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Catherine Read is the first woman and first Mason graduate (BA government and politics ’84) to be mayor of Fairfax City, Va., the university’s hometown, and she isn’t shy about touting a university she says helped teach her how to think critically. Want to know why it’s good to “disrupt the system,” why it’s important to get more women into policy-making decisions, and why our educational system doesn’t reward bold ideas? Read tells you.

91���� students are working with the U.S. Department of State to find out what motivates students to study abroad, specifically in Southeast South Korea.

Where do first-time elected leaders turn for learning the ropes of governing? The Schar School’s Regional Elected Leaders Initiative teaches them not only how to govern but how to unite for the greater public good.

Schar School junior Minh-Dy Pham and senior Kalkidan Zewdu received the Partnership for Public Service Award, recognizing young leaders in federal government.

A Mason graduate paid for his Schar School master’s degree by working at Mason—as a policeman. Along the way, Detective Ryan Grant learned research skills while earning the trust of the Patriot community.