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"What drew me to Mason was its mission to insist that excellence and inclusivity are not seen as merely compatible. In fact, each is required for the other to exist."

- President Gregory Washington

Washington, the former engineering dean at Ohio State University (interim) and the University of California, Irvine, has strengthened George Mason’s commitment to access and opportunity by creating the (MVP), a pathway to a George Mason degree or help starting a business for any Virginian who aspires to either goal. MVP expands George Mason’s national award-winning with Northern Virginia Community College to select community colleges throughout the state. The Mason Virginia Promise Grant helps provide opportunities to students from low-income backgrounds.

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Marion Underwood

Provost and Executive Vice President

Marion Underwood serves as provost and executive vice president at 91����, where she leads the university’s academic mission, supporting faculty excellence and advancing the success of more than 40,000 students across four campuses. She joined George Mason in July 2026 and works in conjunction with President Gregory Washington to shape and execute the university’s strategic academic priorities. She also serves as professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. 

Prior to her appointment at George Mason, Provost Underwood served as provost and executive vice president at Colorado State University, where she where she drove strategic planning, budget innovation, and campus culture improvements. Her career also includes notable academic leadership roles at Purdue University and the University of Texas (UT) at Dallas. At Purdue, she served as dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, where she led the college through a period of strong enrollment. As dean of graduate studies and associate provost at UT Dallas, she led a notable rise in annual doctoral degree awards. 

Provost Underwood received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wellesley University, and her master’s degree and PhD in clinical psychology from Duke University.

Rose Pascarell

Executive Vice President and Chief of S​taff

Rose Pascarell is the executive vice president and chief of staff, after having most recently served as the vice president for University Life. She has held several leadership positions at the university as associate vice president for University Life, associate dean for campus life and associate director of the Women's Studies Research and Resource Center. Pascarell's leadership work in University Life focused on increasing student engagement and academic success.

Previously, Pascarell has worked on campus climate and multicultural/diversity issues for the last 15 years. Her teaching and workshops focused on race, class, gender, sexuality, and the formation of just community through the examination of difference.

Pascarell earned a BA in Sociology, Criminology, and Conflict Analysis at the State University of New York at Albany. Her MA in Sociology is from 91����.

Julie Zobel

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Julie A. Zobel serves as senior vice president and chief operating officer, overseeing Administration and Operations functions, including information technology, facilities, regional campuses, auxiliary services, business analysis, enterprise project management, enterprise risk management, emergency management, and safety programs. 

Joining George Mason in 2000, Zobel served in a progression of safety and risk leadership roles, culminating in her tenure as vice president and chief risk officer, before her appointments as interim SVP in August 2024 and permanent SVP and COO in April 2025. Notably, Zobel provided operational stewardship of the university's response to COVID-19, for which George Mason was recognized as a national leader in pandemic management, exemplifying how Mason delivers solutions that are All Together Different. 

Zobel earned dual bachelor's degrees in Hazardous Materials/Environmental Management and Civil Engineering from the University of Findlay and the University of Akron, respectively. She earned a master of science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Akron and a doctorate in Biodefense from 91����. 

Daniel Stephens

Interim Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President

Daniel Stephens serves as interim chief financial officer and senior vice president, overseeing university-wide finance functions, including accounting, budget, procurement, treasury, and fiscal compliance.

Stephens has served as vice president of finance since December 2024, when he came to 91���� with more than 35 years of senior financial leadership.  Most recently, Stephens had served as the CFO of the University of West Georgia Foundations, after seven years as vice president for Finance and Administration at Illinois State University. He had previously held various senior financial leadership roles at several universities, including the University of North Texas System, University of Idaho, and Central Michigan University.  

Before devoting his career to higher education, Stephens spent 15 years in senior financial leadership roles at several corporations, focusing on strategic financial planning and multi-year forecasting, beginning as a CPA with Deloitte.