Campus News

Northern Virginia entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife, Anupama, provide transformational support for Costello College’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Katarina Benson — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:23:47 +0000

Northern Virginia entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife, Anupama, provide transformational support for Costello College’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Katarina Benson Fri, 08/21/2026 - 12:23

Anil Sharma is many things: an entrepreneur, cybersecurity expert, angel investor, and philanthropist.

Although the 22nd Century Technologies CEO and his wife, Anupama, are not 911�� alumni, they have strong ties to the university through Anil’s membership on the President’s Innovation Advisory Council and the 911�� Foundation Board of Trustees.

Anupama and Anil Sharma. Photo by Duane Bailey/Costello College of Business.

They believe in education, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunity for the next generation. And that commitment has led them to commit to a gift that will name the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at the Costello College of Business in their honor. The center supports local innovators and entrepreneurs by providing resources and connecting regional stakeholders.

“Today’s college students are graduating at one of the most transformative moments in modern history,” Anil Sharma said. “Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping every industry… and the future will belong to those who can learn faster, adapt continuously, think critically, and stay resilient during change.”

Anil Sharma came to the United States from India in 1997 with $100 and the determination to build a future in a new country. Later that year, he founded McLean-based 22nd Century Technologies. What began as an IT consulting business has grown into a $600 million government contracting firm providing IT, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital transformation solutions to federal, state, and local government agencies across all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico.

That experience has shaped the Sharmas’ desire to give back by helping others pursue opportunities of their own.

With the Sharmas’ gift, the center is poised to advance into a nationally recognized hub where innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnership-driven impact converge. By building on programs like the Patriot Pitch Competition, the Honey Bee Initiative, and the SOAR Initiative, the investment will allow the center to help strengthen the region’s innovation economy by creating a space where students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and partners collaborate, mentor one another, and develop new ventures.

The Sharmas with CIE faculty and staff. Photo by Duane Bailey/Costello.

“This is a significant milestone for both the Costello College of Business and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and one that will ensure our center’s role as the preeminent place at 911�� where the future takes shape for innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry leaders,” said Costello Dean Ajay Vinzé. “I know I speak on behalf of all of us at Costello when I say how grateful we are to Anil and Anupama for their leadership in strengthening the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, expanding opportunities for our students, alumni, and community members, and creating an engine of innovation that will fuel long-term value and opportunity for generations to come.”

For Anil Sharma, that connection between opportunity and responsibility is an important part of what comes next.

“Building a business taught me that success is never only about one person,” Sharma said. “People give you opportunities, people trust you, people teach you, and communities create the conditions in which you can grow. At some point, you have a responsibility to help create those opportunities for someone else. That is what Anupama and I hope this center will do.”

As the Costello College of Business approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, the Sharmas’ gift represents an investment in the college’s next 50 years, supporting expanded opportunity, greater access, and the real-world impact that will continue to shape its future. Their gift is part of Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign.

The Costello College of Business plans to hold a formal naming event and celebration this fall.

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Preparing students for an AI-enabled future with ERA-NOVA

Katarina Benson — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:16:02 +0000

Preparing students for an AI-enabled future with ERA-NOVA Katarina Benson Wed, 08/19/2026 - 09:16

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms the way people learn, work, and communicate, educators are facing a new challenge: not whether AI belongs in classrooms, but how to prepare students to use it responsibly, ethically, and effectively. Education leaders from across Northern Virginia convened on 911��’s Fairfax Campus for the Educational Research Alliance of Northern Virginia's (ERA-NOVA) to answer this question.

Hosted by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the event brought together school district leaders, CEHD faculty, and community partners to explore the evolving role of AI in PK–12 education.

Participants at the ERA-NOVA convening discuss AI questions. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

"This convening is not ultimately about artificial intelligence," said Ingrid Guerra-López, CEHD dean. "It's about preparing educators to create the kinds of learning experiences that develop critical thinking, sound judgment, creativity, and the ability to solve complex problems. Artificial intelligence simply raises the urgency of that work." That perspective framed the day's discussions and was reinforced by keynote speaker Tara Nattrass, managing director of innovation, partnerships, and learning at Lenovo, who explained that conversations about AI in education are ultimately conversations about people.

Rather than focusing exclusively on emerging technologies, Nattrass challenged attendees to think about how schools can preserve the human elements of learning while equipping students with the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Drawing on research in learning sciences, workforce trends, and digital citizenship, she emphasized that technology should strengthen, not replace critical thinking. "The question isn't whether they'll use it," Nattrass said. "The question is whether anyone taught them how."

Discussions revealed that Northern Virginia school divisions are at different points of the AI journey. Some districts are still establishing policies and answering foundational questions about what AI is, which tools are appropriate, and how they should be used in schools. Others have begun implementing professional learning, developing governance structures, and introducing AI literacy initiatives for teachers and students.

Despite these differences, participants found common ground around a shared challenge: preparing educators with the confidence and knowledge to guide students in using AI thoughtfully instead of simply restricting its use.

"How do we teach teachers?" emerged as a recurring question during the discussions, with participants emphasizing the need for professional learning that helps educators establish classroom expectations, teach effective prompting strategies, and foster responsible AI use among students.

Participants also explored how educators can design learning experiences that emphasize critical thinking, authentic assessment, and responsible decision-making. Several groups discussed shifting away from blanket bans toward clear expectations for when AI is appropriate, when it should be limited, and when students should demonstrate their own understanding without technological assistance.

The convening also featured industry perspectives demonstrating how AI is transforming professions well beyond education. Representatives from Micron Technology and X Factor Volleyball shared examples of AI supporting semiconductor manufacturing, predictive maintenance, athlete wellness, and performance analytics.

Across industries, speakers emphasized a consistent theme: AI is augmenting human expertise rather than replacing it, enabling professionals to analyze complex data more efficiently while still relying on human judgment, experience, and decision-making.

Participants also explored broader societal implications of AI, including workforce transformation, student well-being, digital citizenship, and the importance of maintaining opportunities for productive struggle. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated, they discussed the growing importance of helping students evaluate information critically and navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.

"One of ERA.NOVA's greatest strengths is creating space for school divisions and university partners to wrestle with these questions together,” said Audra Parker, director of the Office for Teacher Preparation at CEHD. “AI is evolving rapidly, and no single organization has all the answers. By learning from one another and grounding our work in both research and practice, we can better prepare educators and students for what's ahead."

Participants identified several priorities for future collaboration, including modular professional learning, AI literacy for educators and students, train-the-trainer models, and stronger alignment between policy and classroom practice. Many also emphasized that AI should not be treated as a standalone initiative but should be integrated into broader efforts to prepare graduates with the technical, ethical, and interpersonal skills needed for an evolving workforce.

That challenge lies at the heart of ERA-NOVA's work. As school divisions, university faculty, and industry leaders continue learning from one another, the focus is on preparing students with the skills they will need to thrive in an AI-enabled world.

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Expanding 911��’s presence in South Korea's emerging quantum ecosystem

Katarina Benson — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:07:33 +0000

Expanding 911��’s presence in South Korea's emerging quantum ecosystem Katarina Benson Tue, 08/18/2026 - 13:07

As South Korea accelerates its national investment in quantum science and technology, 911��'s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) is strengthening its engagement with the country's leading research institutions and regional innovation partners.

In July 2026, Pilgyu Kang, QSEC's deputy director and associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, traveled to Mason Korea to sign a memorandum of understanding between QSEC and two of Korea's leading quantum organizations, the Future Quantum Convergence Forum and the QCI Quantum-AI Convergence Center (QCI).

Mason Korea QSEC, Future Quantum Convergence Forum, and the QCI Quantum-AI Convergence Center representatives.

“This memorandum represents much more than a formal agreement—it marks the beginning of a long-term partnership that connects researchers, students, and industry across the United States and South Korea,” said Kang. “By working together, we can accelerate quantum research, expand educational opportunities, and prepare a globally connected workforce capable of addressing the scientific and technological challenges of the future.”

The Future Quantum Convergence Forum serves as a hub connecting Korea's quantum and artificial intelligence (AI) industry, academia, research institutions, and local governments, with the Quantum-AI Convergence Institute (QCI) operating as its secretariat. For QCI, the MOU with 911�� marks a starting point for advancing collaboration with Korea's industry, academia, research community, and local governments.

Partnering with QSEC—a research center spanning physics, engineering, and computer science—is expected to provide QCI with new opportunities to build a global research network and exchange expertise in workforce development. Going forward, the two institutions plan to create opportunities for academic and research exchange through workshops and seminars, and to explore ways for 911�� and Korean companies to expand into each other's markets.

While in Korea, Kang also visited the Quantum Computing Project Group at Yonsei University in Songdo, which operates Korea's first 127-qubit IBM Quantum System One—the second university-based, on-premises IBM Quantum System One in the world. The visit served as an important platform for QSEC, Yonsei University, and Mason Korea to discuss future collaboration in quantum research, education, workforce development, and long-term academic partnerships.

South Korea continues to expand its national quantum strategy through large-scale government investment. Korea's Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is currently reviewing proposals for a nationwide quantum cluster initiative expected to invest approximately KRW 100 billion ($70 million USD) in regional quantum innovation ecosystems.

“This partnership is an exciting step forward for QSEC and 911��,” said Patrick Vora, QSEC director. “By growing our relationship with our Korean partners, we will create new opportunities for scientific advancement, technological innovation, and quantum education."

A final designation of participating regions is expected in the coming weeks, and discussions around Mason Korea and QSEC's potential role remain ongoing. To support these efforts, Mason Korea's Industry–University Collaboration Foundation (IUCF) facilitated discussions between QSEC and key stakeholders in Korea's quantum community.

Building on its longstanding partnership with Yonsei University, Mason Korea also helped identify opportunities for future international collaboration involving research, education, and innovation.

The partnership was facilitated by Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) and originated when QCI visited Fairfax County for the 2025 Quantum World Congress. A key connector in building international partnerships, FCEDA will continue to support both parties in deepening their collaboration and identifying new opportunities to strengthen ties between Korea and 911��.

"Mason Korea exists to make 911�� a genuinely global university, not just one with a campus abroad,” said Mason Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park. “Helping QSEC establish real footing in Korea's quantum ecosystem—and bringing other partner institutions along in the process—is precisely that mission in action."

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911�� prepares to launch new PhD in cybersecurity engineering

Nathan Kahl — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:57:39 +0000

911�� prepares to launch new PhD in cybersecurity engineering Nathan Kahl Mon, 08/17/2026 - 12:57

In This Story

Paulo Costa

Tanvir Arafin

911�� will soon offer a new doctoral degree in cybersecurity engineering, a milestone reflecting both the rapid evolution of the cybersecurity field and the continued growth of the university's Department of Cyber Security Engineering (CYSE). The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) approved the new PhD program in July.

"This is not just an administrative accomplishment," said CYSE Chair Paulo Cesar Costa. "It is an important recognition of the strength, maturity, and future direction of our department. It marks a major step forward in our ability to educate students in cybersecurity with the engineering depth and systems perspective that define CYSE."

He said, “The main challenge we faced with SCHEV was that we had to explain how cybersecurity was already a discipline of its own.” He points to the history of computer science as a useful comparison. Decades ago, computer science existed within electrical engineering before technological advances created the need for dedicated departments and schools. "We were able to convince SCHEV that the new discipline is actually overdue already."

As society becomes increasingly dependent on internet-connected devices, automated systems, and artificial intelligence (AI), the field is expanding beyond defending computer networks. "Cybersecurity includes a lot more than just hacking computers. There's the human factor, there's policymaking, there's how we train people. And now with the advent of AI, it basically turned around all the knowledge that we had about cybersecurity."

Cyberattacks that once required months of planning by highly skilled teams can now be executed far more quickly using AI agents, while researchers are already seeing examples of AI systems exploiting vulnerabilities in other AI systems.

"Cybersecurity and AI are no longer adjacent problems,” said Amarda Shehu, vice president and chief AI officer for the university. “AI supplies new defenses and new attack surfaces, and that demands researchers trained in engineering depth rather than in tools that expire. 911�� has been at the forefront of cybersecurity engineering for years, and this doctorate is the next step—producing those researchers at a public university whose obligation is to widen access to such expertise."

Costa said, "The whole discipline is evolving so fast that if we don't focus on this and get prepared, it's not that the CYSE department is not going to succeed. It's that the country will not have the capable cybersecurity professionals it needs."

For Costa, the PhD program is the latest step in a journey that began more than a decade ago. "When the cybersecurity department was created, it was created in a very unconventional way," he said. "It was created as a result of our own success in the bachelor's program."

The bachelor's degree launched in 2015 as a standalone academic program, with courses taught by faculty from other departments; enrollment quickly exceeded expectations. "It exploded in success," Costa said. "When it crossed 400 students, the dean's office created a new department."

The department later added a master's program, but Costa knew that “any department seeking to be known for its excellence has to have its own PhD program."

By 2023, he believed the department had the necessary infrastructure. "When I became chair, I allocated a lot of resources to start that program; it requires a lot more than just one guy writing stuff," Costa said.

Costa credited CYSE Professor Zhengdao Wang and Assistant Professor Tanvir Arafin for their extensive work developing and refining the proposal.

Wang said the program is designed to educate the next generation of cybersecurity experts. "We have an interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes security by design, integrates AI throughout the curriculum and research, and prepares graduates to address emerging challenges. The program will translate fundamental discoveries into practical solutions while strengthening the cybersecurity workforce and research enterprise.”

The college will implement a recruitment plan for the program soon, and it will be listed on the University Catalog in the near future.

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Education is the key for 911�� student-athletes to successfully navigate the new world of NIL and college sports

ckearney — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:01:50 +0000

Education is the key for 911�� student-athletes to successfully navigate the new world of NIL and college sports ckearney Wed, 08/12/2026 - 13:01

NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and revenue sharing have become inescapable parts of the lexicon of today’s new college sports landscape, but 911��’s assistant vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics Marvin Lewis wants to make sure that everyone knows exactly what that entails.

911�� student-athletes met with company representatives at an NIL Expo held earlier this year. Photo by John McDonnell/911�� Athletics

The goal is to both improve the student-athlete experience and add to the growing momentum, support, and university connection across all of Northern Virginia.

“We’re looking to build an NIL ecosystem at 911��,” Lewis said. “We think of being Northern Virginia’s team, and the business community is an important piece of that. When NOVA’s team wins, NOVA wins.”

That commitment to Northern Virginia extends education to partnerships between local business leaders and interested university student-athletes.

“There’s an assumption that every student-athlete is getting paid, that every student-athlete is making six figures with NIL, and every student-athlete is transferring,” Lewis said. “That’s not the case at 911��. Most of our student-athletes receive partial or no athletics scholarships, work to help afford their education, and remain committed to the academic opportunities and benefits the university provides.”

With aims of keeping 911�� competitive with further authentic engagement across Northern Virginia, the second annual NOVA's Team NIL Business Summit on August 19 will bring together local businesses, university leaders, and community partners with student-athletes to explore NIL opportunities, celebrate successful partnerships, and highlight innovative work happening on campus.

The just-completed 2025–26 academic year was a strong one for 911�� Athletics, with significant progress in athletic competition, academics, fundraising, fan engagement, NIL, leadership, and community connection.

Winning has proven just the panacea needed, with holding particularly true for 911��’s two flagship sports of men’s and women’s basketball.

The women’s team captured the program's first-ever A10 regular-season championship as co-champions, including a program-record 16 conference wins, while the men earned back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 2007–09.

NIL Expo in the Center for the Arts lobby. Photo by John McDonnell/911�� Athletics

Ticketing and sponsorships have blossomed as a result, with men's basketball averaging 4,189 fans—up 30% year over year—and 5,134 fans in A10 play, the program's best mark since 2013–14.

The momentum helped Athletics raise a record $4.4 million last year, including $2.06 million on Giving Day. Learn more about this achievement at gomason.com.

“Winning starts with people,” Lewis said. “I truly believe that people matter and that culture is the differentiator. I feel really confident in [Men’s Basketball Head Coach] Tony [Skinn] and [Women’s Basketball Head Coach] Vanessa [Blair-Lewis] as leaders on the basketball side, and the cultures that they’ve been able to develop that are about the right things.”

Success comes with its obvious benefits as NIL continues to transform college athletics, and interest in it from 911�� student-athletes remains strong. Currently, 26 student-athletes from eight different sports have NIL deals that have created opportunities for them while strengthening ties with the local business community.

Examples of the “NIL for All” model include the deal between women’s soccer player Madyson Taylor and local business Crumbl Cookies, and the wellness-focused partnership between women’s lacrosse player Peyton Farley and Yoga Commons.

Lewis stressed 911��’s educational approach to the new age of college sports. Each agreement is tailored to the business and the student-athlete, and might involve community appearances, youth camps, educational programming, wellness initiatives, or storytelling campaigns.

“It’s all of the soft skills that students will develop through that process,” he said. “Entrepreneurship, communication, business etiquette, branding, and how to sell yourself. All of those things are going to make our student-athletes better in the marketplace when they’re looking for jobs. And I think that’s another aspect that we’re leveraging beyond just the dollars and cents tied to the NIL deals.”

The NIL Business Summit is one tool that helps bring Mason Nation closer together with local supportive communities, but hardly the only one. The popular Coaches Caravan series will be making its third and final stop of the summer at The Farm Brewery in Prince William County on August 26.

“I believe the Mason model is sustainable,” Lewis said. “I believe that we’re at the right intersection of entertainment, education, and community impact, so I believe we’re in the sweet spot.”

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Fall for the Book’s Writers in the Schools reaches more than 1,000 students

Katarina Benson — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:45:43 +0000

Fall for the Book’s Writers in the Schools reaches more than 1,000 students Katarina Benson Wed, 08/12/2026 - 08:45

Last year, Fall for the Book’s annual Writers in the School series reached nearly 1,200 K-12 students in the Fairfax County Public Schools with their Writers in the School series. The program, organized by the 911��-based festival, is designed to introduce students to authors and encourage interest in reading and writing.

Misako Rocks! taught students how to draw manga. Photo provided.

Last fall Japanese writer and artist Misako Rocks! visited Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax to show students how to draw manga. Misako Rocks! has published many graphic novels including Bounce Back, winner of the American Library Association’s 2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children. She also conducted a manga drawing workshop and signed books during 2025 Fall for the Book Festival.

"Having Misako visit was such a joy for the Robinson community. It can be difficult to secure school funding for author talks, and we were so fortunate to receive this opportunity through Fall for the Book. It was really a special day and truly enriched the learning of the 250 students who were able to participate,” said Michael Van Wambeke, Robinson Secondary School Library.

Local author Ann McCallum Staats visited Mosaic Elementary School, also in Fairfax, to teach students about botany with the help of her book Fantastic Flora: The World’s Biggest, Baddest, and Smelliest Plants.

Award-winning writer and professor of English at William Paterson University Marina Budhos visited Manassas Park High School to discuss teenage life and immigrant families. Her recent book, Tell Us We're Home, follows three eighth-grade girls in Massachusetts.

Author Ann McCallum Staats at Mosaic Elementary School. Photo provided

“We worked with the schools to create meaningful, immersive activities to connect the featured books with their current schoolwork,” said Kara Oakleaf, director of Fall for the Book and a faculty member in 911��’s English Department. “For many of these children and teens, it was their first time seeing an author speak in person.”

Engaging with authors allows students to learn more about the writing process, increases interest in reading, and improves literacy outcomes.

At this year's festival, which runs October 6-10, authors will again visit schools.

Cassandra James, international bestselling author of fantasy epics for teens, will visit Chantilly High School. Her debut duology, Capitana and Libertad, has been translated into multiple languages and was chosen for the Junior Library Guild Gold Selection.

Marcie Flinchum Atkins is a teacher-librarian and the author of When Twilight Comes. The author of several nonfiction books for children, she will speak to Mosaic Elementary students about crepuscular plants and animals active in summer in Virginia. Atkins’s debut historical YA novel, One Step Forward, is about the youngest suffragist imprisoned at Occoquan Workhouse.

Based at 911��, Fall for the Book is an independent nonprofit literary arts organization that promotes reading by sponsoring a variety of year-round events and activities on the 911��’s Fairfax Campus and throughout Northern Virginia.

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Carter School marks first year leading UN academic network on peace and justice

ckearney — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:24:45 +0000

Carter School marks first year leading UN academic network on peace and justice ckearney Tue, 08/11/2026 - 13:24

One year after becoming the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at 911�� is expanding its role as a global convener of research, education, and partnerships aimed at advancing peace and sustainable development.

Dean Özerdem with colleagues at UN Sustainable Development Goal Hub meeting. Photo provided

The appointment positioned the Carter School at the center of an international network of universities working to advance SDG 16, one of the Sustainable Development Goals that underpins progress across the entire 2030 Agenda.

For Dean Alpaslan Özerdem, the first year has reinforced an important lesson: Universities have an increasingly important role to play in addressing complex global challenges.

"Serving as the UNAI SDG 16 Hub Chair has never been about institutional prestige," said Özerdem. "Our goal has been to demonstrate that universities can become trusted global conveners, bringing together scholars, students, practitioners, and policymakers to translate knowledge into action."

Rather than creating another academic network, the Carter School has focused on building an international platform that connects research, teaching, outreach, and practice. Working alongside vice chairs at the University of Oxford, Narxoz University in Kazakhstan, and the University for Peace in Costa Rica, the Hub has emphasized collaboration across regions and disciplines while placing students and early-career scholars at the center of its activities.

That approach reflects the Carter School's broader philosophy that peacebuilding today requires expertise extending beyond traditional conflict resolution.

"Peace today intersects with technology, climate change, governance, migration, public health, and many other fields," Özerdem said. "Universities are uniquely positioned to bring these different perspectives together."

Peace Week 2026 enable participants in a variety of talks and activities. Photo by R. Sison/Office of University Branding

The coming year will build on that momentum. The Carter School plans to deepen engagement with students and young professionals while expanding partnerships across the UNAI network. A key initiative will be the Carter School's upcoming Peace Week, which will bring together universities, international organizations, and practitioners to explore emerging approaches to peace, justice, and institutional resilience.

Faculty members involved in the Hub say the initiative has created new opportunities for international collaboration and applied research, while students have benefited from greater engagement with UN practitioners and global experts working at the intersection of policy and peacebuilding.

That student engagement has also translated into opportunities for students to take an active role in shaping the Hub’s programming and creating spaces for emerging scholars to contribute to global conversations.

“This spring, as students involved with the UNAI SDG 16 Hub, we organized the SDG 16 Graduate Student Research Symposium, bringing together 36 graduate researchers from 19 universities across the globe,” said Carter School PhD student Kamran Mamedovi. “The symposium created a space for emerging scholars to exchange ideas across borders and disciplines and demonstrated the power of the SDG 16 Hub to connect diverse perspectives and give the next generation of scholars a meaningful voice in global conversations on peace, justice, and sustainable development.”

As the international community enters the final years of the 2030 Agenda, the Carter School sees the Hub as an opportunity to demonstrate how universities can move beyond generating knowledge to helping solve global challenges.

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Engagement in Democracy

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Turning data into better health: 911��’s Bachelor’s in Health Informatics earns CAHIIM accreditation

Heather Carroll — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:08:01 +0000

Turning data into better health: 911��’s Bachelor’s in Health Informatics earns CAHIIM accreditation Heather Carroll Tue, 08/04/2026 - 15:08

Key Takeaways

911��’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics has earned prestigious CAHIIM accreditation, making it one of only two accredited undergraduate programs in the nation and the first in Virginia.
The nationally recognized program prepares students to turn health data, technology, and artificial intelligence into solutions that improve patient care and strengthen health systems.
As demand grows for professionals who can bridge data and decision-making, 911�� equips graduates with the technical and health care expertise employers need across hospitals, government agencies, and industry.

In This Story

Panagiota Kitsantas, PhD

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

The College of Public Health's nationally recognized program prepares students to meet rising demand for professionals who transform health care by turning data and technology into improved patient care.

Health informatics plays a central role in modern health care, where electronic health records, artificial intelligence, and analytics are transforming how care is delivered and healthcare managed. The field focuses on translating complex health data into insights that support better outcomes for patients and populations.

That work has reached a defining milestone at 911��. The College of Public Health’s Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics has officially earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), making 911�� one of only two programs nationwide to achieve undergraduate accreditation. As the first in Virginia, this distinction reinforces the university’s position as a leader in preparing the next generation of health informaticians.

“The Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics reflects the strength, rigor, and growing impact of our undergraduate education in this critical field,” said Panagiota Kitsantas, interim chair of the Department of Health Administration, Policy, and Informatics, which houses the informatics program. “It underscores our commitment to providing an education that equips students to address today’s challenges and harness data and technology to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.”

Unlike traditional data analytics or engineering degrees, health informatics is grounded in the health context itself. Students gain technical skills in data and technology while also learning how health systems function, how care is delivered, and how decisions affect patients and communities. Health informatics is not simply about applying technology to health. This interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to transform data into informed action across healthcare settings.

The timing is significant. The field is expanding quickly, with roles emerging across hospitals, government agencies, and private industry for specialists who can manage data, improve systems, and guide decision-making. As digital tools expand and artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into clinical settings, employers increasingly seek graduates who understand both the technical and human dimensions of care.

911��’s Master of Science in Health Informatics has been CAHIIM-accredited for more than 10 years. Accreditation of the bachelor’s program builds on that strong foundation and reinforces the college’s commitment to preparing graduates to lead health systems increasingly shaped by real-time data, artificial intelligence, and technological innovation.

“From their first courses through hands-on experiences, our students are immersed in the complexities of health data, information systems, advanced technology and how they shape real-world decisions,” said Janusz Wotusiak, director of 911��’s health informatics programs. “What sets them apart is their ability to connect that data to the realities of health care delivery—developing the skills not only to analyze information, but to apply it in ways that improve decision-making, strengthen health systems, and drive better outcomes for patients and communities.”

As the field has evolved and become more vital to health care, 911�� has continued to expand its health informatics programs to meet workforce needs. 911��’s health informatics program dates back to the late 1990s when a health information systems concentration was first offered. The standalone Master of Science in Health Informatics was launched in 2012.The Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics launched in 2021 as a standalone program after a decade-long offering of health informatics concentration, in response to growing demand for professionals who can improve patient care through data.

The department also offers Discovery Science and Health Informatics concentration under the Health Services Research PhD program that is a natural continuation for students who decide to continue their education.

“We had students who completed our undergraduate, master's and PhD in health informatics. This shows maturity of the program and ability for students to progress,” said Wojtusiak.

Why accreditation matters

CAHIIM accreditation is the gold standard for health informatics education. It ensures that a program meets rigorous national benchmarks for curriculum quality, faculty expertise, and workforce relevance.

For students, CAHIIM accreditation means:

Confidence in their degree’s value in a competitive job market
Preparation aligned with employer needs across health systems, government, and industry
Training that integrates technical skills with health care knowledge and practical application

As demand accelerates for professionals who can bridge data and decision-making, 911��’s fully accredited program prepares graduates to step into roles where they can use data not only to analyze the past but also to drive better decisions for the future of health care.

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Accreditation

Health Informatics

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Board of Visitors elects new executive committee, reviews president's goals, welcomes new provost, and announces transformative gift

ckearney — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:34:45 +0000

Board of Visitors elects new executive committee, reviews president's goals, welcomes new provost, and announces transformative gift ckearney Mon, 08/03/2026 - 15:34

At its first meeting of the new fiscal year, the 911�� Board of Visitors discussed President Gregory Washington’s goals for 2026-27, elected new leadership, announced a transformative gift for the College of Public Health, and officially welcomed new provost Marion Underwood to the university.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The backdrop of the BOV meeting on July 31, and the board’s annual planning conference the day prior, centered on how 911�� cannot only endure the transformation reshaping higher education in the face of fiscal, technological, political, and demographic challenges, but how the university can be a model for large public research universities in this evolving era.

Washington recapped institutional performance highlights from the past year, including increases in undergraduate and Mason Korea enrollment and increased philanthropy and state support. He also cited growth of the Early Identification Program, a balanced budget, launching the Grand Challenge Initiative, and university-wide AI implementation among the achievements.

Goals for the current fiscal year include initiating and executing a new strategic plan; forming Reimagining Education through the Doctorate (RED) task forces in every school and college to examine shortening time to earning bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees; expanding direct admissions; leveraging the innovation districts at the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas and at Mason Square in Arlington; and launching the office of Organizational Excellence and Institutional Integrity by next spring.

Washington also mentioned starting a “university-wide entrepreneurship framework” to complement the career planning and placement structures already in place to give students more paths to success in a shifting job market being redefined by AI.

“The 911�� you are involved with now has never been greater and has never been stronger than what it is at this particular point in time,” Washington told the board, whose 16 members include 13 in their first year of service. “That’s even through all the turmoil. Even through all the challenges. Even through all of the back-and-forth. This university is in really good shape. It’s meeting its mission. It’s doing so like no other institution in the commonwealth. I feel really confident in being able to say that, and the data really highlights it.”

Washington asked the board members to tackle five priorities in the coming year: develop a comprehensive plan to advocate for 911�� in Richmond to close the existing state funding gap, connect the university with philanthropists, greenlight capital projects, broker new relationships with industry and government, and use their strategic and planning acumen to help advance the university’s future.

“This university has always overachieved,” Washington said. “We’ve always done more with less. We’ve always led and pushed the envelope. That’s actually what we bring to the commonwealth and what we bring to our peer institutions. Now is not the time to stop that. Now is the time to lean into our base in terms of who we are.”

Rector Sumeet Shrivastava. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The BOV elected a new executive committee. Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94, who had been serving as vice rector, was chosen as rector. Shrivastava is the former chair of the 911�� Foundation Board of Trustees and past president of the 911�� Alumni Association.

BOV members also elected Anne Altman, BS Marketing ’82, as vice rector; Paul Misener, JD ’93, as secretary; and Delbert Parks and Jon Peterson as members-at-large. Altman and Misener had been serving on the executive committee as members-at-large.

The BOV also welcomed one new member, James W. Dyke Jr., who served as the state’s Secretary of Education from 1990 to 1993 and as a domestic policy advisor to former Vice President Walter Mondale. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger appointed Dyke to the BOV in June.

Like Washington, Shrivastava said he believes 911�� is in an advantageous position to emerge as the model of a modern university at a time of dramatic change in higher ed.

“911�� is in a perfect place to execute that,” Shrivastava said. “We’re a region that’s growing. … We’re already number one in Virginia for the outcomes families really care about—degree value and upward mobility. Doesn’t make the shocks and challenges less real. If we manage them with discipline, and frankly a little obsession—if not a lot of obsession—we help lead [the transformation]. That’s how a 50-year-old university becomes the model.”

The BOV announced a gift from Barry Dewberry and Arlene Evans to the 911�� Foundation in support of the School of Nursing—the largest philanthropic commitment ever for the College of Public Health and the first naming gift for an academic unit within the college. Pending approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), the school will be named the Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry School of Nursing. Evans is a retired operating room nurse, and she and Dewberry are among the university’s greatest benefactors. Watch for a future George story about this gift.

At the BOV’s annual planning conference the day prior, Washington introduced Underwood and new Antonin Scalia Law School Dean Daniel B. Kelly. BOV members and other attendees took part in breakout sessions run by university leaders on fiscal sustainability, demographic sustainability, and technological sustainability.

Those sessions reinforced points that attendees heard earlier in the day from Washington and Daniel Greenstein, chief of industry transformation at higher ed technology company Ellucian and the former chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), where he led an extensive overhaul of that system.

The planning conference marked Greenstein’s second appearance at the university in recent months—he was a panelist at the P3•EDU MAP Summit at Fuse at Mason Square in March.

He too urged attendees to adapt to the changing landscape and said he believes 911�� is strategically poised to successfully adapt, more so than many peer universities.

“Higher education is the last and most reliable engine of social mobility and workforce development,” Greenstein said. “We have to prioritize mission over our current practice. I know that’s hard because change is hard and change is emotional. The alternative is irrelevance.

“Institutions that are going to be successful are going to learn how to remain uncomfortable. Use that discomfort to drive mission and to create the changes that are necessary.”

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Board of Visitors

Celeste Ng and Stephen Graham Jones headline the 2026 Fall for the Book Festival

Katarina Benson — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:22:19 +0000

Celeste Ng and Stephen Graham Jones headline the 2026 Fall for the Book Festival Katarina Benson Mon, 08/03/2026 - 14:22

Fall for the Book, Northern Virginia’s largest literary festival, returns for the 28th year this October with bestselling authors Celeste Ng and Stephen Graham Jones as headliners. Taking place from October 6-10, the festival includes talks from local and national authors as well as events across the 911�� campus and the Fairfax area.

On Thursday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m., horror icon and author of more than 30 novels and collections, Stephen Graham Jones will discuss body of work including his historical vampiric novel, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.

Celeste Ng and Stephen Graham Jones headline the 2026 Fall for the Book festival.

Jones will appear at Harris Theatre on 911��’s Fairfax Campus thanks to the sponsorship of the 911�� Friends.

On Friday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m., Celeste Ng will discuss her bestselling novels, Little Fires Everywhere, Everything I Never Told You, and most recently, Our Missing Hearts.

She will appear at the Stacy C. Sherwood Center in Fairfax thanks to the sponsorship of the Friends of the Reston Regional Library and the Friends of City of Fairfax Regional Library.

A variety of author events will be held across the 911�� Fairfax Campus during the run of the festival. The full schedule will be available on August 13.

All festival events are free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of sponsors like the City of Fairfax, the 911�� Friends, ArtsFairfax, and Virginia Commission for the Arts. Free tickets are required for both headline events and will be available from September 10 on Fall for the Book’s Eventbrite page.

Based at 911��, Fall for the Book is an independent nonprofit literary arts organization that promotes reading by sponsoring a variety of year-round events and activities.

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Fall for the Book

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911�� prepares to launch new PhD in cybersecurity engineering

Education is the key for 911�� student-athletes to successfully navigate the new world of NIL and college sports

Turning data into better health: 911��’s Bachelor’s in Health Informatics earns CAHIIM accreditation