Events and campus updates curated for university faculty and staff.
Around Mason keeps you informed about the latest updates, opportunities around the campuses (and beyond), and resources for you. Bookmark this page, which is updated at the end of each week.
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Photo of the Week: A cherry atmosphere. This week, the blooming Yoshino cherry grove at Mason Pond mirrored the spectacular show at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. The cherry trees are included in the George Mason University Arboretum, which was established in 2015 and earned ArbNet Level II accreditation in 2021. Watch a video about the cherry trees.
2026 Faculty and Staff Experience Survey
The 2026 Faculty and Staff Experience Survey will be open from April 1–21. Your feedback shapes real change. Results from the last survey informed expanded well-being and recognition programs and guided the university's investments in professional development and performance culture. This survey is how we keep building on that work.
A few things to know:
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Confidential. George Mason partners with Gallup to administer the survey — your responses are never tied back to you individually.
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Quick. The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.
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Easy access. Gallup will send a unique link to your George Mason email when the survey opens. On-campus computer labs are also available for those who prefer to complete it in person—dates, times, and locations are listed in this HR News update.
For more information, visit the Faculty and Staff Experience Survey website or email engagehr@gmu.edu.
Campus Operations
Activities Building Grand Opening on April 16
Join the Grand Opening of the Activities Building on Thursday, April 16, from 3–7 p.m. as we celebrate George Mason’s newest space for student connection, creativity, and engagement. Featuring an official ribbon cutting by President Gregory Washington, outdoor games and activities, free food, a photo booth, esports and tabletop gaming, live performances from Green Machine Ensembles and Registered Student Organizations, and guided tours of the new building. Register here.
Purchasing branded promo items?
To help with your branded promo needs, George Mason has officially licensed vendors who have been authorized to produce merchandise bearing the university's trademarks, including all graphic and verbiage-based references to the university. Using officially licensed vendors is a requirement per University Policy 1130.
Trademark Licensing is a unit of the Office of University Branding. View the list of Approved Licensed Vendors. Contact David Atkins, executive director of brand development and licensing, with questions.
Professional Development and Training
Making Meetings Matter
As managers and supervisors, how do we ensure meetings are an effective use of time and the information shared is valuable for our staff and ourselves? Join the University Life Supervision Collective on Thursday, April 9, at 2 p.m. for an interactive virtual session to explore answering this question through strategies that increase engagement and effectiveness in the meetings you facilitate. Resources will be provided for participants to continue the conversation with their teams following the session. Learn more and register.
AI in the Workplace, hosted by Staff Senate
Join the Staff Senate for a workshop to discuss artificial intelligence in the workplace, featuring guest speaker Amarda Shehu, vice president and chief AI officer. The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open to all non-student wage and classified staff. Registration required for either in-person attendance at Fairfax in Merten Hall, Room 1201, or via Zoom.
Partners in Progress: Professional development co-working cohort
Are you working on a certificate program or other asynchronous course for professional development? Join Partners in Progress, a peer cohort designed to help you stay motivated and support you while you work toward completing your certificate. Attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, April 8, from 2-2:30 p.m., or Monday, April 20, from 11-11:30 a.m.
Monthly co-working sessions will start in June. Participants will share their learning objective for the co-working session and then work independently for about 50 minutes. In the last five minutes, participants will share what they achieved. For more information, email Kerry Hentges with University Life. RSVP for an info session.
Sign up for Mason 101
Mason 101 is a free, two-hour, one-time information session designed for George Mason University faculty and staff to learn about the institution's history, structure, resources, and future of the institution. Register for an upcoming session:
- Friday, April 10 (in-person): 1-3 p.m.
- Friday, May 8 (via Zoom): 10 a.m. to noon
To register, go to masonleaps.gmu.edu and log in with your George Mason credentials. Search for “Mason 101," and available Mason 101 dates will appear. Click on the “Request” button next to your preferred training date. Contact Philip Stamper, Office of University Branding, with questions.
Summer funding for faculty: Writing Across the Curriculum
Writing Across the Curriculum is offering faculty an opportunity for early-summer funding. These funds will take the form of stipends (up to $4,000 per team; $1,000 per team member) to teams who design, develop, and lead a project that seeks to enhance the intentionality and sustainability of writing instruction across disciplines. Work on the project would run from May 25 to Aug. 9. Submit a proposal for an early-summer funding project before Monday, April 20.
Writing Across the Curriculum solicits proposals from all departments, programs, colleges, and schools at George Mason University, including full-time and/or part-time faculty. Learn more.
'The 3 I’s Effective Leadership' training
Leadership in higher education demands agility amid evolving student needs, complex systems, constrained resources, and rising expectations for innovation and accountability. Leaders must balance mission-driven impact with collaboration, trust, and results.
To equip leaders for this reality, Human Resources is offering "The 3 I’s Effective Leadership: Innovation. Influence. Integrity." This dynamic leadership development series delivers 50-minute sessions that combine practical frameworks, real-world application, reflection, and interactive exercises—providing tools leaders can immediately put into practice. Register in MasonLeaps.
Course Redesign Academy
The Course Redesign Academy, hosted by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, will be hybrid in June to support plans for new or redesigned courses next year. Accepted participants receive a stipend to support significant course development. Find more information and submit your application before Friday, April 10.
Thriving Together
Bike to Mason 2026
Did you know that commuting is George Mason’s second-largest source of emissions? To reduce commuting’s impact on the environment, commuting sustainably is key. Join Bike to Mason between April 21-23:
- Fairfax Campus: Tuesday, April 21, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Merten Lawn
- Mason Korea: Wednesday, April 22, time and location TBA
- Mason Square: Thursday, April 23, 3–7 p.m., Plaza
George Mason cyclists can drop by anytime during the event for food, resource information, giveaways, and more. RSVP and learn more.
Spring into Well-Being Vaccine Clinic
Join Employee Health and Well-Being for the annual Spring into Well-Being vaccine clinic on April 14, open to all George Mason employees and their family members ages 18 and older with insurance that allows pharmacy vaccination by Giant (e.g., Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, and others). This year's clinic offers a range of routine vaccines to help keep you, your family, and the community protected. Sign up for an appointment.
Money Smart Day
April is Financial Capability Month, and the Student Support and Advocacy Center will host Money Smart Day on April 14–15. Financial well-being is the ability to confidently understand and implement concepts including saving, investing, and managing debt, leading to an overall sense of well-being and self-trust.
Activities will take place virtually and in-person across the Fairfax Campus, Mason Square, and the Science and Technology Campus. Sessions topics include first-time home buying, salary negotiation, health insurance basics, investing, and estate planning. Learn more.
Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day
Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day will take place on Thursday, April 23. Activities are currently being planned and finalized for the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square. The schedule will be updated on the website. Sessions are focused on social interaction, career enhancement, guided learning, well-being, and more. Departments provide a sneak peek into their world at George Mason and provide an opportunity for Junior Patriots to engage in that world. To participate with the child(ren) in your life, complete the For questions, contact the Faculty and Staff Engagement team at engagehr@gmu.edu.
Earth Month
Earth Month is celebrated every April at George Mason. Join University Sustainability and Facilities and Campus Operations, along with many partners, for a month of fun, educational, and engaging activities and events.
Grow food on campus with the Greenhouse and Gardens, opt for reuse rather than single-use to support Zero Waste Mason, donate items at a Patriot Packout event, or apply for a grant from the Patriot Green Fund. Make a sustainable impact, celebrate success, and learn how you can get more involved. Get the details.
Pride Week
At George Mason, Pride Week is a two-week observance in late March/early April. This event serves as a time to celebrate Pride as a campus during the spring semester. The LGBTQ+ Resource Center has compiled a list of events. Visit the Pride Week webpage for a complete list of activities.
SciTech Townhomes offer space and affordability for faculty and staff
As the anchor for Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District, George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus is going through a major growth spurt. George Mason employees now have the option to live in the center of it all. George Mason is offering affordable, high-quality housing to faculty and staff at the SciTech Townhomes. Faculty and staff are eligible to rent spacious two- or three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom units with private garages. Read more.
Volunteer for Mason Day
The Student Involvement team invites faculty and staff to volunteer at Mason Day on Friday, April 24. This is a great opportunity to connect with the campus community and be part of one of George Mason's biggest events of the year. Mason Day features a carnival with rides, games, treats, food trucks, inflatables, novelties, and student performances. Sign up to volunteer by Friday, April 10.
George Mason partners with Air Premia for exclusive flight discount
For George Mason students and employees navigating the distance between Incheon and Washington, D.C., getting there just got a little easier. Mason Korea has partnered with Air Premia, a value-focused hybrid airline known for its comfortable seating and competitive pricing on long-haul routes, to offer George Mason students and employees an exclusive 15% discount on round-trip flights between Incheon (ICN) and Washington Dulles (IAD).
The promotion is available for booking through June 30, 2026, with travel valid through February 28, 2027. Additional promotions are expected to follow, with details to be announced. Learn more.
Mason Math Odyssey Enrichment Camp: Discount for faculty/staff
Mason Math Odyssey enrichment camp is a place for rising 6th to 9th graders who are curious about math to learn about beautiful mathematics concepts typically not taught in K-12 curriculum. Students will engage in fun and friendly team competitions that will help build mathematical maturity while honing problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. This camp is hosted by George Mason's Department of Mathematical Sciences.
George Mason faculty and staff are eligible for a 50% discount for their family members. Learn more and register. Two camps will be offered in summer 2026:
- Week of July 13-17, rising 6th and 7th graders
- Week of July 20-24, rising 8th and 9th graders
Clarendon FitFest
Clarendon FitFest 2026 is a community-centered wellness event designed to promote active lifestyles, holistic health, and meaningful connections between George Mason University, Pacers, Clarendon Alliance, and the greater Arlington community. Join on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mason Square Plaza (3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia).
The event will include wellness professionals and organizations that encourage physical activity, education, and accessible health resources in a vibrant, inclusive outdoor setting. A Pacers 5K run and 2-mile walk will start at 8 a.m. and is open to participants of all ages. Clarendon FitFest is free and open to the public. Register.
John Forgy, environmental graphic designer and sign program manager, Campus Planning, Facilities and Campus Operations
Paul Bazzano, Mason Recreation
Physicist Paul So boosts the momentum of visual artists
Event Highlights
Mason Dining to host celebrity chef Jet Tila on campus
Mason Dining will host “Wok This Way with Celebrity Chef Jet Tila” on Wednesday, April 29. This full-day campus event begins at 11:15 a.m. at Southside Dining Hall, featuring live, made-to-order dishes and a book signing. All Southside lunch swipes will be matched and donated to the Student Support and Advocacy Center.
Chef Tila will also host a cooking demonstration and Q&A from 1–2 p.m. at the Johnson Center. The day concludes at Ike’s, with a meet-and-greet and dining hall takeover. Entry requires a meal swipe or door price. RSVP via Mason 360.
Patriot Pitch Competition
The George Mason community is invited to the 2026 Patriot Pitch Competition, led by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Costello College of Business. This Shark Tank-style competition consists of teams led by students or recent alumni who will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges and answer questions about their business models. Join the event on Thursday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, The Hub ballroom. Stop by for as long as you are able.
Event attendees will cast their votes on their favorite businesses to determine the Patriots’ Choice Awards. $60k in total prizes will be awarded. Lunch will be provided. Registration required.
STAR-TIDES Capabilities Demonstration
The 19th annual STAR-TIDES Capabilities Demonstration is coming up on April 13-14 at Mason Square. Under the theme "Reimagining Resilience: Empowering Local Communities in a Time of Uncertain Federal Support," this year's focus is on how state and local actors can prepare, withstand, recover, and adapt in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters as federal funds are being cut or redirected.
STAR-TIDES is a global network of people and organizations that share knowledge to help build sustainable resilience and improve emergency responses. STAR-TIDES is coordinated with the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities at George Mason University. Attendance is free, with free food provided. RSVP.
MIX Handmade Marketplace
The Handmade Marketplace is back on Tuesday, April 21, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Horizon Hall atrium on the Fairfax Campus. Support the maker community and micro-businesses. The MIX contributes to the growing movement of custom creations and artisan goods while fostering the creativity, problem‑solving, and innovation demonstrated by the makers who participate.
Cheuse Lecture: Colm Tóibín
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Cheuse Center, join this year’s Cheuse Lecture with Irish writer Colm Tóibín, in conversation with German intellectual Malte Herwig. In "Stories of Sanctuary," Tóibín reflects on exile, identity, and what it means to seek and create refuge through literature. This event will take place on Thursday, April 23, from 7–9 p.m. at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, Virginia).
The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center cultivates a global community of writers, translators, and readers through a variety of programs and events.
Spring Commencement activities with the Alumni Association
Join the Alumni Association for Pancakes for Patriots on Tuesday, April 28, and a Grad Toast on Wednesday, April 29, to celebrate the class of 2026! Register for these festivities to honor their achievements and make lasting memories with family and friends. Contact alumni@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming performances and arts events at George Mason
Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Monday, April 13, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join Darden Purcell, the Jazz Voice Studio, and the DOWNBEAT award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble for an unforgettable evening featuring swinging jazz standards, Latin American songs, contemporary classics, and beloved hits from the Great American Songbook. Special guests include the Falls Church High School Jazzguars, directed by CJ Redden-Liotta, and George Mason alumni vocal supergroup BLOOM!
Freedom Connection's anti-human trafficking conference
The Freedom Connection Conference is an anti-human trafficking conference focused on understanding exploitation and survivorship, in-demand skills, and best practices for volunteering. Hosted by Rotaractors from George Mason University, the University of Virginia, and the Northern Virginia community, the conference will educate and empower attendees to understand human trafficking and develop trauma-informed skills to better support survivors. The conference will take place on Sunday, April 19, at Mason Square. This event is hosted by Freedom Connection Rotaract, a student organization at George Mason.
Access to Excellence Podcast: The future classroom: Teaching and learning in age of AI. Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development, joins President Gregory Washington to discuss the future of education in a rapidly changing world and why the irreplaceable human elements of teaching will define the profession's future even as technology transforms it.
Today @ Mason is George Mason's official university calendar. Whether looking for a specific event or browsing for something to do, it's all there.
Community Calendars
Human Resources News
Performance management update: A simpler path to recognition
Effective immediately, George Mason is discontinuing the Acknowledgment of Extraordinary Contribution form for classified staff performance evaluations, following guidance from the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). Supervisors can now assign an Outstanding overall performance rating without the extra form. Documentation is still required to show how exceptional performance advances unit or institutional goals. Learn more.
ITS Bits and Bytes
AI Toolkit from ITS
The AI Toolkit from Information Technology Services provides information on AI features and tools currently available in university-supported platforms, helping faculty, staff, and students enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and support teaching, learning, and administrative functions. Check out the toolkit.
Report phishing incidents
George Mason University community members who receive phishing emails should report them to phish@gmu.edu. Reporting phishing emails allows Information Technology Services (ITS) to issue alerts and notify recipients.
If you clicked on a link, replied, or downloaded attachments from an email you later realized was a phishing attempt, contact ITS Support by phone: 703-993-8870 or Live Chat for assistance. Information about reported phishing emails is available on the ITS website.
Policy and Compliance Updates
Hazing Prevention Policy and Reporting Obligations
George Mason University has adopted an updated Hazing Prevention policy in compliance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA). This policy builds on the work of Patriots Against Hazing and reinforces our commitment to a safe and respectful learning, living, and working environment for all members of the community. Non-confidential employees (i.e., employees who are not part of confidential offices, such as Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Support and Advocacy Center, and Student Health Services) are required to report hazing to the appropriate university authority. Read the policy.
Coming to a Student Near You
Student Employee Appreciation Party
Are you a student who currently works on campus? Celebrate Student Employee Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 15, at the Corner Pocket in The Hub from 1-3 p.m. for free play and free ice cream. This event is hosted by Student Centers and University Life.
Celebration of Student Scholarship and Impact
The OSCAR Celebration of Student Scholarship and Impact takes place this year on Tuesday, May 5, on the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. Any George Mason University undergraduate student who did a research or creative project is invited to register to present their poster. Registration is now open. All members of the George Mason community are invited to join in celebrating the students' accomplishments.
Student focus groups for built environment and health case competition
The Department of Global and Community Health is collecting student input for a new case competition, working with community partners to address real-world public health challenges focused on the intersection of the built environment, physical activity, recreation, and urban planning.
Students are invited to participate in focus groups on Tuesday, April 7, at 2 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in Peterson Hall, Room 5101, or online via Zoom. RSVP for in-person or Zoom attendance.
From the Offices of...
Turnip the beets. Haley, a 7-year-old golden retriever, joined her forever family in 2023 and became an honorary member of Friends of Music at Mason, which supports the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music and raises funds for student scholarships. Haley’s favorite pastimes are listening to music, guarding the chickens, and watching her humans work in the garden.
Have something to share on this page? Review submission guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.