Mason Spirit

From the Classroom to the Front Lines of Counterterrorism

Katarina Benson — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:18:56 +0000

From the Classroom to the Front Lines of Counterterrorism Katarina Benson Wed, 04/08/2026 - 08:18

Mahmut Cengiz, PhD Public Policy ’10, of George Mason's Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center, is a seasoned expert in terrorism, organized crime, and illicit economies.

Mahmut Cengiz. Photo provided

His work focuses on the dynamics of terrorism, smuggling, and criminal networks and contributes significantly to understanding and combating these global challenges. His latest book, Typologies of Terrorist Organizations: Conceptual Lenses and Counterterrorism Measures (Carolina Academic Press, September 2025), was cowritten with Mitchel Roth and Huseyin Cinoglu.

What inspired you to write this book?

When most people think of terrorism, they picture headline-grabbing attacks by well-known extremist groups. What they rarely see is the vast and complex web of organizations operating in the shadows, each with its own tactics, motivations, and impacts. That realization came to me while teaching BIOD 722 Examining Terrorist Organizations at the Schar School of Policy and Government, and it became the spark for Typologies of Terrorist Organizations.

My perspective was shaped by seven years working on the U.S. State Department’s Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center project at the Schar School, where I served as the project’s principal investigator and incident validator. Between 2018 and 2024, I validated more than 50,000 terrorist incidents worldwide. That work gave me a front-row view of how terrorist organizations operate, from their targets and weapons to their organizational structures.

How do you anticipate people using this book?

Combining this experience with my classroom teaching, I set out to create a textbook that bridges theory and practice, designed to serve students, policymakers, and practitioners alike. The book spans 14 chapters, analyzing terrorist groups using the latest conceptual frameworks and classifications. My hope is that readers will not only understand how these organizations function but also develop the analytical skills necessary to design effective counterterrorism strategies.

Was there anything that surprised you while working on this book?

What surprised me most during the writing process was realizing how broad and evolving the landscape of terrorism has become. While jihadist groups continue to dominate headlines, the growing influence of right-wing extremists, insurgent networks, and other politically motivated organizations demands equal attention. Connecting incident-level data to broader organizational behavior revealed hidden patterns and trends that are often missing from policy discussions, showing the importance of a truly holistic approach to understanding terrorism.

What are you working on now?

Since the closure of the State Department project in August 2025, I have continued my work as instructional faculty at the Schar School, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. I also write op-eds on terrorism, cartels, and security issues, bringing real-world insights into the classroom to spark discussion. Meanwhile, I am working on a new book examining the impacts of coups on democratic regimes, expanding my research into the broader dynamics of political instability worldwide.

Topics

Mason Spirit

Books

Schar School of Policy and Government

George Mason alum helped keep Team USA Safe at the Winter Olympics

Katarina Benson — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:25:08 +0000

George Mason alum helped keep Team USA Safe at the Winter Olympics Katarina Benson Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:25

Near the Italian town of Bormio, visitors can ride a mountain cable car to take in a breathtaking panorama from a café perched near the peak. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent Mohamed Hassan, BA Religious Studies ’20, who was a field liaison officer during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, recounts taking a break from supporting Team USA to sip a cappuccino alongside Olympians: “Everyone was really interested in what everyone's there to do…. Everyone's motivating one another.”

Hassan is both a federal law enforcement officer and a member of the Foreign Service. Photo provided

As a DSS special agent, Hassan is both a federal law enforcement officer and a member of the Foreign Service. DSS is the U.S. State Department’s law enforcement and security branch, and it led security for the U.S. presence during Milan Cortina 2026. In Bormio, Hassan coordinated with the Italian police, military, and other organizations to help create a safe environment in which U.S. athletes could focus on their competitions.

When Hassan describes the community of that mountaintop café, it echoes his days at George Mason, where he made friends with people from all over the world over potlucks and soccer games. Hassan, who grew up in Fairfax, developed his talents for bringing people together as a Patriot Leader and student advisor.

He says he eventually decided to major in religious studies because of religion’s impact on everything from how people relate to each other to how governments interact. He focused on the Middle East and said his George Mason cohort “knew what I wanted to do and they helped me get there.” He also credits Nathaniel Greenberg, associate professor of Arabic, for pushing him to hone his existing Arabic language skills.

Hassan knew he wanted to be a part of something important and give back to the country that welcomed his family when they emigrated from Egypt. He took advantage of George Mason’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and enrolled in an internship with the U.S. State Department through the federal Pathways Internship Program, which provides students paid work experience with the possibility of a job. After graduating, Hassan successfully joined the department, and about four years later, he became a DSS special agent.

Hassan with the Olympic rings. Photo provided

While working in Bormio, Hassan said he was able to immerse himself in Italian culture, witness ski mountaineering’s Olympic debut, and even hold an Olympic medal. His favorite local Bormio dish was pizzoccheri, which consists of hearty buckwheat pasta with potatoes, cabbage, and Valtellina Casera cheese topped with garlic and melted butter.

While an Olympics assignment is a rare opportunity, Hassan says every day is different working in DSS and “the world is your oyster.” And he means it quite literally. In his eight years with the department, Hassan has traveled to more than 30 countries and is eager to see more. With DSS operating at U.S. diplomatic facilities in more than 170 countries, that should be easy. Hassan is already looking forward to a new assignment where he can use his language and culture skills.

Learn more

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Alumni

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Mason Spirit

A Future We Want

Katarina Benson — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:25:47 +0000

A Future We Want Katarina Benson Tue, 12/02/2025 - 11:25

One Grand Challenge. Six Grand Solutions.

91�� has launched its Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI), a comprehensive research framework backed by an initial five-year, $15 million investment. The initiative aligns university resources, faculty expertise, and educational programs around six interconnected solution areas addressing what George Mason President Gregory Washington describes as "humanity's ultimate grand challenge"—securing a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future.

"Our world is at a crossroads," Washington says. "It is time to either brace for global decline and a future that none of us wants, or seize control of our destiny and work to reverse course. It will take all of us working together on all these solutions at once to alter the trajectory of our future."

Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact, leads the initiative, which was developed through a faculty-driven task force and focuses on six grand solutions:

Advancing 21st-century education for all
Building a climate-resilient society
Driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure
Improving human health, well-being, and preparedness
Pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration
Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy

"George Mason is driven by discovery," says Marshall. "This means unleashing our bold ideas from their theoretical and laboratory boundaries, thoughtfully cultivating them as they take shape, and fearlessly deploying them as innovations that will transform our lives."

GCI will enhance educational opportunities, increase faculty talent and expertise, align current research projects, seed new proposals, and build essential infrastructure across George Mason's campuses. Working in conjunction with the university's $1 billion Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign, the initiative seeks partnerships with government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.

Advancing 21st-Century Education for All

At George Mason, we believe talent is equally distributed among people, but opportunity is not. Education helps creates more productive ways to participate in civil society, allows more choice in how to contribute to the economy, and prepares people to make more informed choices for a healthy and prosperous life. As Virginia’s largest and most diverse university, George Mason is transforming excellence and access through flexible and scalable learning experiences, accessibility research, focused PreK-12 skill development, and robust STEM and systems-thinking education alongside critical thinking and cooperation skills.

"Future ready skills aren't just a buzzword—they are a necessity. Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, digital fluency, and environmental stewardship are the currency of tomorrow's workforce."

—Ingrid Guerra Lopez, Dean, College of Education and Human Development

Building a Climate-Resilient Society

George Mason is applying science, policy, and innovation to safeguard communities and ecosystems through sustainable practices and infrastructure, real-time weather-related information, and community planning and preparedness training. From a solar-powered greenhouse that allows resilient food production to advanced predictive modeling that identifies weather-related or other natural disasters, the university is developing the leadership and talent to produce solutions alongside partners on a global scale.

"George Mason, being the largest public university in Virginia, owes it to the residents of the commonwealth to create innovative solutions to increase community resilience."

—James Kinter, Director, Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies

Driving Responsible Digital Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure

From artificial intelligence and robotics to digital twins and quantum computing, new technologies are reshaping every aspect of life and culture at a rate faster than most institutions can keep up with. George Mason is researching and applying technologies that improve human life and a peaceful coexistence in increasingly digital societies by enhancing connectivity, economic opportunity, and reducing disparities through public services while also protecting the planet. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, workforce education, and public–private partnerships, George Mason is helping shape a digital future that is both ethical and advanced.

"We can no longer separate technology from the public good. Innovation must serve society, and at George Mason, we're doing just that."

—Amarda Shehu, Chief AI Officer

Improving Human Health, Well-Being, and Preparedness

Healthy populations are less vulnerable to disease and crises and better equipped to contribute to peaceful and prosperous communities. George Mason is actively approaching improvements in health systems, mental well-being, and emergency preparedness to build resilience for the future. With a people-first integrated approach that advances science, develops talent, and strengthens communities, George Mason is modeling scenarios that prioritize access to preventative care while investing in emergency prevention and preparedness scenario training.

"We build strength across the health system by building people."

- Melissa Perry, MBA '25, Dean, College of Public Health

Pioneering Space Exploration, Research, and Collaboration

Space exploration ofers essential tools for life on Earth—fueling technological breakthroughs, enhancing environmental forecasting, and expanding our understanding of the universe. From designing an artificial star with NASA to using satellite data for storm prediction, George Mason is driving space-based discovery that meets real-world needs—connecting knowledge to action and impact.

"Space exploration isn't just about discovery - it's about preserving our humanity and values beyond Earth."

—Anamaria Berea, Professor, Computational and Data Sciences

Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Engagement in Democracy

Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy is vital for creating resilient, inclusive societies where individuals feel empowered to shape their future. George Mason is building civic trust and advancing peace by preparing students to lead, supporting global collaboration, and fostering community resilience. Working with faculty and experts on real-world policy solutions, George Mason equips the next generation to contribute meaningfully to democratic resilience at home and abroad.

"We teach our students to identify the underlying causes of conflict and equip them with the theory and practical skills to put their knowledge into action."

—Alpasalan Ozerdem, Dean, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Learn more about the Grand Challenge Initiative

Andre Marshall joined President Gregory Washington on the Access to Excellence podcast to discuss GCI

Listen to the episode

Reinventing Virginia’s Health Care Future

Katarina Benson — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:42:06 +0000

Reinventing Virginia’s Health Care Future Katarina Benson Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:42

As Virginia faces growing shortages in the health care workforce, the Claude Moore Foundation and 91�� have formed a groundbreaking partnership to seek solutions and build a flexible, inclusive, and data-driven workforce pipeline. The effort is one designed not just to meet current needs but to shape a stronger, more equitable future for health care in the commonwealth.

At the center of this partnership is William Hazel, former Virginia secretary of health and human resources and now CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities, the foundation’s arm for strategic partnerships. Hazel’s longstanding relationship with George Mason—he served as senior advisor for strategic initiatives from 2018 to 2020—helped seed many of the elements that define this collaboration.

That ethos underpins the Claude Moore Foundation’s guiding philosophy to open doors and expand opportunity. By investing in innovative models that expand access and strengthen workforce readiness, the foundation is helping to remove barriers and build ladders.

Through George Mason’s Center for Health Workforce at the College of Public Health, the university plays a leading role as Virginia’s hub for workforce research and strategy. The center’s work has led to the development of statewide data platforms that have shaped policy, informing local pilot programs in more remote areas of Virginia and driving conversations about behavioral health and early childhood care.

The Claude Moore Career Highway is one pathway to draw more health care workers. This new framework treats the health care workforce not as a single pipeline but as a network, offering “on-ramps and off-ramps” to support Virginians seeking this career path at any stage of life, whether they’re high school students, career switchers, or adults returning to school after time away.

The Claude Moore Scholars Program is another key component of efforts to expand the workforce, introducing high school students to health care careers through hands-on experiences and clear pathways from K–12 to college to career. Already active in 17 Virginia districts and expanding, the program reflects both Claude Moore’s and George Mason’s shared commitment to access, equity, and tangible outcomes.

The impact is measurable. Many of the program’s graduates return to serve in their home communities, reflecting a model that’s not just about producing talent—but producing the right talent for Virginia.

As Hazel puts it, “This workforce issue is cresting. The question is how do we attract people, train them, and help them grow?” Thanks to the partnership between Claude Moore and George Mason, Virginia is beginning to answer that question—boldly, equitably, and with lasting impact.

This partnership is part of Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason's historic $1 billion campaign to advance student success, research, innovation, stewardship, and community engagement.

Patriot Profile: Madison Schittig

pchampan — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:13:46 +0000

Patriot Profile: Madison Schittig pchampan Tue, 12/10/2024 - 11:13

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Year: Junior

Major: Mason LIFE, Photography

Hometown: Warrenton, Virginia

Having a unique perspective on viewing the world is one thing—but it’s another thing to be able to photograph that perspective in a tangible way that can be shared with others. Take a look at the work of student photographer Madison Schittig, a photography intern in George Mason’s Office of University Branding (OUB), and one can immediately see she’s been gifted with the latter. Via Schittig’s striking point of view— including her eye for geometric lines, shapes, and color— familiar places on campus become abstract, and landmarks and buildings well-known to many transform in startling ways.

As a Mason LIFE student, Schittig takes classes and until recently was accompanied during her internship by the program’s student support staff, current undergraduate or graduate George Mason students. The phased support that these students provide is all part of Mason LIFE’s mission of offering a comprehensive transition program for qualified students. As of November, Schittig has progressed to attending her internship independently.

A Quiet Place: Schittig fell in love with photography after she received her first camera from her sister. It quickly became her favorite class in high school, where she found a sanctuary in the dark room. “It’s so calm in there, it’s like a stress relief,” she says. Though she now shoots digital photos for OUB, that love of the art form has continued into her time at George Mason. “It makes me feel like I have a purpose. I also feel like I’m not alone, I have a team.”

Natural Inspiration: Many of Schittig’s photos center around the natural world. “I just feel drawn to nature, because I like the woods, and I used to play in the woods when I was growing up. I like the trees, I like the grass, I even like the river…because it has texture.”

Learning from the Pros: Senior photographers Ron Aira and Evan Cantwell, MA Arts Management '10, serve as Schittig’s mentors and supervise her internship. “With Ron, he taught me how to edit raw photos, and he taught me all these cool tricks and tips. Evan taught me shooting—it’s good to shoot up close for people,” Schittig says. “I like it here, I like the people, I like the team. I really want to stay here one more year.”

Making Memories: Like many other Patriots, Schittig cites friends and clubs as her favorite things about George Mason. But Schittig’s favorite George Mason memory is a bit more personal. Twice, the university’s biweekly email newsletter has featured her work, including her self-professed favorite, a striking scene of colorful origami garlands cascading in front of a white bicycle.

Advice for Future Patriots: “Don’t be nervous. You’ll be nervous at first, but once you get the hang of it then you’ll be fine. But always bring the proper camera.”

View Schittig’s work on YouTube or in accessible PDF format.

Learn more about Mason LIFE

In her new 'memoir in animals,' Creative Writing professor examines her writing life

ckearney — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 17:46:28 +0000

In her new 'memoir in animals,' Creative Writing professor examines her writing life ckearney Tue, 12/03/2024 - 12:46

George Mason English professor Kyoko Mori writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her latest book, Cat and Bird (Belt Publishing, March 2024), has been called a “memoir in animals” and focuses on the six house cats who defined the major eras of her life as a writer.

Kyoko Mori with her cats. Photo provided

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve lived my entire adult life with cats and yet my previous books—both fiction and nonfiction—only featured cats in the periphery of the story, as colorful minor characters at best. In truth, getting my first cat at 22 was a life-altering event: that cat saw me through graduate school, my first full-time teaching job, marriage and divorce, and the publication of my first two books. I wouldn’t be the same person I am now if I hadn’t been with him for 18 years. So my first impetus was to finally do justice to him and to his successors.

I wanted to push against the misconception that cats and dogs are opposites—the cliché that cats are selfish and independent while dogs are loving and loyal. For those of us who are devoted to our animal companions, cats and dogs, equally, can be our alter ego or avatar—the core of who we are.

The real contrast is between cats and dogs on one hand and songbirds and other wildlife on the other. Even with birds who come to our window feeder or end up in our care (I worked as a songbird rehabilitator), we can only admire them from a distance or nurse them back to health in order to return them to the wild. We love companion animals by holding on; we love wildlife by letting go. I wanted to explore this contrast.

What surprised you about the process of writing this book?

I knew from the beginning that the book was going to be about the way the two kinds of devotion—to cats and to birds—have sustained my work as a writer and helped me to make a home as a single childless woman who is happy in her solitude and yet fulfilled by her involvement in the community. Having a husband and children is not the only way to engage meaningfully with the world and make a positive impact.

The balance between solitude and community and the joy of making a home alone (with cats) did remain important ideas in the book. But I also realized that a book about living with animal companions and witnessing the dangers that threaten birds, other wildlife, and the whole planet will have to dig deep into grief. The desire to hold on and let go at the same time—as when a beloved animal companion dies or when we watch from the ground as migratory birds navigate the sky full of danger—became the essential aspect of the book’s narrative and investigation.

What are you working on now?

My last nonfiction book before Cat and Bird was a knitting memoir titled Yarn: Remembering the Way Home. Since finishing Cat and Bird, I’ve picked up where Yarn finished and published four personal essays about women and clothes: shopping with my close friends, how we express ourselves with our clothes, etc. At the same time, I continue to be interested in backyard wildlife—birds that were not included in Cat and Bird and squirrels—especially after a squirrel made a nest in the flowerpot on my window ledge, had two babies, and stayed for two weeks before moving her nest to a maple tree in the backyard.

Sei Shōnagon, the 11th-century Japanese writer who appears in Cat and Bird as the embodiment of the book’s spirit, was equally interested in the beauty of nature and of human-made objects. I don’t think clothes and backyard wildlife can fit into the same book for me as they did for her, but for now I’m following the inspiration of her astute observations about both and seeing where my work goes.

Discover more from the English Department at George Mason

Mason Korea Marks a Decade of Success

ckearney — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 20:43:08 +0000

Mason Korea Marks a Decade of Success ckearney Thu, 08/29/2024 - 16:43

In March 2014, 91�� took a nearly 7,000-mile step in its commitment to becoming a university for the world when it opened its campus in Songdo, Korea. This June, the university took a moment to celebrate a successful 10 years with a week of festivities.

What began with 20 students as part of the Incheon Global Campus, a national project established by the Korean government and Incheon Metropolitan City to innovate the Korean education system and nurture the next generation of global leaders, now boasts more than 900 students who represent 18 countries.

The new campus is a key source of educational, research, and internship opportunities for George Mason students in both the United States and Korea. As then-provost Peter Stearns, who played a pivotal role in establishing Mason Korea, said, “Preparing students for their future lives and careers has to involve a serious global component because they’re living in a world where global interactions are increasingly going to be part of the fabric of their lives.”

Mason Korea offers six undergraduate and two graduate degrees and encourages Korea-based students to experience one year of their college studies in the United States. About 100 students travel to Virginia each semester.

Virginia-based administrators, faculty, staff, and students traveled to South Korea to take part in the celebration and begin planning for the next decade. They even brought along their own band.

Making Beautiful Music Together

Part of the group traveling to Mason Korea from Virginia was music professor and director of the Green Machine Ensembles Michael “Doc Nix” Nickens and a small group from the Green Machine.

The Mason Korea anniversary opening event featured a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Green Machine pep band and Mason Korea's student band, Crescent. The bands’ synergy filled the banquet hall with a mix of English and Korean pop music hits.

“It was really interesting interacting with musicians from Mason Korea,” says Green Machine drummer Dylan Story. “It goes to show how music is a universal language that we all share regardless of who we are, where we come from.”

Meeting with the Mayor of Incheon

A landmark meeting between George Mason president Gregory Washington and Incheon mayor Jeong-bok Yoo helped mark a decade of successful collaboration and solidified a commitment to the future of Mason Korea.

Washington expressed his gratitude for Incheon’s unwavering support over the past decade. Discussions focused on Mason Korea's future, including expanding the campus and establishing new research institutes.

“This meeting with Mayor Yoo provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on Mason Korea's remarkable journey,” says Washington. “We look forward to sharing our vision for the future and further strengthening our partnership with Incheon City for mutual growth.”

Yoo echoed the sentiment, extending congratulations on Mason Korea's anniversary and acknowledging their contributions to the Incheon Global Campus (IGC). He specifically highlighted the university's role in cultivating global talent, citing the significant increase in IGC student enrollment this year.

Yoo also commended Mason Korea's commitment to the region through initiatives like the new master of laws degree program, which fosters local talent development and competitiveness.

“We are grateful for Mason Korea’s dedication to raising the profile of the IGC,” says Yoo. “Their success aligns perfectly with our vision for the Incheon Global Campus. We look forward to their continued contributions.”

Continued Alliance with the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority

George Mason and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA) also solidified their partnership with a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Washington and IFEZA commissioner Wonsok Yun led the signing ceremony, paving the way for expanded collaboration on industry–academia projects between Mason Korea, located in the Songdo International Business District of the Incheon free economic zone, and IFEZA.

The agreement focuses on fostering joint educational and research initiatives in critical areas like bioengineering, biomanufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, information and communication technologies, and start-up incubation. This collaboration has the potential to create exciting new opportunities for students and researchers in both Korea and the United States.

“This MOU marks a significant step forward for Mason Korea,” says Washington. “By expanding our cooperation with IFEZA, we aim to equip students with valuable educational experiences and further support the development of the Incheon region.”

“We are thrilled to solidify our existing partnership with Mason Korea and extend it to encompass George Mason’s U.S. campus," says Yun. “This MOU has the potential to propel both 91�� and the Incheon region toward a brighter future.”

An Anniversary Gala

As part of the celebration, Mason Korea hosted a gala at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, during which Washington and Mason Korea dean Robert Matz reflected on Mason Korea's history and outlined plans for the future. A video message from Stearns, now provost emeritus, was part of the program.

“A lot of people have put in tremendous amounts of time and constructive energy, so [Mason Korea is] a real achievement that all sorts of people have contributed to, including the students,” says Stearns, who was provost from 2000 to 2015. “It's just really good to see the campus succeeding to this extent, and it's a source of real pleasure to me that we've done so well.”

Mason Korea supporters who made this milestone possible—including deans, senior leadership, current and former leadership, and advisory board members—were also recognized.

A highlight of the evening was a generous $60,000 pledge by Mason Korea advisory board member Sam Machour, bringing his total commitment to student scholarships since 2022 to $120,000. Goeun Baek, a scholarship recipient, delivered an emotional speech expressing gratitude to Machour for his transformative impact on her academic journey.

Class of 2024

The week of festivities culminated with Mason Korea faculty, staff, students, and proud families gathering to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2024. Guests also had the opportunity to witness two Mason Korea firsts as Vice Provost Janette Muir hooded its first doctoral graduate, Eric W. Ross, PhD Cultural Studies ’24, and Washington recognized its first Presidential Faculty Excellence Award recipient Eunmee Lee.

Ross and Lee are both Mason Korea faculty members. Ross teaches in the School of Integrative Studies. Lee joined Mason as a faculty member for INTO Mason in 2015. In 2016, she transferred to the Mason Korea faculty in Incheon, where she is currently an instructional associate professor and teaches English for academic purposes. Lee is also the founder and director of Mason Korea’s Academic Resource Center.

Graduating senior Se Na Julsdorf, BA Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’24, delivered a moving speech on behalf of the student body, and George Mason alum Gunsu Kim, BS Tourism and Events Management ’12, CEO of ALLWorks, had the honor of pinning the newest graduates.

In his congratulatory remarks, Washington highlighted the campus’s unique role, stating, “Mason Korea exemplifies how George Mason is 'All Together Different' and how our university offers students the experiences necessary to chart their own path, but at the same time prepares them for success in the global economy.”

Meet Some Mason Korea Alumni

As students who have studied in both Korea and the United States, Mason Korea students have a world of options on where to start their careers.

Learn about a few alumni who chose to start their careers in the United States >

Learn more about Mason Korea

Meet Some Mason Korea Alumni

ckearney — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 20:32:56 +0000

Meet Some Mason Korea Alumni ckearney Thu, 08/29/2024 - 16:32

Almost 100 students a year travel from Mason Korea to spend time taking classes on George Mason’s Virginia campuses. Here are some alumni who have chosen to kick off their careers in the United States.

Nara Lee, BA Global Affairs ’20, is the program manager at the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington for the Centers for Disease Control's national Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health program. While at Mason Korea, Lee was an active teaching and research assistant in conflict analysis and resolution, computational and data sciences, and climate change programming, all while being an avid student leader. She earned a master's degree in global health economy from Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2023.

Haseung (Madeline) Joung, BA Global Affairs ’20, is the manager for public relations and social media at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. Joung started her career in journalism as a reporting intern for Voice of America in Washington, D.C., at the height of the pandemic. Her passion for media led her to be the public relations officer and staff writer for the Korean Culture and Information Service in Seoul, South Korea, the government institution that brought her back to her current role at one of the 32 cultural centers worldwide.

Eun Seok (Peter) Jang, BS Accounting ’22, is a tax consultant for business tax services at Deloitte in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Da Jung (Michelle) Jung, BA Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’20, is a policy research analyst for the Political Affairs Division of the Republic of Korea Embassy in Washington, D.C. Jung interned at Fairfax County’s workplace conflict awareness program and George Mason’s Early Identification Program as an undergraduate and worked for several international organizations in South Korea before coming back to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. In 2023 she graduated from Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies with an MA in international relations.

Seulki (Michaela) Kim, BS Information Technology ’20, is an associate for forensic services at Charles River Associates in Washington, D.C. As a student, Kim worked with various offices on the Fairfax Campus, including in the Office of University Branding, INTO Mason, the Department of Computer Science, and the Facilities Help Desk. Kim expects to graduate this winter with a master’s degree in digital forensics from George Mason.

Saeyeon Kwon, BA Global Affairs ’22, is an incoming environmental, social, and governance (ESG) intern for the stewardship team at Sands Capital in Arlington, Virginia, following several internships in ESG impact investment. Kwon recently graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s degree in environment and sustainability management.

Learn more about Mason Korea

Building a Bridge

ckearney — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 19:48:47 +0000

Building a Bridge ckearney Thu, 08/29/2024 - 15:48

Since 2014, INTO 91�� has offered classes to more than 3,000 international students from 70 countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

INTO students at move in. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

A collaboration between George Mason and INTO University Partnerships, INTO Mason offers both undergraduate and graduate pathway programs for international students who want to study at George Mason.

“Our programs are designed to help students improve their English skills, understand the U.S. academic world, and provide them with wrap-around support so they succeed once they are fully immersed in their academic studies at George Mason,” says Todd Rose, executive director of INTO Mason.

Students who have gone through the INTO Mason programs are typically successful in their chosen studies, says Aimee Weinstein, DA Higher Education ’06, INTO Mason term assistant professor. For example, 82 percent of students who start in an INTO Mason graduate pathway program go on to graduate with a master’s degree.

“At INTO Mason, everyone—from professors to enrollment specialists—is really focused on student success,” says Weinstein. “That translates into students who feel confident that they can succeed and are encouraged every step of the way.”

Learn more about INTO Mason

Next Stop, the World

ckearney — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 18:50:53 +0000

Next Stop, the World ckearney Thu, 08/29/2024 - 14:50

At this moment, there is a member of the Mason Nation on just about every continent of the globe: conducting research, mastering a language, learning a new skill, and acquiring new knowledge.

For decades, 91�� has advanced global learning opportunities and fostered international research. We have leveraged partnerships like INTO 91�� to bring thousands of international students to George Mason from more than 130 countries and speaking 80 languages, while providing courses in nearly two dozen countries each year through the Global Education Office (GEO) for those who wish to study abroad.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the university’s campus and operations in South Korea. Mason Korea launched in Songdo in March 2014 as part of the Incheon Global Campus, a national project established by the Korean government and Incheon Metropolitan City to innovate the Korean education system and nurture the next generation of global leaders.

More than 1,000 students, representing more than 18 countries, are currently studying at Mason Korea, and that success has led to conversations exploring similar partnerships.

“I’ve always appreciated that Mason’s U.S. campuses are so international. So when students from our U.S. campuses go to Mason Korea, they are not encountering an international campus for the first time, but different kinds of internationalism,” says Robert Matz, the former dean of Mason Korea. “This shared—but different— internationalism in one reason I think Mason Korea has been so successful.”

It is all part of preparing students for success in an increasingly international and interconnected world. Expanding and enriching George Mason’s global footprint is a priority—making it critical for the university to reimagine and redesign George Mason’s global vision and establish a path forward.

Enter Chrishon Blackwell, an organizational development leader with a deep understanding of international education, as the senior international officer and executive director of the Global Education Office (GEO).

Since arriving at George Mason in 2023, Blackwell has been identifying how to leverage the university’s resources in ways that will further enhance students’ experiences while simultaneously exploring ways for the university to maintain global competitiveness and strengthen relationships with its global partners.

“The goal is to create stronger global citizens and to do that it is critically important to identify, help facilitate, and advance what’s already happening on campus,” says Blackwell. “If GEO is to provide students opportunities to immerse themselves in holistic activities that result in individuals who can compete on [an] international scale, we need to think more intentionally about what impacts them across the disciplines.”

GEO offers a variety of study-abroad program options, ranging from short-term to semester-long experiences. The programs are organized into four distinct categories.

George Mason-led Programs

These are the traditional study-abroad experiences that many George Mason alumni remember. As the name suggests, these programs are led by George Mason faculty and usually run over winter break, spring break, and during the summer. A few programs are offered for an entire semester, and there is often course credit attached.

During the 2023-24 academic year, 670 students traveled to 29 locations on short-term programs and 25 students went on semester-long experiences.

In March 2023, two different groups of Schar School of Policy and Government students traveled to the southern border of the United States and Mexico to experience firsthand the policy debates on both sides of the immigration issue.

Other trips included studying criminal justice in the United Kingdom and Ireland and a trip to the Balkans to look at reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction.

Schar School graduate students at the Mexican senate in Mexico City. Not only did the Schar School students receive a shout out from the Senate floor, they were invited to a briefing in a committee room and to sit at Senate desks. Photo provided.

Global Gateway

In this program, first-year students can spend their fall semester at George Mason and their spring semester at one of 10 different locations in such countries as Costa Rica, Morocco, or Greece.

Global Gateway is specifically designed for first-year students with a curriculum that allows students to satisfy many core requirements while taking advantage of local expertise. During the fall semester, students enroll in GEOC 108 Mason Transitions on the Fairfax Campus with fellow Global Gateway participants. In the spring, they travel with a cohort to another country. According to Jon May, GEO’s assistant director for Global Gateway, the program hosted 108 first-year students in 11 cohorts—two in Korea—during the spring 2024 semester.

Global Internships

The university’s Global Internships Program allows undergraduate and graduate students to learn more about their chosen field of study and earn course credits with travel, virtual, and hybrid internships during winter break and the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Students are placed with companies that align with their field of study and spend the term absorbing knowledge and the country’s culture, whether in person or virtually.

“Our existing programs cover 35 different career fields with many crossovers,” said Kelly McNulty, experiential programs manager for GEO. “Students also have the opportunity to create their own internship by finding and applying to an internship and working with our team to set it up for course credit.”

In 2023-24, 103 students from George Mason interned across the globe with companies in 21 countries. The top travel destinations were Japan, Argentina, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Korea, India, Italy, Czech Republic, Morocco, Germany, and Australia.

Hiking glaciers in New Zealand. Photo provided by Global Education Office

Partner Schools

George Mason works with dozens of partners worldwide and was able to send 89 students to more than 16 locations during the 2023–24 academic year. While most students enrolled in semester-long programs, some enrolled in an international summer school.

One of the most popular study-abroad programs in this category is also George Mason’s most prestigious—the Oxford Semester, which launched in 1995. Each semester, a small group of high-achieving George Mason undergraduate and graduate students is selected to study in the United Kingdom as affiliated students at one of the 39 Oxford colleges.

Other partner schools include a number of universities in Australia, France, and Japan; Ghent University in Belgium; and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Global Residencies

Outside GEO, there are additional opportunities to study abroad and even some programs that require it.

In the mid-1990s, George Mason’s Costello College of Business began requiring its graduate students to participate in a global residency. These residencies offer firsthand experience on how business is conducted outside of the United States and highlight the importance of acknowledging the cultural differences that exist between countries.

Global residencies are typically 10-day travel and business experiences where students are immersed in educational programming including company visits, discussions with industry leaders, meetings with executives, and cultural excursions. Faculty play an integral leadership and mentoring role before, during, and after the residency.

For students, these trips are typically the most memorable class of their graduate program. Since the program’s inception, students have participated in more than 100 residencies around the globe. This summer, seven groups traveled to Dubai, Japan, Greece, South Africa, Brazil, Ireland, and France.

Travel Fellowships and International Exchanges

The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center, part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, offers travel fellowships to graduate students in George Mason’s Creative Writing Program. These awards are designed to help students pursue an international writing project.

Since the program began in 2017, fellowships have taken George Mason students to the Philippines to learn more about World War II Filipino resistance fighters and to Germany to research the life of 12th-century abbess Hildegard of Bingen, who was one of the few female authors of medieval Europe.

The Cheuse Center also hosts established and emerging international writers for a residency in Northern Virginia. These visiting writers continue their creative work, teach classes, and take part in events that highlight international literature. This residency seeks to strengthen the bonds between George Mason, Washington, D.C., and international literary communities. In 2023, the center hosted award-winning novelist Juan Gómez Bárcena from Madrid, Spain.

Students visited Strasbourg Cathedral in France on one Winter 2023 trip. Photo provided by Global Education Office

Reimagining George Mason’s Global Footprint

Following a thorough review of George Mason’s current international offerings, Blackwell recently identified a series of priorities in research, teaching, and engagement to expand the university’s global footprint. These priorities include initiatives such as exploring ways to support George Mason’s global research activities and collaborations, examining strategies to globalize the student learning experience, and conducting a comprehensive review of George Mason’s international partnerships.

George Mason’s revamped global engagement and emphasis on global learning signifies a deep commitment to advancing the university’s internationalization efforts. Not only will it elevate the student experience and provide valuable opportunities for faculty to engage globally, but it will also include perspectives from alumni and partners who can assist in establishing new initiatives.

Looking forward, Blackwell says this new centralized direction will allow the university to “think creatively and boldly about ways to expand international capacity” and will “make George Mason a rich and diverse tapestry that will ensure the university is competitive around the world while meeting the community’s needs.”

Jennifer Anzaldi, Achim Loch, Ryley McGinnis, Colleen Kearney Rich, and Pam Shepherd contributed to this story.

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