ITS

Shane Hayes is October Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 19:28:07 +0000

Shane Hayes is October Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Wed, 09/30/2026 - 15:28

Shane Hayes, technical specialist in 911��’s Information Technology Services, is known for saving the day. He excels at creating innovative solutions, revolutionizing workspaces, and adapting to any challenge that technology can throw at him. For his hard work and dedication to helping others, he has been awarded October Employee of the Month.

President Gregory Washington with October Employee of the Month Shane Hayes. Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

“Shane is consistently reliable, and we all benefit greatly from his respectful, inclusive, and friendly approach,” said Heather Aleknavage, administrative assistant and project coordinator in the Office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience.

“Shane is empathetic and professional,” said Patricia King, office manager in Research and Innovation Initiatives. “His work ethic is collaborative and inclusive, and he has developed strong rapport across the [Office of Research] offices.”

Former colleague Margaret Lindsey said, “Shane consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to supporting our students and staff, ensuring that everyone has the reliable technology and assistance they need to succeed.”

Sarah Parnell, director of provost operations and administration, commended Hayes on his grace under pressure. “What truly sets Shane apart is his ability to ensure everything appears smooth and seamless—even when challenges are occurring behind the scenes,” she said. “His steady presence instills confidence, and he has become the go-to person we rely on, knowing the work will be done well.”

How did you come to Mason:

I was looking through the job portal and came upon an open position in ITS and applied. I wanted to work for a place that had a team and where my work was in some way or somehow helping others, as opposed to being part of corporate.

Best day on the job:

Going to the Fuse with team members to help assist a move. It allowed me to vibe with teammates as well as explore the Fuse building while I assisted with moving teams into the building. I learned about the unique way they did electrical outlets in the building as well as how the Arlington campus buildings were all interconnected with one another. I also ended up meeting one of Einstein’s descendants.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

I like the people that I work with as well as the fact that the work I do helps people with their own goals. It always feels good that the help I give makes someone’s day better, which I hope also has a trickle-down effect, subsequently everyone is little bit happier.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

One of the things I like to do when I’m not working is cooking, especially looking up dishes and just trying to craft a meal and see how it tastes. Then there is also the learning process. Sometimes not everything comes out perfectly, and I enjoy learning from those mistakes so that the next time I attempt that dish it will come out better. Additionally, I like hearing my housemates’ feedback on my food.

Nominate a colleague for Employee of the Month

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Employee of the Month

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Five ways to stay cyber smart

ckearney — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:03:01 +0000

Five ways to stay cyber smart ckearney Thu, 10/17/2024 - 09:03

October is Cybersecurity Month and a good time to check up on the best ways to stay “cyber smart” across all the digital platforms in your life.

Be Phish-Aware. Do not click on suspicious links or share personal or financial information, such as Social Security numbers, or credit card or bank details in response to phish you may receive via email, phone call, or text. Common indicators of phishing include: language that asks you to act with urgency, spelling or grammar errors, or offers that seem too good to be true.
Use Unique and Strong Passphrases. Simple passwords can be guessed. Use passphrases with a mix of upper and lowercase letters and numbers/character substitutions that are not easy to guess. Do not reuse passwords for multiple services or share passwords with others. Remember, no reputable organization, including 911��, will ask you for your password. If you suspect your password has been compromised, change it immediately. Use a password manager to help you set strong passwords and securely store them for later use.
Beware of Push-Bombing. A strong password is key, but you need more than a password to protect your personal data and accounts. Enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) decreases your chances of getting hacked. But, watch out: Attackers use “MFA fatigue” or push-bombing attacks, where the attacker sends numerous authentication requests until a user gives in and approves it. If you have not attempted to log into an application but are receiving authentication alerts, do not approve them. Instead, reset your password and contact the ITS Support Center or appropriate helpdesk for assistance.
Keep Software Updated. When devices, apps, or software programs (especially antivirus software) notify you that updates are available, install them as soon as possible. Updated software ensures you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. Devices managed by 911�� receive updates automatically. For personal and non-911�� managed devices and applications, it is important to install the updates in a timely manner.
Report Suspicious Activity. If you receive a suspicious email or are unsure if something is legitimate, connect with ITS before you click, open, or respond. Other than resetting your password immediately, do not attempt to remedy the situation on your own. ITS has trained specialists available to help and keep 911�� cyber safe.

Check out a list of ITS activities for Cybersecurity Awareness Month at 911��.

ITS support is also now available 24/7. You can call 703-993-8870 or submit a request online.

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Faculty and Staff News

ITS

Five Things

911�� hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer

ckearney — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:06:55 +0000

911�� hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer ckearney Mon, 07/01/2024 - 09:06

Charmaine Madison, deputy chief of the IT Enterprise Group at the Central Intelligence Agency, has been named Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer at 911��, Deb Dickenson, executive vice president for finance and administration, announced Monday. Madison will report to Jackie Ferree, senior vice president of operations and business services.

Charmaine Madison. Photo provided

“Charmaine joins 911�� at a critical moment in the evolution of our institution,” Dickenson said. “Her experience implementing transformational change through strategic roadmaps is well-suited for the opportunities and challenges our university faces as we modernize and streamline our infrastructure to serve the diverse needs of our community.”

In more than a decade with the CIA, Madison has executed the strategic design of modernization roadmaps, managed daily operations, and served as the senior IT leader covering the intelligence community’s most extensive research and development directorate.

Madison is a retired cyber operations officer with the Air Force. She holds a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University and master’s degrees in business administration, information technology and national security studies. She is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

Dickenson also thanked Charlie Spann for his interim leadership for the past 18 months, during which he ensured the continuity of ITS services and systems, delivered significant progress on major university initiatives and built a robust ITS leadership team. Spann will resume his role as deputy CIO and assistant vice president of enterprise service delivery. “His leadership and experience will be instrumental to this transition and to 911��’s future,” Dickenson said.

Madison begins her new role on Aug. 1.

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Campus News

Faculty and Staff News

ITS

All Mason employees required to complete IT security awareness training by October 31

Pam Shepherd — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:46:36 +0000

All Mason employees required to complete IT security awareness training by October 31 Pam Shepherd Tue, 09/19/2023 - 10:46

All Mason employees are reminded to complete their mandatory 2023 IT Security Awareness Training assigned to them in MasonLEAPS by Tuesday, October 31. The training was assigned by Information Technology Services (ITS) to all employees—including contractors, affiliates, and student wage workers—to equip them with knowledge about cybersecurity risks and online safety and security.

Employees must complete the training by deadline to avoid having their NetID disabled, which interrupts access to Mason’s IT services. For details about the training, visit the ITS website.

Those who experience problems accessing the training should email the ITS Support Center or call (703) 993-8870.

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Office of the Provost

Provost Newsletter

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ITS

Shane Hayes is October Employee of the Month

How did you come to Mason:

Best day on the job:

What do you like best about working at Mason:

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

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Five ways to stay cyber smart

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911�� hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer

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All Mason employees required to complete IT security awareness training by October 31

Topics

ITS

Shane Hayes is October Employee of the Month

How did you come to Mason:

Best day on the job:

What do you like best about working at Mason:

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

Related Stories

Topics

Five ways to stay cyber smart

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Topics

911���� hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer

Related News

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All Mason employees required to complete IT security awareness training by October 31

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911�� hires CIA’s Charmaine Madison as Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer