Spirit Magazine

Our Students Can Hack It

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:39:34 +0000

Our Students Can Hack It Katarina Benson Tue, 03/24/2026 - 14:39

91�� students have key roles to play in the future of cybersecurity—and they are rising to the occasion. Over the past few years, the university has advanced as a leader in this rapidly developing field. In the 2025 Country-to-Country Capture the Flag contest, for example, only 100 finalists were invited from the world over—and five of them were from George Mason.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“Our students are focused and curious,” says Sai Manoj, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and advisor to George Mason hackathon participants. “And they're very interested in participating in hackathons.”

Hackathons, like PatriotHacks and other competitions such as Capture the Flag and Defend the Republic, are considered essential extracurricular activities by many students in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC). Whether a student is passionate about hardware, software, datasets, AI-driven workflows, puzzle-solving, or flying robots, there is something for everyone.

“These competitions are an important bridge between our academic programs and the evolving demands of the technology and cybersecurity industries,” says Kamaljeet Sanghera, MS Information Systems ’00, executive director of talent development and a professor of information technology at CEC who has served as a faculty sponsor to George Mason’s annual PatriotHacks.

She says these competitions complement students’ classroom education and allow them to gain real-world, hands-on experience while networking with professionals in settings that encourage innovative thinking.

“Industry involvement definitely enriches these experiences,” says Sanghera of the companies that sponsor these competitions. “Sponsors and mentors introduce students to real-world tools, datasets, and AI-driven workflows, helping them see how their skills apply in professional settings.”

And it opens doors for these students. One George Mason student, Fatima Majid, discovered this when she placed in the top 10 at the 2025 National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Cyber Competition against defense professionals. She so impressed those attending that the NDIA vice president introduced himself afterward, and she had a large group of attendees interested in talking to her.

Sanghera notes that these challenges also set George Mason grads up for post-collegiate success in other ways. “They challenge students to tackle complex problems under time constraints,” she says. “Whether by developing innovative solutions in a hackathon or analyzing and defending systems in a Capture the Flag competition, both experiences help students build technical skills, while also strengthening essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking.”

These events provide important lessons, too, in learning how to get up again after experiencing difficult setbacks and challenges. The recent George Mason Fail-a-Thon encouraged students to “fail forward” by judging them on ambition, creativity, and iteration instead of penalizing for mistakes. “The goal was to celebrate experimentation and meaningful learning,” says Humaira Akhtari, a term instructor in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology, who judged the event.

Students don’t have to go far to find an opportunity either. The 2025 Raytheon Defend the Republic autonomous blimp contest, for example, took place on the Fairfax Campus in EagleBank Arena.

“George Mason has a very strong background in general in security. It's not just about the faculty, but also the students and the locality,” says Manoj. “With the government and so many high-tech companies nearby, there’s a huge need for security in the area. That means that the students and faculty are seeing a lot of opportunities for growth.”

Meet a few of the George Mason students who are advancing in cyber competitions at the national level.

This content appears in the Spring 2026 print edition of the Mason Spirit Magazine.

More Than Meets the Eye

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:34:11 +0000

More Than Meets the Eye Katarina Benson Tue, 03/24/2026 - 13:34

The knifefish is a predatory fish with a distinctive frilly fin on its underside that allows it to move backward and forward. It’s normally found in South American rivers–so what is one doing wafting through the air in George Mason’s EagleBank Arena?

Knifey, a nature-inspired blimp based on the knifefish’s movement (with an added ferocious glare), is just one of junior Alexia De Costa’s projects combining art and robotics. “I love any way to get people interested in tech and also understand complicated things visually,” she says.

De Costa played with robotics kits as a kid, then got into Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where she developed her skills even further and connected them with her love of nature. “In high school, I made puppy, guinea pig, and bunny robots that could all do different things. I love figuring out how to make the robots more visually pleasing to make the interactions more appealing to the user.”

Alexia De Costa is an applied CS major. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

When De Costa came to George Mason as an applied computer science major and an Honors College student, she became involved in the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX). There, she ran a Robot Night workshop, teaching students how to make robots from scratch.

Since then, she has leveraged George Mason resources to power her projects. Through the Research and Interdisciplinary STEM Experiences (RISE) Scholars program, De Costa hosted a robot blimp-making workshop for middle school students. She also became involved with the Mason Autonomous Robotics Center (MARC) as a research assistant. This is where she designed and built Knifey, which she piloted in the 2025 Defend the Republic blimp competition in EagleBank Arena.

In 2025, also through MARC and with support from the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research, De Costa led a team of eight students to develop giant art and tech pieces. “It was a series of works to convey very technical information. It blends art and robotics to make these topics engaging to the general public.”

One of these pieces was a giant interactive eye with pixelated sensors that help viewers understand how computer vision works. Another was a lenticular design project illustrating how sea life inspires their robot blimps. De Costa is working to have these pieces installed at spots across campus.

Her current research project harkens back to her high school roots but with a twist. De Costa and her team took second place at Sauceathon 2025, a hardware-focused hackathon hosted by Open Sauce and the National Havoc Robot League, for their robotic cat.

The challenge began with a $500 combat robot kit and a mission: modify the base design to complete a rescue scenario in an apocalyptic setting. The 24-hour event tested De Costa and her team’s endurance and ingenuity. Against a backdrop of camera crews and livestreams, George Mason’s team stood out for its creativity and adaptability. Even after a late-night power outage forced participants to improvise, the team completed two rescue runs, performing “emergency surgery” with duct tape between rounds.

“Usually hackathons are software focused, so building a robot was so much fun,” says De Costa. “Seeing it succeed was exciting. We’re definitely planning to attend the next one.”

They train, compete, and perform at the highest levels—only their arena is cybersecurity. Like top athletes, George Mason's cyber-focused students prove themselves when the pressure is on.

Read more from this series >>

Young, Scrappy, and Hungry

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:33:07 +0000

Young, Scrappy, and Hungry Katarina Benson Tue, 03/24/2026 - 13:33

Cybersecurity engineering major Fatima Majid is certainly not throwing away her shot. The senior has made it her mission to take advantage of every opportunity George Mason has to offer.

After transferring from Northern Virginia Community College and struggling in her first semesters, Majid persevered, raising her GPA and earning a spot on the Dean’s List. She says her professors were extremely supportive during that time. They helped boost her confidence to keep her in the program.

Majid says one professor especially kept her motivated. “In a class of 90 people, he pointed me out and said, ‘That girl can code! If you have any issues with the work, she can help.’ It changed my mentality. I realized that I could actually do it.”

Soon she was ready to take on the competition. When she joined her first hackathon—the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) cyber competition—she thought it was a George Mason student event. Instead, she discovered she was going against professionals in the defense contract industry.

Majid is a senior and a Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Innovation Scholar. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

In the end, she was the only one-person team (and the only student) to place in the top 10, placing 9th out of 51 teams with a project designed to protect against miniature drone strikes like the one that Ukraine launched on Russia.

Majid’s lightbulb moment for her SkyEyes project came at a traffic light while considering the significant network of traffic cameras in the commonwealth. SkyEyes applies an artificial intelligence (AI) model to the live feed of the Virginia 511 camera network, which provides real-time traffic information to citizens and transportation officials. Majid was able to demonstrate how a low-cost, AI-enabled surveillance layer could differentiate threats from non-threats by employing geofencing logic to define safe versus threat zones around sensitive sites. 

“I understand how drones work because of the work I’ve done at George Mason’s MIX—and since I know how to build it, I also know how to jam it,” she says.

Majid also credits her summer in Richmond at the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s undergraduate policy program as giving her confidence and exposure to how government works.  

Majid says the strong showing at the NDIA competition gave her tremendous exposure to influential professional contacts. She fielded several questions about her simulation and future professional plans from a man she only later realized was Retired Brigadier General and NDIA Executive Vice President Guy Walsh. 

“Because he showed interest, after he walked away, a crowd of people gathered around to ask me questions. It was very validating.” 

Now in her senior year, Majid is a Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Innovation Scholar and part of a statewide program that comes with a $2,000 professional development award and training in cyber start-ups.

Eventually, she says that she wants to find a job that’s exciting and fun and isn’t ruling anything out. “I’m taking a bite of everything and seeing where I want to go. I’ve seen the potential that I have.”

One way Majid takes advantage of every opportunity available is by taking the shuttle from the Fairfax Campus to Mason Square any time an event is offered at Fuse. “I just walk up and start talking to people,” she says.

Mastering networking and making connections are just a small part of Majid’s range of skills. “Some people think that I get lucky, and these opportunities just fall into my lap,” she says. “But I tell them that they are there for other students to find too. They don’t see all of the effort I put in to do more and be better—that is my goal as a student.”

They train, compete, and perform at the highest levels—only their arena is cybersecurity. Like top athletes, George Mason's cyber-focused students prove themselves when the pressure is on.

Read more from this series >>

Playing Through

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:31:36 +0000

Playing Through Katarina Benson Tue, 03/24/2026 - 13:31

Nhat Le has always loved puzzles. From Rubik's Cubes to role-playing games, he plays them all. Now a graduate student in cyber security engineering at George Mason, Le came to his studies “through the back door,” as a hacker might say.

Le moved to the United States from Vietnam six years ago for his senior year of high school. While studying computer science at New Mexico State University for his bachelor’s degree, he was bored and lost in his Linux administration class. To make it easier, he went online to learn in a more fun and hands-on way.

“I found this website, OverTheWire, that had a game called Bandit, where I had to perform some Linux puzzle tests to get the password to unlock the next level,” he says. “It was so much like gaming that I wanted to learn more. The curiosity, creativity, and puzzle solving hooked me right away.”

Le is pursuing his master's in cyber security engineering. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

He didn’t know it, but that was his first step into cybersecurity. It paved the way for his entry into capture the flag (CTF) competitions. He entered his first as a junior in 2022.

“Capture the flag competitions are usually a way for cybersecurity people to practice their skills,” says Le. “Most people discover cybersecurity first, then find out about CTF as a way to improve. For me, it was the other way around.”

His game training taught him cybersecurity techniques that let him play his way into a new field of study. So when the time came for his master’s degree, he was drawn to George Mason for its stellar top five cybersecurity program ranking. While here, he’s mostly moved on from CTF competitions to practice the real thing. However, in July 2025, Le was invited to the elite Country-to-Country Capture the Flag finals held in Boston in July. Le was one of five finalists from George Mason and 100 finalists worldwide.

Now, he’s obsessed with application security, which involves finding out how web applications work and trying to reverse engineer them. He also loves penetration testing, or going into other people’s programs and trying to disable them—with their permission and in the name of making them better, of course.

“I love breaking things,” says Le. “I want to know what’s happening under the hood, understand how it works, and figure out how to break it.” Normally, this would be illegal, but when Le does it, it’s through a program called Bug Bounty Hunter. App creators submit their software so that hackers like Le, known as white-hat hackers, can try to expose holes in their security.

His next focus? Learning how to fix what he breaks.

They train, compete, and perform at the highest levels—only their arena is cybersecurity. Like top athletes, George Mason's cyber-focused students prove themselves when the pressure is on.

Read more from this series >>

The Eye of the Tiger

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:30:25 +0000

The Eye of the Tiger Katarina Benson Tue, 03/24/2026 - 13:30

Computer science major Noah Kabiri is no stranger to high-adrenaline competition. As an elite coder and winner of hackathons in only his second year at George Mason, this ambitious sophomore performs a balancing act on par with elite college athletes training to go pro.

Kabiri’s passion for cybersecurity started early thanks to television. “I remember always seeing the cool hacker guy on the TV shows,” he says. “He's typing on his computer and doesn't stop. As a kid I was like, I want to be that guy!”

Growing up in Springfield, Virginia, Kabiri started teaching himself to code in elementary school, before he really understood what coding was. Then in sixth grade, he tried to make his first app—a calculator in C++. “This app was so bad. I wasn't good at coding so you could only add two numbers at a time, and there was no order of operations,” he says with a laugh.

Kabiri is a sophomore CS major. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

At Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Kabiri was exposed to hands-on computer work and niche fields. He continued to teach himself as well, so his skills were developed enough to land a software development internship at Seamless Migration toward the end of his senior year in high school.

Now Kabiri attends as many competitions and conferences as possible. His hackathon team, which included fellow students from the College of Engineering and Computing recently took third place at a National Defense Industrial Association hackathon, where they addressed a need in the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance category.  

Their product was a SaaS (software as a service) that takes footage and video feeds from anywhere—drone surveillance video, infrared, geospatial satellite images, security cameras, body cams, and more—and analyzes the environment. While the competition only looks for proof of concept over the 72-hour project period, Kabiri believes that he can take the project forward.

“I have this really high drive to be successful and want to make as much out of this experience as possible,” says Kabiri. “I want to be as well-rounded as possible, but that means I’m working 40 hours a week along with school.”

For Kabiri, this means taking care that he doesn’t burn out. To help avoid that, he moves his body regularly and takes time to decompress. He does this by attending 6:30 a.m. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes and weekly knitting club meetings—he’s currently making a blanket. “My evenings are very hectic, so I like getting up early to move.”

While his rigorous time management and the discipline of a professional athlete allow him to pursue his goals, Kabiri admits that it leaves him little time for anything else. “I have to stay off of social media, and I miss some things I want to do. I haven’t watched Netflix in forever.”

Since Kabiri is only in his second year of college, he is still figuring out his direction. He would like to use his skills for good–possibly cybersecurity or defense. He likes making things that add value to people’s lives or that they enjoy using. For now, he keeps strengthening his skills and his eye on the prize.

They train, compete, and perform at the highest levels—only their arena is cybersecurity. Like top athletes, George Mason's cyber-focused students prove themselves when the pressure is on.

Read more from this series >>

From the Classroom to the Community: Cybersecurity in Action

Katarina Benson — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:38:31 +0000

From the Classroom to the Community: Cybersecurity in Action Katarina Benson Thu, 03/19/2026 - 13:38

91�� and Howard University have launched a new collaborative effort to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) professionals while strengthening the digital resilience of community based organizations.

From left, Cybersecurity + AI Clinic students Courtney Gill, Isabella Floyd, Michael Niebergall, and Sam Roland working with instructor Ali Jessani. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The Cybersecurity + AI Clinic, a partnership between the National Security Institute’s Cyber and Tech Center (NSI CTC) at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School and the Howard University School of Business (HUSB), welcomed its first cohort earlier this academic year.

The one-year program blends rigorous academic preparation with hands-on service, giving students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world cybersecurity challenges. Supported by a seven-year, $1 million grant from Google, George Mason and Howard were selected to establish a cybersecurity and AI clinic that provides free support to nonprofits, local agencies, and other under-resourced organizations. As a member of the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, the program engages in faculty-level collaboration, shared learning, and ongoing development of best practices at the intersection of cybersecurity, law, and technology.

“AI is transforming every corner of our national security landscape, and cybersecurity has long been a critical concern for enterprises large and small,” says Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of NSI and principal investigator for the clinic. “We need leaders who understand both technology and policy and can apply them in practice. That is exactly what the clinic enables students to do. By tackling real challenges faced by our clients, students gain the hands-on, innovation-driven experience needed to lead in a world where cyber and AI touch every part of our society.”

The inaugural class includes 14 students: eight law students from George Mason and six HUSB undergraduates with a mix of computer science and mechanical engineering backgrounds. The cohort reflects George Mason’s bold educational approach to the interdisciplinary nature of today’s cybersecurity and AI landscape by bringing together students who can analyze problems from technical, legal, and policy perspectives.

Clinic instructor Kathryn Ciano Mauler leads a class discussion. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

In the fall 2025 semester, Howard students traveled to George Mason’s Fuse at Mason Square to attend class alongside Scalia Law students and gained a strong foundation in cybersecurity, risk management, data governance and privacy, and AI concepts. Two instructors—Kathryn Ciano Mauler, a product counsel attorney at Google, and Ali Jessani, counsel at WilmerHale in privacy, cybersecurity, and AI law—guided the students through their coursework.

“This clinic is truly a unique experience for students because it provides them with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom in a real-world setting,” says Jessani. “While some classes offer doctrinal lessons and others offer applied skills, this clinic provides students with both.”

“Here they learn not just the nuts and bolts of privacy and cybersecurity, but also the experience of speaking with clients, thinking on the spot, and tying together diverse experiences and issue spotting to provide real-world value in a supervised setting,” says Mauler. “The clinic classroom has brought together a diversity of experience across undergrad and law school students and their perspectives in a rich discussion.”

In addition to coursework, the students have gained professional skills essential for client-facing work, including learning how to conduct client interviews, present technical findings to nontechnical audiences, navigate project challenges, and draft written Recommendations.

Scalia Law School student Mike Niebergall says he applied to the clinic because he’s interested in how technologies like AI will affect the entertainment industry and the commercial world in general. “I have a background in music. With no cybersecurity or computer science background, the clinic has been incredibly eye-opening and has taught me how cybersecurity practices apply across many different spaces.”

“I wanted to gain experience learning how to work within legal frameworks to protect business operations and consumers with the rise of AI usage,” says HUSB undergraduate Courtney Gill. “As a senior at Howard University interested in practicing law, [I felt] the class simulated what it feels like to be in a law school classroom.”

“While many of my law classes asked me to consider harms that had already occurred, the clinic challenged me to think about managing risk and preventing legal liability from arising in the first place,” says Scalia Law School student Liam McGettigan. “For anyone interested in learning how to run an organization—and understanding the unavoidable challenges of the digital world—the Cybersecurity + AI Clinic should be on your radar.”

Some students, like law student Tate Kaufman, have been able to immediately apply what they learned in class. “The clinic has provided an invaluable look into the work of cyberlaw practitioners, while enabling me to stay on the cutting edge of AI law,” says Kaufman. “Knowledge from the clinic directly translated to my work as a clerk on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where I worked on issues relating to the emergence of generative AI and copyright.”

Entering the spring semester, students transitioned to hands-on client work, a core part of the clinic’s community-focused mission. Working in small groups of three to four students, and supported by expert instructors, each group is partnered with a client organization that may not have the expertise or resources to manage cybersecurity risk on their own.

The first group of clients includes the Arlington Free Clinic, Washington, D.C.-based Bread for the City, Center for Child and Family Advocacy in Arlington, and the charter school Digital Pioneer Academy.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

NSI CTC continues to welcome new partners who are looking to strengthen their cybersecurity resilience, and the clinic has a goal of increasing the number of clients served each clinic cycle.

Under the guidance of instructors and the leadership of Clinic Director Jessica Jones, students are providing a range of services for their clients, including conducting cybersecurity risk assessments; mapping organizational vulnerabilities; reviewing or drafting cybersecurity, AI-use, or incident response policies; and providing practical recommendations tailored to strengthen an organization’s overall security posture.

In May, students formally present their findings and recommendations to client representatives. They also present to their fellow students, with each group highlighting project results, sharing real-world challenges they faced, and reflecting on the lessons learned throughout their client engagements. The clinic’s year-long experience is a core part of preparing students for careers in a cyber field that increasingly demands interdisciplinary understanding and practical experience.

Admission to the program is competitive. Howard students apply as rising seniors, and George Mason students currently come from the law school. Applicants are not required to have prior cybersecurity experience—just interest and a willingness to engage.

All participants receive a stipend, helping ensure that financial barriers do not prevent qualified students from participating.

Looking ahead, the clinic anticipates welcoming students from a broader range of disciplines and additional George Mason programs, such as public policy, engineering, and business, to strengthen the interdisciplinary preparation needed to address evolving cyber and AI challenges.

On the Front Lines of Defense and Security Research

Katarina Benson — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:30:42 +0000

On the Front Lines of Defense and Security Research Katarina Benson Thu, 03/19/2026 - 13:30

91�� faculty are leading groundbreaking work in defense and security research, bringing deep expertise from across the university’s colleges, schools, and specialized centers to address some of the nation’s most pressing security challenges.

Faculty leaders in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), College of Science, Antonin Scalia Law School, and the Schar School of Policy and Government—together with researchers in the Center for Secure Information Systems and the C4I and Cyber Center—are advancing capabilities in integrated sensing, advanced communications, cybersecurity, space, and AI.

The ISAC Strategy Summit brought more than 300 people to Fuse at Mason Square. Photo by Jon Fleming Photography

These efforts position George Mason as a vital partner to the U.S. Department of War (DOW) and the broader national security community, with George Mason faculty emerging as national leaders in defense and security research. Their work is supported by administrative enhancements in secure computing, facilities, and infrastructure at Fuse at Mason Square, creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives.

Supporting and amplifying this faculty-driven innovation is Sarah Campbell, MS International Commerce and Policy ’11, associate vice president of research for defense and security initiatives. Campbell ensures George Mason faculty expertise is linked to the right national partners by guiding collaborations and forging relationships with such influential organizations as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), MITRE, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the Office of the Secretary of War’s Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E).

“George Mason has the talent, the technology, and the partnerships to be a driving force in advancing our nation’s defense capabilities,” Campbell says. “By working at the intersection of research, innovation, and application, we are paving the way as pioneers in the academic space by working with the government and industry to build solutions that matter.”

Faculty contributions are already shaping national strategy. In 2024, George Mason secured an inaugural DOW contract to convene the first-ever academic workshop on integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), a transformative field that merges advanced sensing technologies with next-generation communications.

Photo by Getty Images

Led by Campbell, members of CEC faculty, George Mason’s Rapid Prototyping Research Center, and Virginia’s Commonwealth Cyber Initiative worked alongside government and industry experts to identify national research priorities to produce a report that is featured on the USD R&E website and is informing current federal strategy.

That momentum carried into 2025, when the university hosted a 300-person ISAC Strategy Summit. Faculty members from across disciplines showcased expertise that aligned with the Pentagon’s future generation wireless and Golden Dome missile defense initiatives, which aim to integrate sensing, communications, and defense systems into a unified protective architecture.

The event—supported by corporate partners such as Nokia, AT&T, Ericsson, and Lockheed Martin—underscored George Mason’s ability to convene industry leaders and highlight faculty capabilities.

“There is a serious gap in the ISAC talent pipeline— not only is there no dedicated curriculum or formal field of study, but the knowledge base is scattered across separate disciplines that need to be integrated,”

Campbell says. “This creates an opportunity for George Mason to build an interdisciplinary program that develops the next generation of ISAC experts, creating a community for this nascent technology. Our partnership with the War Department and the work that follows highlight the university’s strength across the full spectrum of sensing capabilities.”

As for the future, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact Andre Marshall emphasizes the importance of George Mason’s commitment to investing in faculty-led research in integrated sensing, advanced communications, AI, space, and cybersecurity, and positioning faculty members as national thought leaders.

He noted that by deepening collaborations with federal laboratories, strengthening partnerships with defense contractors, and pursuing major research investments, the university will remain both a pioneer and a leader in advancing critical defense priorities.

“George Mason’s Defense and Security Program exemplifies the university’s ability to align world-class research with national priorities,” Marshall says. “These initiatives not only expand our impact in defense and security but also elevate the university’s reputation as a premier research institution delivering solutions that matter.”

Photo by Getty Images

Marshall says what sets George Mason apart is its ability to bring interdisciplinary teams together— engineers, data scientists, policy experts, and security specialists—to boldly take on the complex challenges facing the United States. Marshall also leads the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI), which champions these interdisciplinary teams as a way of tackling humanity’s ultimate grand challenge— securing a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous world.

GCI is a comprehensive research framework, backed by an initial five-year, $15 million investment, to align university resources, faculty expertise, and educational programs around six interconnected solutions, including driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure.

“As we engage with initiatives like ISAC and the Golden Dome, we are preparing to shape the next generation of defense technologies, while also training the workforce that will carry them forward,” Marshall says.

A CEC faculty team secured a $3.9 million grant in early 2025 from the National Science Foundation’s CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program to support cybersecurity students who intend to work for the U.S. government after graduation.
With that funding, George Mason’s new Empowering American Government Leadership in Security through Education (EAGLE) Program will support 12 under-graduate students, nine graduate students, and two doctoral students over the next five years, according to the program’s principal investigator Kun Sun.

In addition to financial support, each scholarship recipient is paired with a faculty advisor and will complete a summer internship with one of the government agencies that recruit from CyberCorps SFS programs. EAGLE is an ambitious initiative aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity workforce within U.S. government agencies, such as the National Security Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, and military branches, to address the critical need for skilled professionals in the field.

George Mason is also working with Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) via cooperative agreements for workforce development activities and technical exchange and research development on complex naval warfare systems, including enhancing cybersecurity information and operations capabilities and leveraging AI to help identify and mitigate threats.

The partnership is connecting George Mason undergraduate and graduate students to real-world DOW projects and creating a talent pipeline for the U.S. Navy. George Mason research faculty exchange technical knowledge with NSWCDD staf and have presented guest lectures at the division. In addition, Liza Wilson Durant, George Mason’s associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement, and a team of George Mason systems engineering and cyber security engineering faculty developed a summer course related to cybersecurity for NSWCDD personnel.

“This is the type of innovation ecosystem that ensures George Mason remains a trusted partner for years to come,” says Marshall.

Learn more about the Grand Challenge Initiative

Learn more about ISAC

The Power of Accidental Collisions

Katarina Benson — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:37:43 +0000

The Power of Accidental Collisions Katarina Benson Thu, 03/19/2026 - 12:37

When Ali Reza Manouchehri, BA Philosophy ’99, arrived at 91�� as an undergraduate, he couldn’t know that he would start what would become one of the region’s most dynamic technology companies in his residence hall room.

Manouchehri founded MetroStar in 1999 with fellow Patriots Robert J. Santos, BA International Relations ’99, and Pirooz Javan, BS Systems Engineering ’02.

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, MetroStar is a digital transformation powerhouse of more than 500 engineers, designers, and innovators that is known for blending technical mastery with human-centered design—an approach that can be traced back to Manouchehri’s years at George Mason.

“George Mason gave us more than degrees,” he says. “It gave us a launchpad.”

Manouchehri. Photo provided

Manouchehri remembers the chance encounter that became a defining moment for the company: a dorm-room reshuffle that resulted in him becoming roommates with Santos.

“That move changed everything,” he says. “We bonded quickly, exchanged ideas constantly, and soon we began building what would later become MetroStar.” Central to Manouchehri’s George Mason experience was the university’s culture that encourages academic curiosity and diverse perspectives. The blending of disciplines didn’t just shape his thinking—it shaped the DNA of MetroStar itself.

Today, he thinks often about that “accidental collision” of perspectives that sparked a company. And he’s working to recreate those kinds of moments for the next generation. For more than two decades, the company has stayed connected to the university through internships, sponsored courses, hackathons, and other events, and recently embarked on a three year partnership with George Mason (see story on page 10).

“What excites us most is creating structured opportunities for students to collaborate across disciplines and experience what we once did organically,” says Manouchehri. “We hope to spark those chance meetings, innovative projects, and unexpected friendships that can turn into start-ups, solutions, and careers.”

As a leader, Manouchehri has earned wide recognition, including the 2023 Executive of the Year award at the Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards and WashingtonExec’s 2022 Chief Executive Officer Award. He also serves as cofounder and chair of the software company Zoomph. Still, he remains grounded in the philosophy that launched his journey: stay curious.

It’s the advice he offers to current George Mason students. “If you’re studying AI, take a philosophy course. If you’re an engineer, take a business class. Meet people outside your major,” he urges. “Some of the greatest breakthroughs come from the intersection of disciplines.”

And at a university where tackling old problems in new ways is part of the ethos, the next key start-up really could be right down the hall.

Patriots named co-regular season champions, earning 2nd seed in A-10 Tournament

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:20:51 +0000

Patriots named co-regular season champions, earning 2nd seed in A-10 Tournament Katarina Benson Mon, 03/02/2026 - 13:20

The George Mason women's basketball team has captured a share of the 2026 Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship—the first regular season conference title in program history. The Patriots closed league play with a program-best 16-2 conference record, marking their strongest Atlantic 10 ever.

George Mason shares the title with Rhode Island after both teams finished atop the A-10 standings. The 16 conference victories set a new school record and cap one of the most successful seasons in program history. The championship also marks another major milestone, as the Patriots secure their first-ever stretch of three consecutive 20-win seasons—a testament to the sustained excellence being built at George Mason.

The Mason women's team finished with their best record. Photo by Matt Durisko/Magnolia Media PA

By virtue of their regular season finish and conference tie-breaker protocol, the Patriots have earned the No. 2 seed and a double-bye in the 2026 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship. George Mason will open tournament play in the quarterfinal round on Friday, March 6, at 5 p.m. on USA Network, facing either No. 7 Dayton or No. 10 George Washington.

Join the Patriots at the Henrico Sports & Events Center as they look to repeat as Atlantic 10 Champions during the 2026 Atlantic 10 Tournament. Tickets are available through the George Mason Ticket Office; visit Ticketmaster or call the Athletic Ticket Office at 703-993-3270.

Need a ride? Hop on the fan bus and join the pregame pep rally inside the arena one hour before each game. To save your seat on the fan bus, email Jeff Danaher. Register for the pregame pep rally through the George Mason Alumni Association.

Learn more about the Mason Women's Basketball Team

Meet the Mason Nation: Gregg Black

lclarkg — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:20:27 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Gregg Black lclarkg Tue, 02/10/2026 - 10:20

Gregg Black

Job: Director of Emergency Management and Fire Safety, Risk, Safety, and Resilience

As director of emergency management and fire safety in the Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience, Gregg Black helps George Mason prepare for the unexpected. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

When an emergency happens, preparation is key. Fire drills, earthquake drills, emergency preparedness training—all these actions help the community prepare to take quick action in a crisis.

For most people, planning for an emergency might only come to mind every now and then. But some 91�� employees spend each day preparing for emergencies and planning how to protect the Mason Nation in a crisis.

As director of emergency management and fire safety in the Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience, Gregg Black, MPA’13, helps the university plan for the unexpected.

Learning on the Job: Black first arrived at George Mason as a graduate student in 2010. Hoping to find a part-time job on campus, he sent his resume to David Farris, MBA ’07, PhD Education ’16, now the associate vice president of Risk, Safety, and Resilience. Black was hired and eventually got a full-time job in the Fire Safety Office while still working toward his MPA.

Not a Drill: In fire safety, Black managed compliance and ensured that the program was keeping records of inspections and repairing any deficiencies. Black continued his education by pursuing certifications in the fire safety industry.

“I am particularly proud of how far the Fire Safety program has come,” Black said. “When I started, everything was paper-based, and most inspections were completed by contractors.”

Today, the program has a completely digitized records management system, and most inspections are performed in-house.

Making the Save: George Mason’s Fire Safety program is regularly one of the highest-regarded programs in the commonwealth. “This was all done while saving money,” Black said. “University leaders are to credit with the investment and trust in employees to improve programs.”

Best Laid Plans: Black’s role expanded to include both Fire Safety and Emergency Management in 2019. The timing was critical—it happened right before the university needed to respond to the crisis of a generation.

“Just as I was getting both programs to a steady level, COVID happened and dramatically changed everything,” Black said.

For the next couple years, he spent most of his time and effort on the university’s COVID response.

Shifting Gears: “I did a lot of planning and logistical support for bringing students back to campus, then quickly shifted to planning and logistical support for the COVID test sites, and then transitioned to the COVID vaccine operation,” Black said.

Protecting Patriots: George Mason’s response to managing the COVID pandemic gained national recognition. Establishing an in-house surveillance testing program, the university administered more than 270,000 COVID tests to students, faculty, and staff between fall 2020 and spring 2022. This helped the university quickly identify and isolate positive COVID cases, mitigating outbreaks in the campus community.

When the COVID vaccine became available, more than 120,000 vaccinations were administered on campus to students, employees, and community members in partnership with the local health department.

Never a Dull Moment: The university’s response to COVID was an all-hands endeavor. Working with a range of people across campuses is what Black likes best about his job. In a single day, Black can go from discussing and coordinating security for an event, to partnering with Facilities and Campus Operations on strategies to repair fire safety systems, to planning how George Mason would be a part of a statewide sheltering plan, to coordinating the response to the next snowstorm.

“The Mason Nation is filled with talented and passionate people, and exposure to all of them has taught me so many things.”

Tomorrow’s Problem: One of the greatest challenges of his job, according to Black, is the unknown of the future. In addition to natural disasters, global conflicts and unrest can also affect the lives of George Mason students, faculty, and staff, and campus operations. “Despite these unexpected events, we have built a strong foundation of emergency plans and relationships that have allowed us to respond effectively,” Black said.

Safe and Secure: All that preparation grants him a chance to rest easier. Outside work, Black leads his son’s Trail Life troop, volunteers at church, supports his daughter in gymnastics, and enjoys local Virginia wine with his wife. He also tends to their flock of chickens and two golden retrievers.

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