At Mason

911�� panel examines the complex legacy of its namesake during America’s 250th Anniversary

ckearney — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:25:36 +0000

911�� panel examines the complex legacy of its namesake during America’s 250th Anniversary ckearney Tue, 06/30/2026 - 16:25

911�� hosted a Virginia 250 panel discussion on its Fairfax Campus examining the legacy of 911��, the founding father, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and slaveholder whose contradictions mirror the broader American story. The one-hour program, The Complex Legacy of 911��, will premiere on 911�� YouTube channel and GMU-TV at 10 a.m. ET on July 2, 2026.

The discussion was moderated by Christopher Eck, executive director of Gunston Hall, 911��'s 18th-century estate on the Potomac River. He was joined by Carly Fiorina, national honorary chair of the Virginia 250 Commission and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; George Oberle, historian and director of the Center for Mason Legacies at 911��; and Gregory Washington, president of 911��.

Throughout the conversation, the panelists examined how the same man whose words helped shape the language of universal rights—language echoed by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence and James Madison in the Bill of Rights—also enslaved more than 100 people and never freed them. Rather than avoiding those contradictions, the discussion explored how confronting difficult history is central to the mission of a public university.

Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

"This is what a university is for: to have these hard conversations," said Oberle, who co-founded the research initiative behind the Enslaved People of 911�� Memorial, the centerpiece of the redesigned Wilkins Plaza on the Fairfax Campus. "If you're not going to have them here, where are you going to have the hard conversations?"

Washington, who became the university’s eighth president in 2020, described the university’s decision to keep its namesake and use his legacy as a platform for learning, reflection, and dialogue. He also noted that freedom of expression remains a core university value rooted in Mason's own writings.

Fiorina connected the discussion to the broader goals of the nation's semiquincentennial—to educate, engage communities, and inspire civic renewal.

"Nostalgia is not history. Propaganda is not history," she said. "To know our country fully is the only way we can be true citizens and true patriots."

The panel was presented as part of Virginia's 250th anniversary commemoration, marking 250 years of 911��'s Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the nation’s founding.

Watch The Complex Legacy of 911�� beginning at 10 a.m. ET on July 2 on the 911�� YouTube channel or GMU-TV. Additional airings on GMU-TV will be July 3, 8:30 a.m.; July 4, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and July 5, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

A full transcript of the panel is available.

Learn more about the Center for Mason Legacies

Creating joyful new—and therapeutic—connections through dance

Katarina Benson — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:27:30 +0000

Creating joyful new—and therapeutic—connections through dance Katarina Benson Thu, 06/25/2026 - 14:27

“Being in class with our participants reminds me of the pure joy of dance,” said School of Dance senior Emma Simons of her time interning with Dance for PD®.

Dance for PD is a national program providing movement-based classes for people with Parkinson’s disease. Photo provided

Dance for PD is a movement-based class for people with Parkinson’s disease, which offers physical benefits to the participants and helps reduce the social isolation associated with the neurological disease. 911��’s School of Dance has offered the national program, administered by 911�� arts partner Mark Morris Dance Group, in Northern Virginia since 2021.

When Simons and fellow dance major Asiah Moore interned with Dance for PD, each took a different approach to her work, a practice encouraged by 911�� adjunct Elizabeth Spatz, a certified Dance for PD teaching artist.

Moore concentrated on increasing internal awareness of Dance for PD at 911��, creating strategic social media content and encouraging her peers in the School of Dance to engage more robustly with the program.

She recruited fellow students to attend the classes and perform brief dance selections for class participants. After these showings, participants had the opportunity to ask the students questions about the pieces and their experiences overall.

“I wanted to combine these worlds and give the community a chance to see inside the work we do,” said Moore. “When [the participants] have a chance to see pieces beforehand, they might come to a performance, [then] they come in feeling like they’re already part of this world because they know us.”

Dancers participating in Dance for PD®. Photo provided

In her work, Simons focused on external communications, building on previous interns’ research into local medical practices, retirement communities, and businesses where patients and caregivers might be looking for the resource that Dance for PD provides.

Simons made cold calls and sent out emails, aiming to bring more people to 911��’s Fairfax Campus. But as she spent more time in class, she noticed that people’s hesitation melted inside the studio, and she decided to pivot in her approach.

“It’s so much joy to be in the room with the participants, and I knew words can’t bring people in as much as the movement itself could,” said Simons.

Simons and Moore joined forces and started reaching out to administrators at various retirement communities to organize in-person trial classes on-site. The class they offered with Westminster at Lake Ridge was very well attended.

“There were staff members who said ‘We’re just here to watch’ at the beginning of the session, but within five minutes, they were dancing and smiling and moving. It has this power for connecting people,” said School of Dance Associate Professor and 911�� alumna Shaun Boyle D’Arcy, MFA Dance '21, who helped bring the program to 911��.

Simons and Moore graduated from 911�� in May with BFAs in dance and look forward to building on their experiences with Dance for PD. They both plan to perform professionally and are looking for companies that value community engagement and service.

Spatz said these internships can lead to jobs. “One of our former interns was hired by a company that was impressed with her [Dance for PD] experience,” said Spatz. “It’s so valuable for our students to see the different ways dance applies to people’s lives.”

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of improving human health, well-being, and preparedness.

Discover more GCI human health, wellness, and preparedness research >>

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Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract extended through 2031-32

ckearney — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:27:23 +0000

Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract extended through 2031-32 ckearney Mon, 06/15/2026 - 12:27

911�� Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis has announced a contract extension for women’s basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, securing her leadership of the Patriots through the 2031-32 season.

Vanessa Blair-Lewis. Photo by 911�� Athletics

Blair-Lewis has elevated the 911�� women’s basketball program into one of the premier programs in the Atlantic 10 during her five-year tenure, highlighted by the program’s first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship, NCAA Tournament appearance, and regular-season conference title.

“Vanessa Blair-Lewis has delivered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball, while building a culture rooted in purpose, passion, and the development of young women on and off the court,” said Lewis. “Her impact goes far beyond wins and championships—she has united our community and redefined what’s possible at 911��, and we’re proud to extend her leadership into the future.”

In 2025-26, Blair-Lewis guided the Patriots to another historic campaign, leading 911�� to its first regular-season championship in program history and a program-record 16 conference victories. The Patriots also hosted a postseason game for just the third time ever, while Blair-Lewis also earned the 400th victory of her head coaching career. 911�� women’s basketball also saw its highest attended home game ever, packing EagleBank Arena with 4,123 fans vs. Dayton on December 31, 2025.

“I am incredibly grateful to President Gregory Washington and Athletic Director Marvin Lewis for their trust and belief in our vision,” said Blair-Lewis. “This extension is not just about me—it reflects the hard work, dedication, and culture we have built together. We have achieved historic milestones, but I truly believe our best days are still ahead. We are redefining what's possible at the mid-major level, here at 911��.”

The 2024-25 season marked a breakthrough year for the Patriots under Blair-Lewis, as 911�� captured its first Atlantic 10 Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth in program history. The team finished with a school-record 27 victories, including the program’s first-ever 11-1 start and back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time. 911�� also achieved its highest-ever NET ranking at No. 40.

Blair-Lewis has engineered one of the nation’s most impressive program turnarounds since arriving in Fairfax in 2021. After inheriting a team that won just three games in 2020-21, she tripled the Patriots’ win total in her first season and snapped a 24-game conference losing streak. In 2022-23, 911�� recorded its first winning season since 2017-18 and advanced to the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals. The following season, the Patriots posted 23 wins and earned a postseason berth to the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament before breaking through with a championship campaign in 2024-25.

During her tenure at 911��, Blair-Lewis has coached numerous Atlantic 10 award winners and all-conference selections, including back-to-back Most Improved Players, the league’s Rookie of the Year, multiple All-Conference performers, and All-Defensive Team honorees.

She has also earned national recognition, including consecutive selections as a finalist for the Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year award by Her Hoop Stats and recognition as the 2024-25 VaSID Coach of the Year.

Prior to 911��, Blair-Lewis spent 13 seasons at Bethune-Cookman, where she led the Wildcats to four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season titles, a MEAC Tournament championship, and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019. She is a four-time MEAC Coach of the Year and has more than 400 career victories across 27 seasons as a head coach.

“I am excited to continue leading this program, developing exceptional young women and making the 911�� community proud,” said Blair-Lewis. “The future is bright, and we're just getting started.”

With this extension, 911�� reaffirms its commitment to the continued growth and national prominence of the women’s basketball program under Blair-Lewis’ leadership.

Jump into 911�� Athletics

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season

ckearney — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:06:20 +0000

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season ckearney Thu, 06/11/2026 - 13:06

911�� Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis has announced a two-year contract extension for men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn, BA Communication ’06, through the 2031-32 season.

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. Photo by 911�� Athletics

The 2025 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and architect of 911��'s first A-10 championship team, Skinn has put together the best start to a coaching career in school history and cemented himself as one of the top young coaches in the nation.

He's set new program bests for overall wins (70), league wins (35), overall winning percentage (.693) and league winning percentage (.648) for a Patriot coach over his first three campaigns. What's more, Skinn's 69.3 overall winning percentage ranks 17th nationally among current Division I head coaches with at least 3 seasons at the helm.

"Tony represents everything we value in 911�� men's basketball and in our broader athletics program," said Lewis. "In just three seasons, he has elevated our competitive standard, delivered sustained success on the court, and built a culture rooted in accountability, player development, and integrity. This extension reflects our confidence in Tony's vision, his leadership, and his commitment to continuing to position 911�� as a nationally respected program. We're excited about what lies ahead for Patriot basketball under his direction."

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. The fastest bench boss to 50 wins in program annals, Skinn has guided the Patriots to two consecutive NIT appearances, marking the first time since 2007-09 the program has reached back-to-back postseasons (NCAA or NIT). 911�� is one of just three A-10 programs during Skinn's tenure to finish in the NET top-100 all three seasons.

"This extension is a testament to what our staff and players have built together while bringing the vision of Patriot Pressure to life," Skinn said. "We've set a strong foundation over these past three years and will continue to elevate our collective standard. I'm grateful to our fans and administration who have invested in this program and understand what it takes to compete at the national level. The best is yet to come."

Tony Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Photo by 911�� Athletics

As head coach, Skinn has mentored five All-A-10 selections, four NABC All-District picks and the 2025 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Skinn is a two-time finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, given annually to the nation's top minority head coach.

In 2025-26, he guided the Patriots to the program's best-ever overall (18-1) and A-10 (6-0) starts. Team 60 became the fastest in school history to reach 20 victories (22), shattering the previous mark of 25. Despite returning just 3% of the previous season's scoring output and losing Preseason All-A-10 First Team selection Brayden O'Connor to a season-ending injury in the first game of the campaign, the men’s team reached 23 overall victories and received a berth in the NIT. 911�� earned home wins over three NCAA Tournament Teams (#25/24 Saint Louis, VCU, Penn) and the Patriots were the only school in the A-10 to defeat the top-3 programs in the league standings. The 29-point win over the Billikens marked the 14th-largest margin of victory by an unranked team over a ranked program since the AP poll began in 1949.

After the 2024-25 season, Skinn was named a national finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, which recognizes the Division I head coach who wins with integrity both on and off the court. He also garnered VaSID Virginia Coach of the Year accolades at the conclusion of the Patriots' historic season.

911��'s elite Patriot Pressure defense ranked in the top-25 nationally in 2024-25 and the Patriots ranked third in the country in field goal defense. The team's cumulative field goal defense marked a 911�� school record while its 3-point defense was second best all time.

Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Senior Jared Billups became 911��'s first conference Defensive Player of the Year since 2001 and was a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award in 2025, given to the nation's top defensive player. Jalen Haynes earned NABC All-District First Team honors in 2024-25 and was just the second All-A-10 First Team pick in school history. Both Kory Mincy and Riley Allenspach garnered All-A-10 Second Team honors in 2025-26. With Haynes and Darius Maddox also being named All-A-10 in 2024-25, it marked the first time since 2008-09 the Patriots had multiple non-conference selections in back-to-back seasons.

911�� Athletics

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911�� selects Marion Underwood as provost and executive vice president

ckearney — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:34:34 +0000

911�� selects Marion Underwood as provost and executive vice president ckearney Wed, 05/27/2026 - 12:34

After a nationwide search, Marion Underwood has been named Provost and Executive Vice President at 911��, effective July 27. Underwood, former provost and executive vice president at Colorado State University (CSU), brings 35 years of academic, research and leadership experience to the role.

Marion Underwood. Photo provided

“Dr. Underwood’s career path has taken her to other institutions very compatible with 911��, and she brings the right attitude and aptitude to thrive as our next provost,” said 911�� President Gregory Washington. “This is an important partnership as we forge 911�� into a university that is purpose-built to lead in the 21st century and beyond."

Her accomplishments at CSU included the creation of the university’s Strategic Roadmap 2025: A National Model for the Modern Land Grant University; formulating the CSU System Vision for Student Mental Health 2023; playing a critical role in fine-tuning CSU’s new hybrid RCM budget model; and the ongoing hiring and developing multiple outstanding academic leaders, including three deans.

“I look forward to working with faculty, staff, and University Life to strengthen a holistic student success model: expanding advising and basic needs supports, fostering belonging, advancing experiential learning and career-connected pathways, advancing research and scholarship based on societal needs, and building employer partnerships that help more graduates thrive,” Underwood said.

At Purdue University, Underwood served as dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences and distinguished professor of psychological sciences. She led the college through a period of strong enrollment growth and increased student success, oversaw a research portfolio of $32 million during the 2021-22 academic year, collaborated with the University Senate to create a new winter term, and led a university-wide cluster hire in Public Health, Health Equity, and Health Policy to attract faculty members to enhance expertise in diversity.

She also spent 20 years at University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), culminating in three years as dean of graduate studies and associate provost. During her time as graduate dean, the number of doctoral degrees awarded annually increased by 29%. She earned tenure as an associate professor of psychology at Reed College in Portland, Oregon.

She has more than 20 years of continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health, more than 100 publications and an h-index of 51, recognition as an Ashbel Smith Professor at UT Dallas, and a distinguished professor at Purdue University. Her research on social aggression includes the 2003 book Social Aggression Among Girls and the upcoming second printing of her co-authored book Social Development: Relationships in Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence.

She is a strong advocate for student success, having collaborated with Enrollment and Access and Student Affairs to launch a transfer program at CSU in collaboration with Front Range Community College, and worked with the enrollment team there to recruit more rural students, while developing online offerings to meet unique needs of rural communities. She also developed a Student Mental Health Initiative for the CSU System.

Underwood has a BA in Psychology from Wellesley College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and a master’s and PhD from Duke University in Clinical Psychology.

President Washington expressed his gratitude to Interim Provost Ajay Vinzé for his work; Vinzé will return to his role as dean of the Costello College of Business.

Washington also thanked the 21-member provost search committee, co-chaired by Melissa Broeckelman-Post, professor of communication and assistant provost for academic affairs; and Solon Simmons, faculty senate president, director of The Narrative Transformation Lab, and Vernon M. and Minnie I. Lynch professor in the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, for their work the past six months.

“Dr. Underwood’s career reflects broad leadership experience across major public research universities, grounded in a longstanding commitment to academic excellence, student success, and institutional innovation,” said Broeckelman-Post. “She is known for energetic, collaborative, and people-centered leadership, as well as for her commitment to mentoring, academic freedom, and inclusive excellence.

“Dr. Underwood’s work has consistently focused on strengthening the conditions that enable faculty, staff, and students to thrive,” added Simmons. “Her career reflects a strong belief that public research universities are at their best when they pair academic distinction with broad opportunity and sustained public purpose.”

Meet 911��’s new Provost and Executive Vice President, Marion Underwood

911�� Giving Day 2026 races to a record-breaking finish

Katarina Benson — Tue, 05 May 2026 16:36:42 +0000

911�� Giving Day 2026 races to a record-breaking finish Katarina Benson Tue, 05/05/2026 - 12:36

The 911�� community came together in a powerful show of support on April 2, raising a record $2.95 million during the university’s 24-hour Giving Day. More than 1,900 donors made 3,229 gifts to 293 funds across the university, helping expand opportunities for students, strengthen academic programs, and support initiatives that advance 911��’s mission.

Throughout the day, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends rallied behind the university with enthusiasm and generosity. Among the donors were 864 alumni and 337 faculty and staff members, and 500 donors made their first gift to the university, representing about 25% of all Giving Day participants.

“It was especially meaningful to see so many people choose to support 911�� for the first time,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president for advancement and alumni relations and president of the 911�� Foundation. “Every new donor strengthens this community and expands what we can make possible for our students. When people invest in 911��, they are investing in opportunity—in the students whose lives are changed here and in the impact they will go on to make in the world.”

That spirit of generosity was reflected across the university, with donors supporting scholarships, athletics, academic programs, and other priorities that directly shape the student experience. The General Scholarship Fund attracted the largest number of faculty and staff donors, followed by the Costello College of Business’ Spirit of ’77 Fund and Basketball Greatness.

911�� Athletics generated the highest totals for both dollars and donors on Giving Day.

“Giving Day captures the very heart of our athletics community—from our athletes and coaches to the fans who fuel our mission,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Athletics. “The extraordinary growth we see year after year is a testament to the trust our supporters place in us and the deep pride they take in investing in the lives of our student-athletes. We are gratified and humbled by this community’s commitment to our championship culture, ensuring every 911�� athlete has the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.”

Along with Athletics’ standout results, the Costello College of Business and the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) also received notable support, in both dollars raised and donor participation. CVPA Dean Rick Davis reflected on the lasting impact of the day. “One of our mottoes, that we return to again and again, is that the arts create community. A gift to Mason Arts is one that develops student talent, enhances creative capabilities, and in turn, enriches our community's experience,” he said.

The momentum of Giving Day adds to 911��’s historic fundraising campaign, Mason Now: Power the Possible, which has raised more than $639 million toward its $1 billion goal.

“Each gift, no matter the size, helps expand student success, support academic excellence, and create opportunities for 911�� students to learn, lead, and thrive,” said Bowden. “Through Mason Now, that generosity is helping 911�� move forward in ways that will shape the university for years to come.”

Power the Possible. Learn more.

Meet the Mason Nation: John Forgy

lclarkg — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:35:49 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: John Forgy lclarkg Tue, 03/24/2026 - 10:35

Name: John Forgy

Job: Environmental Graphic Designer and Sign Program Manager, Campus Planning, Facilities and Campus Operations

Imagine exploring a new location—an unfamiliar city, shopping center, sports stadium, or even a college campus—and not finding any signage to help you get around.

We rely on a countless number of signs each day, whether we are driving, walking through a neighborhood, shopping at the grocery store, or going from building to building on campus. John Forgy, environmental graphic designer and sign program manager at 911��, creates the wayfinding systems that guide students, faculty, staff, and visitors across the university’s campuses and sites.

All roads lead to 911��: John Forgy's work on university signage helps students, faculty, staff, and visitors find their way around the campuses. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Enter here: After graduating from 911��, Forgy, BA Studio Art ’89, started working at an environmental graphic design firm in Washington, D.C. He worked on projects in experiential design, which merges graphic, architectural, interior, and landscape design to enhance how people interact with built environments.

Points of interest: “I was fortunate enough to work on a wide variety of projects like higher education, museums, sports facilities, concert halls, hospitals, commercial buildings, and campus wayfinding programs,” Forgy said. He always enjoyed higher education projects, which prepared him to start working at 911�� in 2012.

Brand builder: Forgy’s main responsibility is to integrate the university brand into the built environment. He manages the development, implementation, and maintenance of interior and exterior wayfinding signs, code-required signs, recognition signs, and more. “I also document all of the sign systems in use and plan for the future growth of signage and graphics programs at 911��,” Forgy said.

John Forgy is responsible for designing campus signage that translates the university's brand into the built environment. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Different directions: Across multiple campuses and sites, there are a lot of signs to design, create, and manage. Signs are fabricated in the university’s sign shop located on the Fairfax Campus or by contractors off-site.

“911�� is like a small city, which means I get to work on a wide range of projects for a variety of clients,” Forgy said. “Every day is different, and I’m never bored.”

Caution ahead: Because signage is a long-lasting investment for the university, Forgy must balance his focus between present needs and planning for the future. “Much of what I do sets the standard for the future,” he said. “Sometimes that means taking extra time to think way ahead when a project comes to me without a previous precedent.”

Place-making: Some of Forgy’s most memorable projects include a collaboration with the City of Fairfax to apply “We Are Mason” decals on several streets in the city and on the campuses, as well as an exterior wayfinding sign refresh taking shape this year. “Anytime you see your work come to life, it’s exciting,” Forgy said. “Getting positive feedback from the 911�� community, especially from the students, is very satisfying.”

Taking a detour: Outside work, Forgy enjoys history, restoring his ’77 Bronco, and music. He spent more than 23 years working part-time in radio as air talent. Forgy got his start in radio during college at 911��’s WGMU, where he worked as a DJ and a production director. “I might have switched majors if I wasn't so far along pursuing my art degree,” Forgy said.

The “On Air” sign takes on extra meaning, in this case.

More about Facilities and Campus Planning

This student is tasting start-up success with a meal delivery service for seniors

sholla4 — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:33:08 +0000

This student is tasting start-up success with a meal delivery service for seniors sholla4 Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:33

Starting a business is a delicate task. Even if you get the measurements just right, without a dash of innovation, a sprinkle of luck, and a heaping spoonful of courage, it’s likely to go straight from the oven to the bin.

Zachary Suh prepares food in the College of Public Health's Nutrition Kitchen. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Zachary Suh, however, is mastering the recipe.

Suh, a marketing major in the Costello College of Business, member of the Honors College, and a University Scholar at 911��, founded HomePlate, formerly Elderly Eats, in his sophomore year. It’s a meal service for seniors that provides medically thoughtful and culturally relevant meals made fresh and delivered right to their doorstep.

The idea first took root during COVID-19 lockdowns, when Suh’s grandmother moved in with the family as her Alzheimer’s reached late-stage. “My mom, who is a 911�� professor, became her full-time caregiver,” he said. "Caregiving takes a huge physical and emotional toll. I wanted to help her in any way I could.”

Leaning into his love for cooking, Suh took over making all the meals for his family: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He discovered that his grandmother was most interested in Korean food. “Even with her cognitive decline, you could tell she enjoyed those meals much more,” he said.

This discovery led him to another: a major gap in senior food delivery. “At one point, we looked into meal service for seniors, but we couldn’t find anything that did culturally relevant meals,” he said.

Suh is familiar with start-ups: his older brother, Jeremy Suh, founded an AI company while in college. “He’s a big inspiration for me, very much my mentor,” Suh said. “We talked about this idea for a food delivery service, about how I could bring this onto a larger scale.”

And from those conversations, Suh was encouraged to apply for the 2024 Patriot Pitch competition, hosted by Costello College of Business. HomePlate won first place in the General Entrepreneurship Track and was selected as a Mason’s Choice Award Prize winner, earning Suh $7,000 to start turning his idea into reality.

“From the very outset, what impressed me most about Zach was his unwavering commitment to helping caregivers and seniors by providing them with nutritious, culturally relevant meals that could be consumed at home,” said Jerry Pierce, MBA ’92, a retired KPMG partner and professor of accounting at Costello. “His passion for helping others is always on full display and was a big reason the audience selected him for the Mason’s Choice Award.”

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Previously, HomePlate provided meal plans with an in-house demonstration of meal prep. Now, they’re transitioning to a fresh meal delivery service. Suh works with a registered dietician to craft meals that meet the variety of dietary and health needs of senior populations, such as diabetic restrictions, sodium control, low cholesterol, and general wellness. During the pilot program in March, HomePlate focused on Korean meals with hopes to expand to other cuisines in late 2026.

For Suh, now a junior at 911��, this shift lets him get back to doing what he loves: cooking. He is making all the meals from scratch in partnership with Kitchen of Purpose in Arlington. “You’ll see me at every stage,” he said. “In the grocery store, in the kitchen, delivering the meals, and then taking the trash out after.”

Being both a student and a business owner is certainly a balancing act. Suh said that it wouldn't be possible without the phenomenal support from 911��. Costello’s Office of Career Services and Jeremy Plotnick, director of minor programs for Costello, have been key supporters. Plotnick mentored Suh and helped him register his work on the business as an internship, allowing him to prepare for the relaunch while earning academic credit toward his degree. Working in the MIX incubator connected him to student and alumni entrepreneurs. Professors have offered advice. Even while studying abroad at Mason Korea, he was able to network and pitch his business through the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as attend a one-week accelerator program in Australia.

“I don’t think you get this level of care and mentorship at other universities,” Suh said. “Being a 911�� student gives you access to this unparalleled network of professionals who have so much knowledge."

Explore Costello College of Business

Patriots named co-regular season champions, earning 2nd seed in A-10 Tournament

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:20:51 +0000

Patriots named co-regular season champions, earning 2nd seed in A-10 Tournament Katarina Benson Mon, 03/02/2026 - 13:20

The 911�� women's basketball team has captured a share of the 2026 Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship—the first regular season conference title in program history. The Patriots closed league play with a program-best 16-2 conference record, marking their strongest Atlantic 10 ever.

911�� shares the title with Rhode Island after both teams finished atop the A-10 standings. The 16 conference victories set a new school record and cap one of the most successful seasons in program history. The championship also marks another major milestone, as the Patriots secure their first-ever stretch of three consecutive 20-win seasons—a testament to the sustained excellence being built at 911��.

The Mason women's team finished with their best record. Photo by Matt Durisko/Magnolia Media PA

By virtue of their regular season finish and conference tie-breaker protocol, the Patriots have earned the No. 2 seed and a double-bye in the 2026 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship. 911�� will open tournament play in the quarterfinal round on Friday, March 6, at 5 p.m. on USA Network, facing either No. 7 Dayton or No. 10 George Washington.

Join the Patriots at the Henrico Sports & Events Center as they look to repeat as Atlantic 10 Champions during the 2026 Atlantic 10 Tournament. Tickets are available through the 911�� Ticket Office; visit Ticketmaster or call the Athletic Ticket Office at 703-993-3270.

Need a ride? Hop on the fan bus and join the pregame pep rally inside the arena one hour before each game. To save your seat on the fan bus, email Jeff Danaher. Register for the pregame pep rally through the 911�� Alumni Association.

Learn more about the Mason Women's Basketball Team

College of Education and Human Development launches initiative to strengthen Virginia’s educator workforce

Katarina Benson — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:04:24 +0000

College of Education and Human Development launches initiative to strengthen Virginia’s educator workforce Katarina Benson Mon, 02/23/2026 - 11:04

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at 911�� is kicking off Future Ready Teachers, a new initiative designed to strengthen Virginia’s educator workforce by removing financial barriers, innovating and elevating teacher preparation, and supporting teachers from entry through their early years in the classroom.

Future Ready Teachers responds to a growing challenge in Virginia and across the nation: Too many aspiring educators step away from the profession—or leave it early—due to cost, limited early-career support, and salaries that often do not align with the cost of living. The result is a teacher shortage that disproportionately affects high-poverty, rural, and high-need schools, limiting PK–12 students’ access to stable, high-quality learning environments. With deep regional partnerships and a strong track record of preparing effective educators, 911�� is positioned to deliver a scalable, high-impact solution.

Future Ready Teachers supports future educators. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“At 911��, we believe every aspiring educator deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of financial barriers or the realities of sustaining a career in teaching today,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of CEHD. “Future Ready Teachers reflects our responsibility to address the nation’s teacher shortage by investing not only in access, but in forward-looking innovative preparation, sustained support, and long-term success in the profession.”

The urgency is clear. Eighty-six percent of U.S. public schools report hiring challenges due to a lack of qualified applicants, with Virginia reporting more than 3,600 teacher vacancies in 2024-25. Each Future Ready Teachers scholar represents a stable classroom and hundreds of students reached over a career, strengthening schools and communities across the commonwealth.

“Teacher preparation is the cornerstone of educational excellence,” said Audra Parker, director of CEHD’s Office of Teacher Preparation. “When we invest in teachers and teacher preparation, we’re investing in the lives of students who will shape tomorrow’s future.”

The initiative focuses on three priorities: removing financial barriers, advancing teacher preparation for evolving classrooms demands, and supporting educators beyond graduation. Funds raised will provide full-ride and cost-of-living scholarships and sustain a rigorous model that integrates structured mentorship, a three-year induction program, and preparation for technology-enabled, data-rich learning environments, positioning teaching as a rigorous, future-ready profession designed to attract and retain top talent.

This comprehensive approach positions Future Ready Teachers as more than a scholarship effort; It is a workforce strategy designed to increase teacher retention, reduce preventable turnover, and strengthen long-term classroom stability.

“Future Ready Teachers represents a bold commitment to every child, every classroom, and every future,” said Guerra-López. “It is an investment in people and in the long-term strength and stability of our education system.”

This initiative supports the Advancing 21st-Century Education for All solution of 911��'s Grand Challenge Initiative

Future Ready Teachers is part of the Mason Now campaign.

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