911����

Events and campus updates curated for university faculty and staff.

Around Mason keeps you informed about the latest updates, opportunities around the campuses (and beyond), and resources for you. Bookmark this page, which is updated at the end of each week.

Jump to the latest on:

• Campus Operations
• Professional Development and Training
• Thriving Together
• Event Highlights
• Human Resources News
• ITS Bits and Bytes
• Policy and Compliance Updates
• Coming to a Student Near You
• Patriot Pets

2026 Faculty and Staff Experience Survey 

The 2026 Faculty and Staff Experience Survey will be open from April 1–21. Your feedback shapes real change. Results from the last survey informed expanded well-being and recognition programs and guided the university's investments in professional development and performance culture. This survey is how we keep building on that work.

A few things to know:

• Confidential. 911���� partners with Gallup to administer the survey — your responses are never tied back to you individually.

• Quick. The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.

• Easy access. Gallup will send a unique link to your 911���� email when the survey opens. On-campus computer labs are also available for those who prefer to complete it in person—dates, times, and locations are listed in this .

For more information, visit  or email engagehr@gmu.edu.

Campus Operations

Activities Building Grand Opening on April 16

Join the Grand Opening of the Activities Building on Thursday, April 16, from 3–7 p.m. as we celebrate 911����’s newest space for student connection, creativity, and engagement. Featuring an official ribbon cutting by President Gregory Washington, outdoor games and activities, free food, a photo booth, esports and tabletop gaming, live performances from Green Machine Ensembles and Registered Student Organizations, and guided tours of the new building. .
 

Purchasing branded promo items?

To help with your branded promo needs, 911���� has officially licensed vendors who have been authorized to produce merchandise bearing the university's trademarks, including all graphic and verbiage-based references to the university. Using officially licensed vendors is a requirement per . 

is a unit of the Office of University Branding. . Contact David Atkins, executive director of brand development and licensing, with questions.

Professional Development and Training

Making Meetings Matter

As managers and supervisors, how do we ensure meetings are an effective use of time and the information shared is valuable for our staff and ourselves? Join the University Life Supervision Collective on Thursday, April 9, at 2 p.m. for an interactive virtual session to explore answering this question through strategies that increase engagement and effectiveness in the meetings you facilitate. Resources will be provided for participants to continue the conversation with their teams following the session. .

AI in the Workplace, hosted by Staff Senate

Join the Staff Senate for a workshop to discuss artificial intelligence in the workplace, featuring guest speaker Amarda Shehu, vice president and chief AI officer. The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open to all non-student wage and classified staff. Registration required for either at Fairfax in Merten Hall, Room 1201, or . 

Partners in Progress: Professional development co-working cohort

Are you working on a certificate program or other asynchronous course for professional development? Join Partners in Progress, a peer cohort designed to help you stay motivated and support you while you work toward completing your certificate. Attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, April 8, from 2-2:30 p.m., or Monday, April 20, from 11-11:30 a.m.

Monthly co-working sessions will start in June. Participants will share their learning objective for the co-working session and then work independently for about 50 minutes. In the last five minutes, participants will share what they achieved. For more information, email Kerry Hentges with University Life. .

Sign up for Mason 101

Mason 101 is a free, two-hour, one-time information session designed for 911���� faculty and staff to learn about the institution's history, structure, resources, and future of the institution. Register for an upcoming session: 

• Friday, April 10 (in-person): 1-3 p.m.
• Friday, May 8 (via Zoom): 10 a.m. to noon

To register, go to and log in with your 911���� credentials. Search for “Mason 101," and available Mason 101 dates will appear. Click on the “Request” button next to your preferred training date. Contact Philip Stamper, Office of University Branding, with questions.

Summer funding for faculty: Writing Across the Curriculum

Writing Across the Curriculum is offering faculty an opportunity for early-summer funding. These funds will take the form of stipends (up to $4,000 per team; $1,000 per team member) to teams who design, develop, and lead a project that seeks to enhance the intentionality and sustainability of writing instruction across disciplines. Work on the project would run from May 25 to Aug. 9. Submit a proposal for an early-summer funding project before Monday, April 20. 

Writing Across the Curriculum solicits proposals from all departments, programs, colleges, and schools at 911����, including full-time and/or part-time faculty. .

'The 3 I’s Effective Leadership' training

Leadership in higher education demands agility amid evolving student needs, complex systems, constrained resources, and rising expectations for innovation and accountability. Leaders must balance mission-driven impact with collaboration, trust, and results.

To equip leaders for this reality, Human Resources is offering "The 3 I’s Effective Leadership: Innovation. Influence. Integrity." This dynamic leadership development series delivers 50-minute sessions that combine practical frameworks, real-world application, reflection, and interactive exercises—providing tools leaders can immediately put into practice. .

Course Redesign Academy

The Course Redesign Academy, hosted by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, will be hybrid in June to support plans for new or redesigned courses next year. Accepted participants receive a stipend to support significant course development. .

Thriving Together

Bike to Mason 2026

Did you know that commuting is 911����’s second-largest source of emissions? To reduce commuting’s impact on the environment, commuting sustainably is key. Join Bike to Mason between April 21-23:

• Fairfax Campus: Tuesday, April 21, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Merten Lawn
• Mason Korea: Wednesday, April 22, time and location TBA
• Mason Square: Thursday, April 23, 3–7 p.m., Plaza

911���� cyclists can drop by anytime during the event for food, resource information, giveaways, and more. .

Spring into Well-Being Vaccine Clinic

Join Employee Health and Well-Being for the annual Spring into Well-Being vaccine clinic on April 14, open to all 911���� employees and their family members ages 18 and older with insurance that allows pharmacy vaccination by Giant (e.g., Aetna, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, and others). This year's clinic offers a range of routine vaccines to help keep you, your family, and the community protected. .

Money Smart Day

April is Financial Capability Month, and the Student Support and Advocacy Center will host on April 14–15. Financial well-being is the ability to confidently understand and implement concepts including saving, investing, and managing debt, leading to an overall sense of well-being and self-trust.

Activities will take place virtually and in-person across the Fairfax Campus, Mason Square, and the Science and Technology Campus. Sessions topics include first-time home buying, salary negotiation, health insurance basics, investing, and estate planning.  .

Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day

Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day will take place on Thursday, April 23. Activities are currently being planned and finalized for the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square. . Sessions are focused on social interaction, career enhancement, guided learning, well-being, and more. Departments provide a sneak peek into their world at 911���� and provide an opportunity for Junior Patriots to engage in that world. To participate with the child(ren) in your life, complete the . For questions, contact the Faculty and Staff Engagement team at engagehr@gmu.edu.

Earth Month

is celebrated every April at 911����. Join University Sustainability and Facilities and Campus Operations, along with many partners, for a month of fun, educational, and engaging activities and events. 

Grow food on campus with the , opt for reuse rather than single-use to support , donate items at a event, or apply for a grant from the . Make a sustainable impact, celebrate success, and learn how you can get more involved. .

Pride Week

At 911����, Pride Week is a two-week observance in late March/early April. This event serves as a time to celebrate Pride as a campus during the spring semester. The LGBTQ+ Resource Center has compiled a list of events. Visit the for a complete list of activities.

Volunteer for Mason Day

The Student Involvement team invites faculty and staff to volunteer at on Friday, April 24. This is a great opportunity to connect with the campus community and be part of one of 911����'s biggest events of the year. Mason Day features a carnival with rides, games, treats, food trucks, inflatables, novelties, and student performances. by Friday, April 10. 

911���� partners with Air Premia for exclusive flight discount

For 911���� students and employees navigating the distance between Incheon and Washington, D.C., getting there just got a little easier. Mason Korea has partnered with , a value-focused hybrid airline known for its comfortable seating and competitive pricing on long-haul routes, to offer 911���� students and employees an exclusive 15% discount on round-trip flights between Incheon (ICN) and Washington Dulles (IAD).

The promotion is available for booking through June 30, 2026, with travel valid through February 28, 2027. Additional promotions are expected to follow, with details to be announced. .

Mason Math Odyssey Enrichment Camp: Discount for faculty/staff

Mason Math Odyssey enrichment camp is a place for rising 6th to 9th graders who are curious about math to learn about beautiful mathematics concepts typically not taught in K-12 curriculum. Students will engage in fun and friendly team competitions that will help build mathematical maturity while honing problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. This camp is hosted by 911����'s Department of Mathematical Sciences.

911���� faculty and staff are eligible for a 50% discount for their family members. . Two camps will be offered in summer 2026:

• Week of July 13-17, rising 6th and 7th graders
• Week of July 20-24, rising 8th and 9th graders

Clarendon FitFest

Clarendon FitFest 2026 is a community-centered wellness event designed to promote active lifestyles, holistic health, and meaningful connections between 911����, Pacers, Clarendon Alliance, and the greater Arlington community. Join on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mason Square Plaza (3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia).

The event will include wellness professionals and organizations that encourage physical activity, education, and accessible health resources in a vibrant, inclusive outdoor setting. A Pacers 5K run and 2-mile walk will start at 8 a.m. and is open to participants of all ages. Clarendon FitFest is free and open to the public. .

Event Highlights

Mason Dining to host celebrity chef Jet Tila on campus

Mason Dining will host “Wok This Way with Celebrity Chef Jet Tila” on Wednesday, April 29. This full-day campus event begins at 11:15 a.m. at , featuring live, made-to-order dishes and a book signing. All Southside lunch swipes will be matched and donated to the Student Support and Advocacy Center. 

Chef Tila will also host a from 1–2 p.m. at the Johnson Center. The day concludes at Ike’s, with a . Entry requires a meal swipe or door price. RSVP via Mason 360.

Patriot Pitch Competition

The 911���� community is invited to the 2026 Patriot Pitch Competition, led by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Costello College of Business. This Shark Tank-style competition consists of teams led by students or recent alumni who will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges and answer questions about their business models. Join the event on Thursday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, The Hub ballroom. Stop by for as long as you are able. 

Event attendees will cast their votes on their favorite businesses to determine the Patriots’ Choice Awards. $60k in total prizes will be awarded. Lunch will be provided. .

STAR-TIDES Capabilities Demonstration

The 19th annual STAR-TIDES Capabilities Demonstration is coming up on April 13-14 at Mason Square. Under the theme "Reimagining Resilience: Empowering Local Communities in a Time of Uncertain Federal Support," this year's focus is on how state and local actors can prepare, withstand, recover, and adapt in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters as federal funds are being cut or redirected. 

STAR-TIDES is a global network of people and organizations that share knowledge to help build sustainable resilience and improve emergency responses. STAR-TIDES is coordinated with the Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities at 911����. Attendance is free, with free food provided. .

MIX Handmade Marketplace

The Handmade Marketplace is back on Tuesday, April 21, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Horizon Hall atrium on the Fairfax Campus. Support the maker community and micro-businesses. The MIX contributes to the growing movement of custom creations and artisan goods while fostering the creativity, problem‑solving, and innovation demonstrated by the makers who participate.

Cheuse Lecture: Colm Tóibín

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Cheuse Center, join this year’s with Irish writer Colm Tóibín, in conversation with German intellectual Malte Herwig. In "Stories of Sanctuary," Tóibín reflects on exile, identity, and what it means to seek and create refuge through literature. This event will take place on Thursday, April 23, from 7–9 p.m. at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, Virginia).

The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center cultivates a global community of writers, translators, and readers through a variety of programs and events.

Spring Commencement activities with the Alumni Association

Join the Alumni Association for Pancakes for Patriots on Tuesday, April 28, and a Grad Toast on Wednesday, April 29, to celebrate the class of 2026! to honor their achievements and make lasting memories with family and friends. Contact alumni@gmu.edu with questions.

Upcoming performances and arts events at 911����

Monday, April 13, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join Darden Purcell, the Jazz Voice Studio, and the DOWNBEAT award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble for an unforgettable evening featuring swinging jazz standards, Latin American songs, contemporary classics, and beloved hits from the Great American Songbook. Special guests include the Falls Church High School Jazzguars, directed by CJ Redden-Liotta, and 911���� alumni vocal supergroup BLOOM!

Freedom Connection's anti-human trafficking conference

is an anti-human trafficking conference focused on understanding exploitation and survivorship, in-demand skills, and best practices for volunteering. Hosted by Rotaractors from 911����, the University of Virginia, and the Northern Virginia community, the conference will educate and empower attendees to understand human trafficking and develop trauma-informed skills to better support survivors. The conference will take place on Sunday, April 19, at Mason Square. This event is hosted by Freedom Connection Rotaract, a student organization at 911����.

Human Resources News

Performance management update: A simpler path to recognition

Effective immediately, 911���� is discontinuing the Acknowledgment of Extraordinary Contribution form for classified staff performance evaluations, following guidance from the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). Supervisors can now assign an Outstanding overall performance rating without the extra form. Documentation is still required to show how exceptional performance advances unit or institutional goals. .

ITS Bits and Bytes

AI Toolkit from ITS

The AI Toolkit from Information Technology Services provides information on AI features and tools currently available in university-supported platforms, helping faculty, staff, and students enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and support teaching, learning, and administrative functions. .

Report phishing incidents

911���� community members who receive phishing emails should report them to phish@gmu.edu. Reporting phishing emails allows Information Technology Services (ITS) to issue alerts and notify recipients.  

If you clicked on a link, replied, or downloaded attachments from an email you later realized was a phishing attempt, contact ITS Support by phone: 703-993-8870 or for assistance. Information about reported phishing emails is available on the .

Policy and Compliance Updates

Hazing Prevention Policy and Reporting Obligations

911���� has adopted an updated in compliance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA). This policy builds on the work of and reinforces our commitment to a safe and respectful learning, living, and working environment for all members of the community. Non-confidential employees (i.e., employees who are not part of confidential offices, such as Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Support and Advocacy Center, and Student Health Services) are required to report hazing to the appropriate university authority. .

Coming to a Student Near You

Student Employee Appreciation Party

Are you a student who currently works on campus? Celebrate Student Employee Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 15, at the Corner Pocket in The Hub from 1-3 p.m. for free play and free ice cream. This event is hosted by Student Centers and University Life. 

Celebration of Student Scholarship and Impact

The takes place this year on Tuesday, May 5, on the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. Any 911���� undergraduate student who did a research or creative project is invited to register to present their poster. Registration is now open. All members of the 911���� community are invited to join in celebrating the students' accomplishments. 

Student focus groups for built environment and health case competition

The Department of Global and Community Health is collecting student input for a new case competition, working with community partners to address real-world public health challenges focused on the intersection of the built environment, physical activity, recreation, and urban planning.

Students are invited to participate in focus groups on Tuesday, April 7, at 2 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in Peterson Hall, Room 5101, or online via Zoom. RSVP for or attendance.

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