The Department of celebrated a national honor for Associate Professor Alexandre Barreto, who was selected for the inaugural 2027 cohort of EM-FUEL (Entrepreneurial Mindset for Future University Engineering Leaders), a leadership-development program supported by . Designed for emerging leaders in engineering and computing, the year-long program helps faculty develop the skills and networks needed to drive innovation and institutional impact.
Barreto earned the distinction through his commitment to creating engaging, real-world learning experiences for students. At 91, he has championed entrepreneurial mindset learning in cybersecurity education, including innovative “Shark Tank” projects that encourage master's and doctoral students to tackle complex challenges while working alongside industry, government, and academic partners.
“I look forward to bringing this experience back to further strengthen our ‘Shark Tank’ projects, which connect students to real-world challenges through partnerships with industry, government, and academia,” Barreto said.
His selection reflects both his dedication to student success and George Mason's commitment to preparing future cybersecurity leaders who can translate technical expertise into meaningful impact. The knowledge and connections gained through EM-FUEL will help create even more opportunities for students to engage with real-world problems, build professional networks, and develop the entrepreneurial skills that today's workforce demands.