Lester Arnold, George Mason University Vice President of Human Resources & Payroll Services, is joining the RAND Corporation as Vice President of Human Resources. His last day at Mason will be January 17.
Shernita Parker, Assistant Vice President of HR Strategy & Talent Management, will serve as interim Vice President while a national search is conducted.
Arnold joined Mason in 2019 and was instrumental in improving recruitment and retention practices and implementing new employee support measures, including the establishment of the Ombuds Office. “His leadership through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic helped guide our workforce’s transition to telework, as well as our return to the new normal,” said Deb Dickenson, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration. “Lester’s professionalism and collegiality have made Mason a better place and will be missed.”