Campus News

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 extends 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��.”

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 sudden momentum helped Athletics raise a record $2.06 million on Giving Day—marking the highest 24-hour fundraising total in program history—and put the unit on pace for another historic fundraising year.

“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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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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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Campus News

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

911�� licenses cancer imaging technology to biotech company

ckearney — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:54:52 +0000

911�� licenses cancer imaging technology to biotech company ckearney Fri, 07/31/2026 - 10:54

SonoVanta™, a patent-pending contrast agent that improves the precision of cancer margin imaging, is the second technology from 911�� to be licensed through the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation’s (VIPC) Lab-to-Launch (L2L) Program, which accelerates the commercialization of promising research breakthroughs emerging from Virginia’s universities.

From left, John Hart, president and CEO of NanOptical; Amy Adams, executive director of Nexus234 Innovation District; Remi Veneziano, associate professor, bioengineering, 911��; and Helena Kondow-McConaghy, business development manager, PWCDEDT. Photo provided

SonoVanta™ originated from research conducted at 911�� bioengineering researchers Parag Chitnis and Remi Veneziano. NanOptical Biomedical Inc., a biotechnology company working on next-generation contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging, has licensed the technology. Photoacoustic imaging combines laser light and ultrasound to produce high-resolution views of tissue. The effectiveness of the technology depends in part on contrast agents that enhance the visibility of diseased tissue.

Successful commercialization of contrast agents depends on biocompatibility and scalable manufacturing. NanOptical Biomedical's platform addresses these challenges.

“SonoVanta™ was created to address one of the biggest barriers to the broader adoption of photoacoustic imaging,” said Chitnis. “By using an FDA-approved near-infrared dye, we devised a platform that enables disease-specific targeting and makes manufacturing and implementation easier.”

The company anticipates commercial availability this fall as an advanced tool for cell, tissue, and organ imaging, with applications across numerous areas of biomedical research and development. They hope to expand the technology's use in surgical oncology, with the goal of optimizing visualization of breast tumor margins during cancer procedures.

The L2L initiative, developed through a collaboration between VIPC and the state’s six R1 research university partners, aims to significantly increase the number of start-ups emerging from Virginia’s universities and help move technological breakthroughs to the marketplace, through a “fast track license.” Instead of taking months, a licensing agreement can now take weeks.

911�� bioengineering researchers Parag Chitnis and Remi Veneziano. Photo provided

NanOptical Biomedical's arrival represents an important milestone in bringing university-developed technology into research and clinical imaging.

“NanOptical Biomedical was formed to translate a strong university innovation into a commercially viable platform with meaningful market potential,” said John Hart, president and CEO of NanOptical Biomedical. “Our initial focus is to serve research customers in academia, biotech, and the pharmaceutical sector, while also pursuing the regulatory pathway for future clinical applications in surgical oncology. We believe SonoVanta™ offers a valuable solution to deliver more precise imaging and address a critical need in cancer care.”

"Eight years ago, Dr. Chitnis and I were standing in front of a whiteboard tossing ideas back and forth," said Veneziano. "We’re excited to watch this technology grow from an idea into a new biotechnology company."

NanOptical Biomedical began operations at the Endeavor life science incubator in the Nexus234 Innovation District in Prince William County, Virginia. Hart said the company chose Prince William County as its first operating location to stay close to 911�� and the region's thriving life sciences industry. The company is joining Nexus234, Northern Virginia's first innovation district, which Real FDI named one of the Top 10 Life Sciences Projects globally in March 2026.

“NanOptical Biomedical is exactly the kind of company Nexus234 was created to attract and empower,” said Christina Winn, executive director of the Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. "This achievement reflects the strength of the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem and the environment Prince William County has built for start-ups, research commercialization, and the life sciences industry."

NanOptical Biomedical's establishment in Nexus234 reinforces the region's commitment to cultivating an ecosystem that helps translate research and entrepreneurship into company success and job creation.

Earlier this year, 911�� was Virginia’s first R1 research institution to commercialize a product under the L2L initiative. In January, the 911�� Research Foundation entered into a license agreement with serial entrepreneur Anthony Fung and his company Valorlox LLC for the patented technology Dynamic Low Visibility Pneumatic Cofferdam, a coastal resilience system designed to protect against flooding.

Learn more about 911��'s Grand Challenge Initiative

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911�� hosts the 2026 Virginia Data Science Teacher Institute

Katarina Benson — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:57:45 +0000

911�� hosts the 2026 Virginia Data Science Teacher Institute Katarina Benson Thu, 07/30/2026 - 16:57

In June, more than 225 educators, higher education partners, industry experts, and students gathered at 911��’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas for the fifth annual Virginia Data Science Teacher Professional Learning Institute. The 2026 theme, “Data Science, Computational Thinking, and Modeling in the Age of AI,” reflected growing demand for data literacy and analytical thinking across industries.

For 911��, the event represents more than professional development. It highlights the university’s role as a statewide convener while advancing its Grand Challenge Initiative solution to support 21st-century education.

Teachers at the fifth annual Virginia Data Science Teacher Professional Learning Institute. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

A central theme throughout the institute this year was that students need strong foundations in data and computational thinking to succeed, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every profession.

Dewayne McClary, Virginia deputy superintendent for innovation, student pathways, and opportunities, said students must understand the concepts behind emerging technologies. “They need data literacy. They need skepticism. They need discourse. They need to understand how a model works,” McClary said.

Since the Virginia Board of Education approved a high school data science course in 2022, data science courses have expanded to more than 130 Virginia schools and reached more than 4,000 students.

For conference co-chair Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, the 911�� professor of mathematical sciences who helped develop Virginia’s data science curriculum, the institute’s success reflects years of collaboration among educators, school divisions, state agencies, universities, and industry partners. “What started as a vision has become a thriving statewide movement.”

“The institute's rapid growth underscores Virginia's emergence as a national leader in preparing students to navigate a data-rich world,” said keynote speaker Kate Maxlow, senior advisor to the Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The institute offered more than 40 sessions and 10 keynote speakers, as well as the opportunity to earn continuing education credits through 911��.

Keynote speakers and featured leaders included Jenna Conway, Virginia superintendent of public instruction; Conrad Wolfram, co-founder of Wolfram Mathematica; Ben Galuzzo, executive director of COMAP; Eli Luberoff, founder and CEO of DESMOS; Ji Yun Son, co-founder of CourseKata; and Amarda Shehu, 911��’s vice president and chief AI officer. Their expertise in mathematics education, computational thinking, curriculum innovation, and educational technology provided participants with direct access to leaders currently shaping how students learn and reason with data in an AI-driven world.

This year’s institute was cosponsored by the Ambassadors of Teaching in the Age of AI (ATAA) program, co-led by Peng Warweg, research program director in 911��’s College of Engineering and Computing, and aligns with the mission of 911��’s Data Science, Computing, and Applications Lab School partnership.

“Every teacher who leaves this institute takes new ideas, tools, and opportunities back to hundreds of students,” Seshaiyer said. “When educators, state leaders, higher education, and industry work together, we can build pathways that help every student see themselves as problem-solvers, innovators, and future leaders.”

Learn more about 911��'s Grand Challenge Initiative

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U.S. congressional delegation visits Mason Korea

Katarina Benson — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:23:21 +0000

U.S. congressional delegation visits Mason Korea Katarina Benson Thu, 07/30/2026 - 09:23

A U.S. congressional delegation, including four members of the House of Representatives and officials from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, visited 911�� Korea on July 27 to learn more about the university's global education model and explore opportunities to expand U.S.–Korea educational cooperation.

The visit was initiated by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who represents Virginia’s 10^th district and proposed the trip to see firsthand how 911�� operates its global campus in Korea. He was joined by Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), and Michael Cloud (R-Texas), along with professional staff from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and officials from the embassy's economic and public diplomacy sections.

The U.S. congressional delegation at Mason Korea. Photo provided

Mason Korea leadership shared insights into the campus's global education model and current operations. Conversations also focused on ways to expand educational exchange between the two countries and collaborate on developing globally minded talent.

The delegation also toured the campus's academic and research facilities and student support spaces.

"It was a meaningful opportunity for distinguished members of Congress and the U.S. Embassy to see firsthand the innovative educational outcomes and global model we've built here," said Campus Dean Joshua Park. "We remain committed to serving as a hub for educational and research collaboration between our two countries, and to continuing our work in developing global talent and expanding academic exchange."

Learn more about Mason Korea

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partnerships

SixDegrees.org partners with 911�� to support families, students

ckearney — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:19:59 +0000

SixDegrees.org partners with 911�� to support families, students ckearney Wed, 07/29/2026 - 14:19

SixDegrees.org hosted a Building Kits by Kevin Bacon activation on 911��’s Fairfax Campus on July 19, bringing together more than 100 volunteers to assemble 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits for students and families across Northern Virginia.

More than 100 volunteers to assemble 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits for students and families across Northern Virginia at the SixDegrees.org July activation. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The event, put on by SixDegrees.org, a Fairfax, Virginia-based nonprofit founded by actor Kevin Bacon, brought together 911�� faculty and staff, alumni, community members, and local nonprofits.

"Action is hope," Bacon told attendees, thanking them for turning their time and effort into tangible support for others.

The partnership grew out of conversations about the Patriot Pantry and the challenges many students face because of food insecurity, said Stacy Huston, chief executive officer of SixDegrees.org. "911�� is doing such a wonderful job on campus with these resources. It seemed like a natural partner."

The collaboration extends beyond the July event. 911�� global and community health professor Ali Weinstein and SixDegrees.org are conducting a research project examining how providing tangible forms of support—such as mental health kits—may affect both the people receiving assistance and the volunteers providing it.

President Gregory Washington with actor Kevin Bacon. Photo by Andani Gene Munkaila/Office of University Branding

911�� President Gregory Washington said the partnership reflects the university's commitment to supporting students in ways that extend beyond academics. "At 911��, we know that student success extends beyond the classroom,” Washington said. “Partnering with SixDegrees.org was an easy decision because we share a commitment to supporting students' well-being."

Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell said that partnerships like this reflect University Life's commitment to fostering connection, belonging, and community engagement. “When universities and community organizations work together, we can make a meaningful difference while building relationships that extend well beyond a single day of service,” Pascarell said.

The event will have an immediate impact on the 911�� community. While most of the meal kits will be distributed by Food for Others throughout Fairfax County, a portion will remain at 911�� to support students through the Patriot Pantry.

SixDegress.org CEO Stacy Huston, with President Gregory Washington, and Vice President Rose Pascarell. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Volunteers also assembled 400 mental health kits in partnership with Find Your Anchor. The kits contain practical resources, messages of encouragement, and information designed to support someone experiencing emotional distress and to encourage them to seek additional help. The kits will be distributed to 911�� students throughout the year at mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention awareness events.

Rachel Wernicke, 911��'s chief mental health officer, said the kits complement the university's broader efforts to support student well-being. "Find Your Anchor is an organization dedicated to supporting people who may be impacted by suicide by offering hope and a reminder that they are not alone. This initiative aligns closely with Mason’s suicide prevention efforts,” Wernicke said.

Huston said she hopes the partnership with 911�� will encourage other organizations and communities to pursue similar collaborations. "Stories don’t just inform; they also inspire. You might see what's happening at 911��, and another community might say, 'What would it look like for us to do that here?'"

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