research, secure research, export control and sanctions, and conflict of interest.

Chris DiTeresi

DiTeresi’s vision for his new position is clear: “cultivate the organizational readiness and relationships required to cope effectively with uncertainty and respond flexibly to new challenges.” He plans to achieve this through strengthening and deepening communication between the ORIA teams responsible for different compliance areas and those whose research relies on their expertise and support.

“The more ORIA knows about the research faculty and units are not only actively conducting, but also pursuing and contemplating, the better able we will be to anticipate research compliance needs and ensure that resources and procedures are well aligned with actual research agendas,” he said.

Feeling empowered, DeTeresi is eager to utilize all the resources in his new position to continue developing and implementing a university strategy for fostering a culture of integrity in research and scholarship while supporting an ethical and responsible conduct of research.

DiTeresi finds inspiration in the variety and richness of research, scholarship, and creative activities at Mason and is looking forward to continuing to collaborate with a network of colleagues and an already outstanding ORIA team. He is proud to join and support the full spectrum of values, commitments, and passions of Mason’s researchers.

“I am excited and grateful that it is now my job to ensure the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance continues to meet the diverse and expanding compliance needs of Mason’s remarkable research enterprise,” he said.

Prior to joining ORIA, DiTeresi served as a faculty member in the College of Humanities and Social Science’s philosophy department, where he continues to teach and holds a secondary appointment as University Affiliate Faculty.

His path from philosophy to research integrity and assurance became clear as he and his then-colleagues assessed the research environment at Mason and created a framework and strategy for fostering a strong culture of ethical and responsible research.

“To me, research integrity and assurance is philosophy of science in action, philosophy going where it is needed and making a difference,” he said. “What interests me about this position is that I get to pursue—in an excitingly engaged, complexly situated, organizationally anchored form—the same intellectual work that has been my passion for decades.”

Based on DiTeresi’s experience, he believes most people understand that integrity is essential to the research enterprise. Without grounds for trust and confidence in the conduct of other researchers, cumulative growth of knowledge would be impossible. With that said, he finds it helpful to emphasize that ethical and responsible research is impossible without the scaffolding and support of a research institution.

“One of the great privileges of conducting research at an R1 institution is that Mason is committed to ensuring that researchers receive the support they need to conduct their research responsibly,” he said. “Excellence and integrity in research are institutional achievements that depend upon researchers partnering effectively with ORIA staff and other research administrators.”

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Darren Troxler Named Chief Transfer Officer

P Shepherd — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:03:35 +0000

Darren Troxler Named Chief Transfer Officer P Shepherd Fri, 08/25/2023 - 15:03

Darren Troxler has joined the Office of the Provost as the Executive Director of External Transfer Articulation and Chief Transfer Officer. He previously served as the Associate Dean of Admissions and Strategic Initiatives, Assistant Dean of Admissions, and Director of Admissions Operations in the Division of Enrollment Management supporting the university’s transfer enrollment. In his new role within Academic Affairs, Troxler will continue to build relationships with community colleges both in Virginia and in surrounding states. He will also work with academic units to build potential partnerships with other four-year institutions in Virginia. As Chief Transfer Officer, Troxler will continue to represent the university to the State Committee on Transfer in developing new transfer partnerships and strengthening institutional transfer policy.

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Admissions and Financial Aid

Alethia Shipman named director of financial aid

Lauren Reuscher — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:40:48 +0000

Alethia Shipman named director of financial aid Lauren Reuscher Fri, 07/14/2023 - 13:40

In This Story

David Burge, MSE

Alethia Shipman, director of Student Financial Aid. Photo provided

Alethia Shipman was recently appointed as director of student financial aid at George Mason University. Shipman, who has been with Mason for more than a year serving as associate director of financial aid, assumes the position following the retirement of Sandy Tarbox.

“Alethia assumes this new role with a breadth of financial aid experience across a number of institutional types,” said David Burge, vice president for enrollment management. “She’s worked as a financial aid advisor, a certifying official, an analyst, and as an associate director at two different institutions. Words that consistently come up to describe her are thorough, approachable, knowledgeable, and full of positive energy.”

Previous roles provided Shipman with hands-on experiences throughout multiple layers of financial aid and afforded her the opportunity to use technical, analytical, and customer service skills in a leadership capacity, enhancing her approach to managing staff from diverse backgrounds. She plans to use her knowledge, passion, and expertise to make a difference in students’ lives.

“My favorite part of working with students is knowing that I played a part in reaching their goals by assisting them throughout their educational journey through counseling, mentoring, or educating them along the way,” Shipman said.

Those skills will undoubtedly assist the entire Office of Student Financial Aid as big changes are coming. In 2020, Congress passed legislation to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application while also adjusting the formula to determine who will qualify for aid and how much they will receive. As FAFSA alters focus from cash flow to a slightly greater emphasis on wealth, this shift translates into a fairer treatment across the board but could mean decreases in aid eligibility for middle- and high-income families.

Since these developments could result in fear or reluctance for applicants, Shipman knows that communication is key and plans to visit local high schools as well as hold workshops and open forums for students and families to help navigate the FAFSA changes.

“Because the changes can be overwhelming, it will be important to provide FAFSA workshops to assist with completing the application,” she said. “Having open forums for students and families to have all of their questions answered will have a positive impact.”

Beyond FAFSA, Shipman knows that repaying student loans is just as much of a priority for recent graduates as securing a job. She also knows that financial literacy education—understanding financial concepts such as interest rates, student loans, credit scores, budgeting, and how personal finances work—is the best way to help new and current students understand how to wisely manage their personal resources, especially when it comes to spending on their education.

“It is important to provide financial literacy resources to students,” she said, emphasizing the need to provide financial aid counseling to help students understand the options available to them.

Having a college degree increases job opportunities and career stability, and Shipman knows that financial aid plays a strong role in allowing students that opportunity. Moving forward in her new role, Shipman will no doubt have a big impact on the student population by providing outstanding student financial aid service and choice.

Topics

Financial Aid

Elli Ambros named Mason’s 2023 Undergraduate Academic Advisor of the Year

Colleen Rich — Mon, 15 May 2023 14:50:42 +0000

Elli Ambros named Mason’s 2023 Undergraduate Academic Advisor of the Year Colleen Rich Mon, 05/15/2023 - 10:50

Elli Ambros from the George Mason University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences was recently named the V. Ann Lewis Academic Advisor of the Year in recognition of her outstanding care and commitment to supporting undergraduates’ academic achievement.

Elli Ambros is Academic Advisor of the Year. Photo provided

Nearly 500 students nominated more than 100 academic advisors from across the university for the award.

“I am truly honored, grateful, and humbled to receive this award and recognition. Academic advising and working with students in a higher education setting has always been a passion of mine,” Ambros said. “Receiving numerous quality nominations is affirmation my contributions and efforts have made a positive impact.”

Ambros finds that building meaningful relationships with students and helping them achieve their academic goals is the most rewarding part of her advising role.

“I feel I have strong connections and rapport with most students by creating and providing a nonjudgmental, unbiased, and welcoming environment. After establishing a symbiotic and inclusive partnership, I actively listen to the student’s ideas, goals and concerns, and advise them accordingly,” she said. “Through collaborative efforts, we interpret and navigate Mason’s systems, curriculums, and resources. Assisting students to recognize their own strengths, potential, and resilience is the ultimate satisfaction.”

The students who work with Ambros value the connection and see her as an integral part of their academic success.

“Elli’s guidance and support have been invaluable to me throughout my academic journey,” said criminology, law and society major Max Vaughn, one of the students who nominated Ambros. “She has a fantastic ability to listen and understand each student’s unique situation and she always goes beyond to provide personalized advice and encouragement. She is an excellent academic advisor, mentor, and friend who genuinely cares about her students’ success.”

The top 10 Mason undergraduate academic advisors are also recognized from the same pool of student nominations for Academic Advisor of the Year:

Martin Abruzzo, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Jada Crocker, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Julio Diaz, College of Public Health
Mary Getsey Bernier, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Ibrahim Kargbo, College of Public Health
Kurt Lazaroff, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Deborah Polayes, College of Science
Carson Tatton, School of Business
Kristin Tyburczy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Vernell Wilks, College of Engineering and Computing

In addition, Shabnam Rezai of the School of Business received the Patriot Inspiration Award. This award recognizes a member of the Mason academic advising community who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to, understanding of, and application of effective diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in their academic advising of students.

Claudia Borke of the College of Computing and Engineering received the Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes a member of the Mason academic advising community who demonstrates strong advocacy for students within an academic unit or the university. This advisor is committed to a “student-first” perspective in academic advising practice by going above and beyond to advocate for students, or students in a particular population.

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Academic Advising

Rachel Yoho receives Fulbright Specialist Award

Colleen Rich — Wed, 10 May 2023 14:35:46 +0000

Rachel Yoho receives Fulbright Specialist Award Colleen Rich Wed, 05/10/2023 - 10:35

Rachel Yoho, the anti-racist and inclusive teaching specialist in George Mason University’s Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, received a Fulbright Specialist Program award to work with individuals at the University of Galway in Ireland. Yoho, the 25th person at Mason to receive a Fulbright Specialist award, will lay the groundwork on a project surrounding institutional change.

Rachel Yoho. Photo provided

“There are relatively few people who receive this award so it’s such an honor to be a recipient,” said Yoho. “Going to Ireland includes a great immersive cultural component to the project with lots of opportunities to experience and see new things. I’m excited to develop the personal connections, which are an important part of the Fulbright program.”

The Fulbright Specialist Program is a part of the larger Fulbright Program, with the goal for these accomplished people to share their knowledge as part of a larger cultural exchange, to increase global relationships, entrepreneurial opportunity, and make the world a better place. Fulbright Specialist Scholars are matched with an institution in one of 150 countries overseas, partnering with hosts to provide education, support, and thought leadership according to their priorities and goals.

“This project is particularly fruitful because it merges her disciplinary scholarship in public health with her pedagogical work with the Stearns Center,” said Shelley Reid, executive director of engaged teaching in the Stearns Center. “Since the Stearns Center is invested in supporting inclusive excellence among Mason's internationalized faculty and students, we're looking forward to learning from Rachel how efforts to support inclusive teaching are happening in another cultural context.”

Yoho was specifically chosen by the University of Galway to visit based on her expertise in environmental health and social justice. The host institution will facilitate her Fulbright talk, set up individual meetings with faculty and staff, and build ongoing collaborations.

Yoho is particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity to create connections and potential ongoing collaborations around research, instructional materials, and faculty support. “Both Mason and Galway come from a place of shared values and institutional challenges, and are invested in improving student learning and outcomes,” she said. “We hope to create collaborations around environmental health and approaches to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

After spending two weeks in Ireland, Yoho will return to Mason at the end of May and begin cross-country collaboration on the project. She will have ongoing follow-up reports on the project with the Fulbright committee over the coming months.

Topics

Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Fulbright Program

College of Health and Human Services

Melissa J. Perry named dean of George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services

Melanie Balog — Wed, 18 May 2022 20:16:10 +0000

Melissa J. Perry named dean of George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services Melanie Balog Wed, 05/18/2022 - 16:16

Melissa J. Perry. Photo by Tani Marku

Melissa J. Perry, ScD, MHS has been named the new dean of the College of Health and Human Services at George Mason University. She will join Mason on August 1 after completing an assignment in Albania as a Fellow in the Fulbright International Education Program for Global Scholars.

Perry comes to Mason from George Washington University where she has served as a Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the Milken School of Public Health since 2011. She previously served as the Interim Associate Dean for Research at the Milken School of Public Health, and also has faculty appointments in the Department of Epidemiology, as well as in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Perry to the leadership of our university. She is internationally respected for her work as an educator, researcher and administrator,” said Provost Mark R. Ginsberg. “Her research has been well-funded by both federal agencies and foundations, she has published more than 150 manuscripts, technical reports, book chapters, commentaries and book reviews, and is a frequent speaker at professional conferences. I look forward to her leading our College of Health and Human Services during its next era.”

Her research includes investigation into how climate change impacts the properties of pesticides and other chemicals, and the mutagenic and hormonal effects of pesticide exposure on farming communities, agricultural workers, and the general public. She has also developed engineering and behavioral interventions to address risks to workers at meat packing plants, construction sites, and agricultural operations. Her laboratory at the Milken Institute School of Public Health focuses on reproductive epidemiology and hormone disruptors. In the classroom, she teaches students how to research the connections between climate change and health.

"This is a fantastic opportunity and I am delighted to join George Mason University,” Perry said. “The College of Health and Human Services is making a real impact in health promotion and disease prevention, and I am looking forward to leading the College to the next level of national and international accomplishments and prominence.”

Prior to joining the faculty and leadership at George Washington University, she was a member of the faculty at the Harvard School of Public Health (1999 – 2011) as well as the Medical College of Wisconsin (1995 – 1999). Perry earned her MHS and ScD degrees from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, as well as a BA from the University of Vermont where she was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa organization. She is currently a candidate for an MBA degree at the George Washington University.

She is Past President and a current Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology, Chair of the Review Committee of the Health Effects Institute, Co-Chair of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Committee on Emerging Science, and recently completed a term as the Chair of the US Centers for Disease Control Board of Scientific Counselors for the Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Topics

Public Health