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Federico Frum, BA Art and Visual Technology ’05, believes in the power of art to bring people together. Known professionally as MasPaz—Spanish for “more peace”—Frum has spent his career fusing activism and creativity, using bold street murals, community engagement, and cultural storytelling to spread a message of unity.

John Kotcher has been named interim director of the Center for Climate Change Communication. Kotcher succeeds Edward Maibach, the center’s founding director and Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, who is retiring after 18 years.

After interning and working at key institutions in Washington, D.C., Schar School master’s graduate Brandon Ledford discovered local government was a more satisfying alternative. He says others could as well.

91���� economics professor and alumnus Tyler Cowen, BS Economics ’83, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in philanthropy.

Felicia Baez-Smith, MPH ’19,has built a powerful public health career rooted in community impact, leading initiatives from opioid overdose prevention to pandemic response and mental health advocacy. Recently named to George Mason’s 2025 Forty Under 40 by the Black Alumni Chapter, her journey—from student advocate to statewide public health leader—shows how one person’s dedication can transform systems, uplift communities, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

The state budget, signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on May 2, represents the Commonwealth of Virginia’s continued investment in 91���� as the state’s leading university for access, innovation and upward mobility. The funding goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Randy Escalera, a freshman computer science student, received the first scholarship from the Jimmy Chiou Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship, created by CEC partner organization Metron, Incorporated, with a $50,000 gift.

From her small hometown of Ruther Glen, Virginia, to the bright lights of New York City, Gilda Squire, BA Communication ’95, has forged a career that has led Squire from the federal government through Wall Street, into book publishing, and finally landing as a powerhouse talent manager for some of entertainment’s brightest stars.

The Costello College of Business at 91���� will be holding its Spring 2025 Degree Celebration on Friday, May 16, 2025. This year’s degree celebration will include remarks from the President and CEO of NABA Inc., Guylaine Saint Juste, BA International Relations ’94.

Only five years after graduating from 91����, alumna Rhyan Elliott, Film and Video Studies ’20, was recently a production supervisor for the five-time Oscar-winning film Anora (2024), directed by Sean Baker.