Mason Now: Power the Possible

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on 911��’s campuses

lclarkg — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:36:55 +0000

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on 911��’s campuses lclarkg Thu, 10/22/2026 - 10:36

911��’s Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) empowers students to navigate barriers to academic success and well-being through advocacy, holistic support, inclusive services, and prevention education—fostering resilience, safety, stability, and lifelong success for students.

The center recently honored its 10th anniversary with a series of events, including a donation drive to benefit one of its key services: the Patriot Pantry, which provides access to nonperishable food and hygiene items to 911�� students who are experiencing food insecurity. The “End Hunger Games” competition brought the campus community together for a common cause and highlighted the work SSAC does to address food insecurity.

The Student Support and Advocacy Center hosted the "End Hunger Games" donation drive to support the Patriot Pantry. At the wrap-up event, attendees relished in the spoils of victory and celebrated the successful initiative with carnival games. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Each team in the competition was assigned a specific item to donate. The Office of University Branding was dubbed "District Black Bean." Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“The purpose of the event was to demonstrate that anyone can be a part of addressing food insecurity on our campuses,” said John Eichler, coordinator for Basic Needs Services in SSAC.

Twenty-six teams participated across the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square, representing university offices, departments, and student organizations. Each team was assigned a specific nonperishable food item or hygiene product to collect for the pantry.

As a result, 1,730 pounds of nonperishable food items and hygiene products were collected during the month-long donation period. The Office of University Branding claimed first place in the competition, collecting a total of 500 pounds of black beans.

“Students often feel they face food insecurity alone,” said Eichler. “Creating a campus-wide event brings more visibility to college students’ hunger and lets students know there is a community that strives to support their right to basic needs like food.”

With the large influx of donations through the End Hunger Games, community members can support the Patriot Pantry in the following ways:

Donate to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund and the Patriot Pantry Expansion Fund;
Order still-needed items from the Amazon wish lists for the Fairfax and Mason Square pantries. Ship directly to the pantry address included on the wish list, or drop off items in the donation bins on the Fairfax Campus, Student Union Building I, Room 3011, or at Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Room 211;
Sign up to receive information about individual or group volunteer opportunities with the Patriot Pantry. Contact pantry@gmu.edu with questions.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

More about the Student Support and Advocacy Center

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Topics

Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC)

University Life Mason Square

Office of University Branding

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Campus News

Faculty and Staff News

One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava

Katarina Benson — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:43:25 +0000

One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava  Katarina Benson Thu, 10/22/2026 - 08:43

In July, 911�� alumnus Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94, was elected rector of 911��’s Board of Visitors (BOV), after previously serving as vice rector. Shrivastava is president and CEO of federal consulting and software development company Unissant. He has served in many capacities at 911��, including past chair of the 911�� Foundation Board of Trustees and past president of the Alumni Association board. 

You’ve seen 911�� from just about every angle—student, parent, alumnus, employer, philanthropist, leader of various university boards and now as rector. Given all those vantage points, what do you find most remarkable about 911��?

Every vantage point has opened my eyes to how much 911�� is doing, how comprehensive it is, how deep we are. What’s amazing me right now, even as rector with just a few months of seeing from this perspective, is how much more there is still to discover. At the Grand Challenge Initiative Exchange Day in September, every time I’d run into a faculty member, I found myself exposed to another new capability, and then it makes me want to keep exploring.

Rector Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94. Photo by William T. Gallagher

You moved to the United States when you were 5, and you were a working parent while earning your MBA here. How is your story similar to many 911�� students, and how does that inform the work you do on behalf of the university?

That story is part of the core ethos of 911�� from its beginning. When I talk to our Golden Patriots, who graduated 50 or more years ago, you hear the same stories. We've always been this sort of heads-down, high work ethic university. The fact that we started as a commuter school is something we embrace. It's something that builds on who we are, because it meant that we were always highly relevant to industry. We were always delivering talent.

As rector, you lead the Board of Visitors, a group with extensive experience in business, technology, education, finance, real estate, law, government, and a host of other areas. What are the board’s goals for the university at this pivotal time in higher education?

Almost all of us have a direct relationship with 911�� whether as a corporate partner, philanthropist, engagement in one of the centers, programming, or research. That has allowed us to step into our respective roles and be running right away. I think a primary focus right now is to understand the current aspects of how 911�� is operating, in the context of the broader challenges that higher education is facing and then being the best advocates and supporters for the strategy that President Washington and the team are implementing to move through those challenges. In doing so, it’s also our responsibility to make sure we're challenging assumptions and creating the environment for positive and effective dialogue amongst all stakeholders—especially strategically.

As an employer who hires interns and graduates from 911��, what are the critical skills that our graduates need to be successful?

A 911�� student is typically one that is juggling jobs, family, life, and studying, all at the same time. They aren't single threaded. And that already brings with it a lot of character, a lot of discipline, a lot of the basics and foundational things you want in an employee. The Mason Core highlights the importance of critical thinking, the importance of working in an environment where you're running into people from all sorts of backgrounds. Some people call those soft skills. I heard someone use the term “enduring skills,” and I really like that because those really are the things that you carry with you, no matter what technical skills or degrees you pick up along the way. It’s also important to make sure that we’re training people to learn how to learn so they understand how to evolve with change and how to augment that with the capability that is coming forward now, especially in the world of AI.

You’ve been actively involved in many George Mason launches and expansion efforts. What impact do you see our responsive growth and our centers and institutes having on the region?

They're critical. By default, they tend to be interdisciplinary. They're developed with a high degree of collaboration with industry input. We’ve seen that recently with the launch of the Virginia Quantum Hub. The relevance to local industry and employers in the region comes in the form of the way we're training students through programs from centers, the way we're doing research coordinated through centers, and delivering thought leadership into that industry. And then the convening capability, because academic institutions have a great role to convene government, industry, academia, all in one place, and be sort of a safe space for the kind of conversations you have to have, especially about things like grand challenges.

You and vice rector Anne Altman for years now have led the fundraising efforts for what would be the university’s first building devoted solely to the business school. What would the benefit be to the Costello College of Business, and what would the benefit be to the region and state?

The Costello College of Business enrolls more than 5,000 undergraduates and 800 graduate students. A modern, purpose-built home with smart classrooms and labs for AI, analytics, fintech, and risk management will match the space to the quality of the school. It also positions our Centers of Excellence under one roof, including the Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship, and the Baroni Center for Government Contracting, so students, faculty and industry leaders can work side by side. The Northern Virginia Technology Council estimates more than 130,000 open jobs in our region, and 87% of Costello's 44K+ alumni stay here, generating an estimated $360 million in economic impact across the DMV. The new Innovation and Workforce Exchange will bring workforce development, executive education, career services, and those centers together in one hub where employers can upskill their people, connect with students and encourage lifelong learning. Anne and I, along with the more than 220 business leaders from 168 companies who already advise Costello, see this building as a strategic investment in Virginia's workforce and competitiveness, and in 911��'s role as one of the commonwealth's strongest engines of economic opportunity.

911�� is about two-thirds of the way to its goal in Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign. What would you say to fellow business leaders and alumni who are considering supporting 911��?

My first question would be—why haven’t you? The dollar you put into 911�� has such reverberating effects that go far beyond a dollar put into other institutions. As a comprehensive campaign, we are making it clear to anyone considering supporting the university that there are many, many ways that you can impact the community through this campaign. But to me what it really boils down to is the role that 911�� has in this community for the last 50 years, delivering an ROI that is at the top tier nationally. It’s kind of a unicorn. At scale, to be able to have an upward mobility story that we do, to be able to have the corporate and industry integration that we do, is remarkable. We were built by industry as an institution. We continue to be supported by that integration with industry. To my friends in the community who are not alums, my pitch to them is: This is the region that raised us. This is where our parents decided to settle. This is where you’re raising your families. And this is the institution that made Northern Virginia what it is today. We can't achieve our vision if we don't have this strong standalone university here in Northern Virginia.

Topics

Campus News

Board of Visitors

Alumni

Costello College of Business

Mason Now: Power the Possible

911�� breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center

Katarina Benson — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:49:47 +0000

911�� breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center Katarina Benson Wed, 10/21/2026 - 12:49

911�� celebrated a major milestone for the future of Athletics today with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Basketball and Academic Performance Center (BAPC), a transformational project that will elevate student-athlete development, enhance academic support services, and strengthen Patriots Basketball.

Located at the northwest corner of the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC), the approximately 34,000-square-foot facility will serve as the future home of 911��'s men's and women's basketball programs while expanding academic resources that benefit more than 500 Patriots student-athletes across all 22 sports. The center is expected to be completed in spring 2028.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together university leadership, student-athletes, alumni, supporters, community partners, and donors to celebrate the next phase of a project that reflects 911��'s continued investment in competitive excellence and holistic student-athlete development.

“Today we're not just breaking ground on a building. We're actually strengthening a promise and we have been defined by our momentum,” President Gregory Washington said, noting that the idea of the BAPC originated 20 years ago, when the men's basketball team went to the Final Four. "We're going to build a championship culture in every sport, and we're going to invest in getting support like we're building champions."

Rendering of the BAPC exterior. Illustration by Perkins&Will

“Today represents an exciting step forward for 911�� Athletics and the future of our student-athletes," said Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis. "The Basketball and Academic Performance Center is much more than a basketball facility. It is an investment in people, providing the resources, support systems, and environment that will allow our student-athletes to thrive academically, athletically, and personally. This project demonstrates our commitment to competing at the highest level while delivering a world-class student-athlete experience.”

Designed by Perkins&Will and constructed by Doyle Construction, the BAPC project includes a multi-story addition and renovation to the RAC, creating a modern facility designed to support student-athletes through every aspect of their collegiate experience. The center will feature two dedicated basketball practice courts, coaching staff suites, locker rooms, student-athlete lounges, strength and conditioning areas, athletic training space, and approximately 4,000 square feet of academic support space.

Marvin Lewis at the BAPC groundbreaking. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The Academic Services suite will serve student-athletes from all varsity programs, providing study areas, tutor rooms, collaborative learning spaces, and staff offices. The facility will replace the academic support trailers and create a centralized hub focused on academic achievement and student success.

As NOVA's Team, 911�� Athletics serves as a prominent gateway to the university, connecting students, alumni, supporters, businesses, and community leaders across Northern Virginia. The new center will strengthen that platform while creating opportunities for continued growth and engagement throughout the region.

The BAPC is a key philanthropic priority for 911�� Athletics. Naming opportunities and other investment options remain available throughout the project. To learn more about supporting the Basketball and Academic Performance Center, contact the Patriot Club.

"The momentum behind this project reflects the belief our alumni, donors, and supporters have in the future of 911�� Athletics," Lewis added. "We're grateful for everyone who has helped bring this vision to life and look forward to welcoming future generations of Patriots into this facility."

For more information on the BAPC, contact the Patriot Club at masonpc@gmu.edu or visit the Future is Now BAPC Information Page.

Power the Possible

911�� Athletics

Topics

Campus News

Athletics

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Mason Arts Draw Crowds and Support at 2026 ARTS by George!

Laura Mertens — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:27:26 +0000

Mason Arts Draw Crowds and Support at 2026 ARTS by George! Laura Mertens Mon, 10/12/2026 - 11:27

911��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) celebrated the 21st annual ARTS by George! benefit event on October 3, raising $400,000 to support student scholarships and Mason Arts programs. The event, headlined by actor and musician Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, brought the total raised through ARTS by George! to more than $5 million since the event began in 2006.

L to R: Dean Rick Davis and Jeff Goldblum address guests onstage after Goldblum's headlining performance during the 21st ARTS by George! event on October 3, 2026 on the stage of the Center for the Arts Concert Hall on the Fairfax Campus of 911��. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

Funds raised support of student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, and arts management, as well as programs including the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts.

L to R: President Gregory Washington, Jeff Goldblum, and Nicole Washington pose together backstage after Goldblum's headlining performance during the 21st ARTS by George! event. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

“We take tremendous pride in 911�� serving as the cultural hub of our region,” 911�� President Gregory Washington said at the event. “When you come out here today and you support these artists, and you supported our students earlier today, you are not just supporting an individual going through a program. You are literally becoming a part of someone’s life. You have impacted them in a way that they will, quite frankly, never, ever forget.”

Green and Gold Soul, of 911��'s Green Machine Ensembles, performed on Wilkins Plaza to welcome guests as they arrived at the 21st ARTS by George! event on October 3, 2026, on the Fairfax Campus of 911��. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

Throughout the evening, more than 270 CVPA students and faculty presented a wide variety of performances and exhibits. Arriving guests were welcomed to the festivities by lively music from Green Machine’s Green & Gold Soul on Wilkins Plaza. The School of Theater offered a preview of their fall production of Urinetown, while students from the School of Music captivated audiences with jazz, piano, opera, and symphonic works. At the Virginia Serious Game Institute showcase, guests played games created by Computer Game Design students and watched virtual reality demonstrations, including a tour of a state-of-the-art nanofabrication lab.

Guests watched student films in the specially designed screening room during the 21st ARTS by George! event. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

Just down the hall, the School of Art and Mason Exhibitions collaborated to create an interactive gallery space featuring prints, sketches, and handmade books, where student and alumni artists discussed their work. A screening room showing films from students in the Film and Video Studies Program drew guests who sat down, slipped on headphones, and quickly became absorbed in the stories unfolding in front of them. School of Dance students and faculty packed their studio with performances that included “Without,” a moving work choreographed by School of Dance Professor Shaun Boyle D’Arcy that explored the nature of grief. And alumni from the Arts Management program reconnected with friends and faculty alike, posing for photos throughout the event, and offering guests an opportunity to create miniature art for a Free Little Art Gallery.

Freshman students from the School of Dance performed during the 21st ARTS by George! event in the deLaski Performing Arts Building. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

Alumna Adelina Mitchell. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

As the showcases wrapped up, guests gathered at the Center for the Arts, where this year’s distinguished alumni performer Adelina Mitchell sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a nod to her own involvement in the Wicked universe, as well as to “the Wizard” himself, Jeff Goldblum. She told guests that the support she received from 911�� played a key role in her success. “Having access to that scholarship was the sole reason I began working professionally as quickly as I did in 2019. That is exactly what scholarship support can do. It gives young artists a way in, and a way forward.”

Following Mitchell’s performance, CVPA Dean Rick Davis led the annual Fund-A-Student appeal, which raised more than $83,000.

Dean Rick Davis of the 911��'s College of Visual and Performing Arts encouraged the crowd to support student success by donating to the "Fund a Student" appeal. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra took the Center for the Arts stage at 8:30 p.m., where—before opening with the rousing number “Grease Patrol”—Goldblum told the audience about his own lifelong passion both the arts, which, he said, “saved my life.” Over the following 90 minutes, Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra entertained the crowd as jazz vocalist Khailah Johnson occasionally joined in on songs that included “If I Only Had A Brain” and “Mean To Me.” In one of the night’s highlights, Goldblum invited three CVPA students, saxophonist Jeremy Fagen, vibraphonist Phillip Todd, and guitarist Silas Lewis, to perform with him and the orchestra during “The Kicker,” where each delivered solos that brought down the house.

L to R: Jeff Goldblum shares a laugh with Silas Lewis, Phillip Todd, Kenny Elliott, and Jeremy Fagen. Fagen, Todd, and Lewis are all current students at 911��. Photo by Cable Risdon/Risdon Photography

The evening’s program concluded with an onstage champagne toast, during which Goldblum and Davis mingled with CVPA students and faculty as well as with ARTS by George! guests and supporters, including snapping selfies and sharing hugs.

“There was a special feeling at this year’s ARTS by George!—you could sense it from the earliest student showcases,” said Davis. “With the record-breaking paddle raise for scholarships to Jeff Goldblum’s delightful performance and generous after-show remarks, a palpable excitement grew throughout the evening. We believe the arts create community, and this year’s event served as Exhibit A for that case.”

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Power the Possible

Learn more

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Rick Davis

Shaun Boyle D'Arcy

Topics

Mason Arts

Center for the Arts

CFA

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

ARTS by George

Campus News

Scholarships

Mason Now: Power the Possible

philanthropy

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms

ckearney — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 20:16:20 +0000

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms ckearney Thu, 10/08/2026 - 16:16

Quantum technologies are poised to transform computing, communications, and national security. At 911��, faculty are working to ensure students do not have to wait until college to begin imagining themselves as part of that future.

Through a growing series of professional development opportunities, 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) is partnering with K-12 educators to make quantum science approachable, relevant, and practical for students.

That work accelerated this summer, when educators participated in a three-day professional learning experience supported by the National Science Foundation-funded Quantum in the Middle initiative and the Booz Allen Foundation’s TechXplore initiative. Led by faculty from 911��’s College of Science and College of Education and Human Development, the program helped teachers explore quantum concepts, consider age-appropriate approaches for their classrooms, and examine how quantum learning can build from elementary school through higher education.

911�� physics professor Jessica Rosenberg talks to area educators at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

“We’re building pathways into quantum and connecting them to the standards and curriculum teachers already use,” said Jessica Rosenberg, professor of physics and astronomy and QSEC director of education. “We want students to encounter these ideas early, build the knowledge they’ll need over time, and be ready for quantum opportunities when they reach college or pursue quantum-adjacent technical careers.”

Teachers are central to developing that pathway. Summer participants explored classroom activities and were invited to test them with their students, giving 911�� faculty an opportunity to learn directly from educators about what works in real classrooms.

“We’re developing a roadmap educators can use from elementary through high school, but we’re developing it with teachers, not simply for them,” said Nancy Holincheck, associate professor of STEM education and QSEC associate director of education. “Their experience and feedback help us identify activities that spark curiosity, build confidence, and give students the foundation to see themselves in future quantum careers.”

Teachers try out some experiments at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

That teacher-focused effort continued this fall with Quantum in Your Classroom, a one-day professional development workshop on 911��’s Fairfax Campus. Designed for educators with no previous quantum experience, the workshop introduced quantum concepts and provides classroom resources for grades 6-12. Teachers explored quantum processes through activities including a simple polarization experiment and received curriculum materials adaptable for elementary and secondary classrooms.

Rosenberg and Holincheck want to extend this effort beyond individual workshops or lessons. They envision an educational pathway that allows a student’s first encounter with quantum science to grow into deeper learning, higher education, and ultimately participation in an emerging workforce.

Quantum in Your Classroom gives educators a place to start, while giving 911�� researchers something equally valuable—the perspective of teachers who understand how students learn and can help shape how the quantum workforce journey begins.

By putting teachers at the center of that work, 911�� is helping quantum education reach students where their curiosity begins: in the classroom.

Learn more about Quantum at 911��

Power the Possible

Topics

Campus News

quantum

Quantum Science and Engineering Center

College of Education and Human Development

K-12 Partnerships

College of Science

philanthropy

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Board of Visitors members approve six-year operating plan and get updates on AI, Grand Challenge Initiative, quantum, enrollment and athletics

ckearney — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:47:31 +0000

Board of Visitors members approve six-year operating plan and get updates on AI, Grand Challenge Initiative, quantum, enrollment and athletics ckearney Wed, 10/07/2026 - 14:47

At the October 1 911�� Board of Visitors meeting, President Gregory Washington laid out his eight “bold bets” for managing the financial, technological, demographic, and political shocks affecting higher education and discussed a bridge period between the end of the current strategic plan and the implementation of a new Strategic Roadmap by April 2027.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The eight bold bets, also known as 911�� 2036, include further responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI); exploring three-year degrees; developing a College of Lifelong Education; building curricula with employers; forming a global digital and physical campus encompassing the Virginia campuses, Korea, and the Gulf region; establishing a new budget model that is less tuition-dependent; faculty shifting from lecturing to more mentoring and research; and establishing the Lab-to-Launch initiative to leverage the region’s Innovation Districts to create companies and jobs.

In its first full meeting of the 2026-27 academic year, the BOV also approved the university’s six-year operating plan.

“A record year bought us time and credibility,” Washington said. “It did not buy us a sustainable path forward. We are doing what we can to push against the tide. But it is a strong tide.”

Washington detailed the university’s solid financial footing amid flat or declining revenue streams and the financial effect of steeply declining international graduate enrollment brought on by federal regulations on foreign students. Undergraduate enrollment, philanthropy, and state support increased.

More details are available in the posted BOV materials or the recorded livestream.

Aurali Dade, interim vice president of research, innovation, and economic impact, reported that research proposals increased by 10.5% from FY25 to FY26 and proposal dollars increased by 13.3% during that span. Research expenditures, however, dropped 23.6% to $156 million.

In year-over-year comparisons of August FY26 and August FY27, research proposal dollars nearly doubled to $171.2 million and award dollars grew by 29.4% to $46.2 million. Research expenditures dropped 17.4% to $32.6 million

“911��’s research enterprise remains strong and competitive with faculty pursuing larger, more ambitious projects and positioning the university for continued growth in the years ahead despite the tough external environment,” Dade said.

“Our faculty are to be commended,” Washington said. “The story that you hear nationally is discouraging in terms of going out and seeking awards and working on proposals. We have actually continued to be aggressive and write more proposals and have some success in terms of awards. All of that, in my opinion, shows a cohort that is dedicated to the profession and worthy of our support.”

Dade also discussed the seven Grand Challenge Initiative catalyst awards as the university enters the second year of the GCI. Campus community members and potential partners are invited to register for the Grand Challenge Lightning Talks and Matchmaking Mixer on November 10.

Lauren Bird, associate vice president for development, reported that the Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign has surpassed $688 million toward its $1 billion goal.

“Momentum is being driven by growing confidence from donors, alumni, corporate partners and the broader community,” Bird said. “These investments are helping accelerate our strategic opportunities and strengthen our impact across the commonwealth and beyond.”

College of Science Dean Cody Edwards gave a presentation on the strategic opportunities that quantum technology offers through the Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) and a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant that establishes the Virginia Quantum Hub based at the university, part of 911��’s charge to connect talent, research, infrastructure, partners and capital into a quantum ecosystem.

Last month the university announced a partnership with Oxford-based TreQ and Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) to bring a $7.7 million open-architecture quantum computing system to Virginia, the first in the state and the National Capital Region.

Washington and QSEC Executive Director Patrick Vora took part in the Washington Post’s “Building America: Quantum Innovation” program, another recent 911�� quantum highlight. In addition, the university this fall launched the state’s first interdisciplinary master’s degree in quantum science and engineering.

“The question is no longer whether Mason should be in quantum,” said Edwards, a keynote at the recent Quantum World Congress. “The question is how we turn that advantage that we've created into something that is durable, distinctive, and something that is nationally consequential. The institutions and regions that lead …will be the ones that build an ecosystem around all of the existing components.”

Edwards said Virginia has a combination of assets that bolsters its potential in quantum—strong research universities, proximity to numerous federal agencies, and burgeoning technology corridors.

“When you look at the states that are currently leading an investment in quantum, most of those states are attempting to replicate pieces of what already exists in the DMV,” Edwards said.

The Access to Excellence podcast with President Washington, Vora, and TreQ CEO and Founder Mandy Birch will be available Oct. 12.

At the Academic Affairs Committee meeting on September 16, Provost and Executive Vice President Marion Underwood reported that the university conferred 10,182 degrees during the 2025-26 academic year, 82% to Virginia residents, and she added that 911�� had again earned a Silver ranking as a Military Friendly® School for the 2026-27 academic year.

David Burge, senior vice president for enrollment and student achievement, citing enrollment figures as of September 3, said that the university has an undergraduate enrollment of 29,966, graduate enrollment of 9,576, and 710 law students for a total of 40,252 students, including a 911�� record for new transfer student enrollment (3,212). Thirty percent of the incoming class (1,283) enrolled via direct admissions. Official and final enrollment numbers will be available later in the fall. Burge also mentioned the university’s national search for a dean of admissions. He is serving in that role in an interim capacity. He said the goal is to fill the position by the end of the calendar year.

Amarda Shehu, vice president and chief AI officer, presented on the proposed AI fluency designation that would integrate AI competencies into undergraduate academic programs across disciplines to best prepare 911�� graduates for the workforce.

Women’s basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, entering her sixth season, addressed the Athletics Committee meeting on September 16, sharing insights on the turnaround of the program. She inherited a team that had gone winless in the Atlantic 10 Conference the previous year and has since led the Patriots to a 99-58 record and three postseason berths.

The Patriots won the A10 tournament title in 2024-25, posting a school-record 27 wins and earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth. The team was A10 regular season champs in 2025-26.

“We raised expectations, and belief became results,” Blair-Lewis told the board. “I truly believe we can redefine what is possible. With the right culture and the right people and proper financial support we do not have to set limitations because of how we are classified. We can recruit, train, develop, and win at a high level.”

She added that the Basketball Academic Performance Center groundbreaking on October 20 represents a commitment to 911�� basketball.

“Facilities do not win games by themselves,” Blair-Lewis said. "But they do help create an environment where winning can be sustained.”

Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, reported that 911�� athletes achieved a school-record 3.45 collective GPA during the spring season and a 90% graduation rate. Thirteen programs finished in the top half of the conference.

Power the Possible

Explore AI at 911��

Topics

Campus News

Board of Visitors

Athletics

Artificial Intelligence

Admissions

Strategic Direction

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Take your Patriot Pride on the road with a 911�� license plate

lclarkg — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:04:11 +0000

Take your Patriot Pride on the road with a 911�� license plate lclarkg Tue, 08/25/2026 - 10:04

Show your Patriot pride every mile of the journey: New 911�� license plates are now available through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and every license plate purchase helps support student scholarships.

Two 911�� license plate designs are available at select Northern Virginia DMV locations and online. As part of a revenue-sharing program, $15 of every $25 license plate fee goes straight to 911�� student scholarships. Plates can be personalized for an additional $10 annually.

Anyone registering a vehicle in Virginia can purchase a 911�� license plate. Alumni, faculty, staff, current students, community members—all are welcome to make their vehicles stand out as All Together Different.

The first 911�� license plate was released in 1996, and by 2025, the program had raised more than $346,000 for 911�� student scholarships. Under a new agreement with DMV, license plate proceeds will be directed to the 911�� Foundation, enabling matching funds to be applied that can amplify the impact of the scholarship donations. Scholarships will be awarded by the 911�� Alumni Association.

“These license plates are a wonderful way for our alumni and friends to share what George Mason University means to them,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of university advancement and alumni relations and president of the George Mason University Foundation. “Even better, the license plate campaign provides critical dollars for the scholarships that make a George Mason education accessible for even more students.”

Redesigned by graphic designers in the Office of University Branding, the license plate promotion includes support of partners across 911��, including alumni, Intercollegiate Athletics, Advancement, Parking Services, University Life, and Integrated Enrollment Management.

“Over the past five years, public support for 911�� has soared to record levels. That community pride can now be expressed in a way that directly helps students,” said Paul Allvin, vice president and chief brand officer. “These new plates showcase our new brand expression, which has proven very popular to wear and display since its debut two years ago.”

911�� has grown from a small regional college in the 1970s into Virginia’s largest public research university. 911�� was named to the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) highest tier of Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings, in recognition of the university’s commitment to accessibility, return on investment, and upward mobility—one of only 21 schools in the country to receive this designation.

911�� license plate purchases showcase the Mason Nation’s Patriot Pride and help the next generation of students achieve their dreams. For more ways to support the university, visit Mason Now.

Power the Possible

Topics

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Campus News

Office of University Branding

Alumni

Scholarships

Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis honors family legacy with investment in future engineers

Katarina Benson — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:47:36 +0000

Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis honors family legacy with investment in future engineers Katarina Benson Mon, 08/24/2026 - 12:47

Where can a degree from 911�� take you? For students in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), Board of Visitors member Shawn Chambliss Purvis, MS Information Systems ’99, offers a powerful example.

Purvis is president and CEO of Sabel Systems, a leading provider of digital engineering, acquisition, manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics solutions. Her career spans 30 years of leadership and corporate governance at organizations including QinetiQ US, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and Lockheed Martin.

Purvis and her father. Photo provided

Now, Purvis has made a gift to 911�� that honors one of the exemplars in her life: her father. Established through her generous $50,000 gift, the Spencer Chambliss Sr. Scholarship Endowment will support students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with preference given to student leaders in CEC-affiliated student organizations.

Like Purvis, Spencer Chambliss Sr. was an engineer. A graduate of Norfolk State University in the 1960s, he moved his young family from their hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, to the Northern Virginia region for a position at IBM Federal Systems in the company’s Manassas facility. He worked at IBM for more than 20 years as a chief engineer before retiring.

Purvis recalled her father’s trademark curiosity—and his remarkable ability to repair anything electronic in their family home. “He had a spirit of being able to look at something to understand its interconnections and then be able to go and build it, with this mindset that he could solve anything,” she said. “It’s just bringing the right solutions and the right kind of combinations together to get to the answer you’re trying to reach, whatever it is you’re trying to fix.”

Spencer Chambliss Sr. was an engineer at IBM. Photo provided

Chambliss’s tenacity served him both as a pioneer at IBM, where he designed microchips on a production line, and more broadly. “Both my parents were among the first Black people to integrate IBM,” said Purvis. “It was rare to have a person of color in a technical field, in particular, and to be an engineer in that environment, to show up with professionalism and to be able to handle all that was presented to him. He was a quiet soul; he was patient. He built camaraderie, and he tried to make those who were around him better. It’s something that I will always admire.”

By endowing a scholarship in her father’s name, Purvis hopes to create opportunities for aspiring engineers who share the courage and curiosity that he embodied. The scholarship will help attract and support talented students in electrical and computer engineering while advancing the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program, which aims to expand the number of graduates in computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering.

Purvis’s endowment also supports Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s $1 billion comprehensive campaign to expand student opportunity, strengthen academic and research programs, and address complex challenges facing communities in Virginia and beyond.

“The College of Engineering and Computing is deeply grateful to Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis for this visionary endowment supporting electrical and computer engineering students,” said Dean Kenneth Ball. “This scholarship, which honors her father’s life and work, will open doors to opportunity, easing financial burdens and empowering students to pursue research, internships, innovation, and leadership experiences. Visitor Purvis’s generosity will help talented students thrive, graduate with confidence, and shape the future of engineering and technology.”

A member of the university’s Board of Visitors since January 2026—and previously from 2015 to 2019—Purvis has long supported 911�� students and programs. She is a member of the CEC Advisory Council and has served as a speaker at the college’s degree celebration ceremony. In 2022, she was named CEC Distinguished Alumna, and in 2025, she was inducted into the CEC Academy of Engineering and Computing Excellence as part of its charter class.

Purvis earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Hampton University and a master’s degree in information systems from 911��. Her time at 911�� coincided with former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder’s and then-president George Johnson’s efforts to strengthen technological innovation at the university. “I really liked the idea that Mason was emerging into this next phase: implementing a strategy to produce top technologists in the field of engineering,” she said.

Purvis also valued her campus experience. “It feels like home,” she said of her alma mater. “And when I worked with President [Ángel] Cabrera and now with President [Gregory] Washington, I appreciate the 911�� vision to serve all that desire to further their education. The inclusiveness of 911�� is unprecedented in the state of Virginia.”

Through the Spencer Chambliss Sr. Scholarship Endowment, Purvis is creating a lasting tribute to her father while investing in the next generation of 911�� engineers. Her gift will help students pursue their ambitions, develop as leaders, and carry forward the qualities that defined Chambliss’s life and career. As Purvis said of those who follow, “I hope that they will embody my father’s love for engineering, his passion for helping others and his tenacity to improve the world, one innovation at a time."

Power the Possible

Topics

Campus News

College of Engineering and Computing

philanthropy

Mason Now: Power the Possible

Board of Visitors

Alumni

Athletics celebrates record-breaking year of philanthropic support

Katarina Benson — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:34:27 +0000

Athletics celebrates record-breaking year of philanthropic support Katarina Benson Mon, 08/24/2026 - 09:34

Over the past fiscal year, 911�� Athletics raised a record $4.4 million, the highest fundraising total in department history, topping last year's record $3 million. The milestone represents a significant investment in the future of 911�� Athletics and will provide critical resources that enhance the student-athlete experience, strengthen competitive excellence, and position the department for long-term success.

Athletics reached an all-time fundraising record at $4.4 million.

"Our success is built on the incredible generosity of our alumni, donors, fans, and friends," said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “Surpassing last year's historic total demonstrates the growing momentum behind our mission and the continued strength of NOVA's Team.”

The year's fundraising efforts were punctuated by a historic Giving Day in April when more than 1,200 supporters came together to contribute $2,057,632 in just 24 hours. The total marked the largest single-day fundraising effort in 911�� Athletics history and showcased the collective power of the university community. This philanthropic momentum contributed to Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university's $1 billion comprehensive campaign to expand student opportunity, strengthen academic and research programs, and address complex challenges facing communities in Northern Virginia and beyond.

Patriot Club membership increased from 622 to 926 members, a nearly 50% increase over the previous year. The expansion of the Patriot Club reflects a growing base of supporters committed to providing transformational opportunities for 911�� student-athletes.

Donor support continues to fuel several key initiatives that directly impact student-athlete success across all 22 varsity sports programs. These include:

Basketball Greatness—Advancing championship-level resources for George Mason men's and women's basketball programs through investments in facilities, recruiting, player development, and competitive excellence.
Athletics Opportunity Fund—Providing flexible resources that address the department's greatest needs while enhancing the overall student-athlete experience.
Patriot Pathways—Supporting career development, leadership programming, internships, networking opportunities, and life skills initiatives that prepare student-athletes for success beyond graduation.
Sports Performance Ecosystem—Investing in cutting-edge strength and conditioning programs, sports medicine, nutrition, mental performance, and recovery resources that allow Patriots to perform at their highest level.

The record-breaking fundraising year comes during a period of significant momentum for 911�� Athletics. Philanthropic investments continue to play a vital role in strengthening the department's ability to recruit, develop, and support more than 500 student-athletes.

Learn how you can support 911�� student-athletes through the Patriot Club.

Power the Possible

Topics

Mason Athletics

philanthropy

Mason Now: Power the Possible

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.

Power the Possible

Topics

Campus News

Costello College of Business

Mason Now: Power the Possible

entrepreneurship

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

philanthropy

Mason Now: Power the Possible

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on 911��’s campuses

Topics

One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava

You’ve seen 911�� from just about every angle—student, parent, alumnus, employer, philanthropist, leader of various university boards and now as rector. Given all those vantage points, what do you find most remarkable about 911��?

You moved to the United States when you were 5, and you were a working parent while earning your MBA here. How is your story similar to many 911�� students, and how does that inform the work you do on behalf of the university?

As rector, you lead the Board of Visitors, a group with extensive experience in business, technology, education, finance, real estate, law, government, and a host of other areas. What are the board’s goals for the university at this pivotal time in higher education?

As an employer who hires interns and graduates from 911��, what are the critical skills that our graduates need to be successful?

You’ve been actively involved in many George Mason launches and expansion efforts. What impact do you see our responsive growth and our centers and institutes having on the region?

You and vice rector Anne Altman for years now have led the fundraising efforts for what would be the university’s first building devoted solely to the business school. What would the benefit be to the Costello College of Business, and what would the benefit be to the region and state?

911�� is about two-thirds of the way to its goal in Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign. What would you say to fellow business leaders and alumni who are considering supporting 911��?

Topics

911�� breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center

Related Stories

Topics

Mason Arts Draw Crowds and Support at 2026 ARTS by George!

Related Stories

In This Story

Topics

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms

Related Stories

Topics

Board of Visitors members approve six-year operating plan and get updates on AI, Grand Challenge Initiative, quantum, enrollment and athletics

Related Stories

Topics

Take your Patriot Pride on the road with a 911�� license plate

Read More Like This

Topics

Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis honors family legacy with investment in future engineers

Related Stories

Topics

Athletics celebrates record-breaking year of philanthropic support

Related Stories

Topics

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

Related Stories

Topics

Mason Now: Power the Possible

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on 911����’s campuses

Topics

One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava

You’ve seen 911���� from just about every angle—student, parent, alumnus, employer, philanthropist, leader of various university boards and now as rector. Given all those vantage points, what do you find most remarkable about 911����?

You moved to the United States when you were 5, and you were a working parent while earning your MBA here. How is your story similar to many 911���� students, and how does that inform the work you do on behalf of the university?

As rector, you lead the Board of Visitors, a group with extensive experience in business, technology, education, finance, real estate, law, government, and a host of other areas. What are the board’s goals for the university at this pivotal time in higher education?

As an employer who hires interns and graduates from 911����, what are the critical skills that our graduates need to be successful?

You’ve been actively involved in many George Mason launches and expansion efforts. What impact do you see our responsive growth and our centers and institutes having on the region?

You and vice rector Anne Altman for years now have led the fundraising efforts for what would be the university’s first building devoted solely to the business school. What would the benefit be to the Costello College of Business, and what would the benefit be to the region and state?

911���� is about two-thirds of the way to its goal in Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign. What would you say to fellow business leaders and alumni who are considering supporting 911����?

Topics

911���� breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center

Related Stories

Topics

Mason Arts Draw Crowds and Support at 2026 ARTS by George!

Related Stories

In This Story

Topics

911���� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms

Related Stories

Topics

Board of Visitors members approve six-year operating plan and get updates on AI, Grand Challenge Initiative, quantum, enrollment and athletics

Related Stories

Topics

Take your Patriot Pride on the road with a 911���� license plate

Read More Like This

Topics

Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis honors family legacy with investment in future engineers

Related Stories

Topics

Athletics celebrates record-breaking year of philanthropic support

Related Stories

Topics

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

Related Stories

Topics

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on 911��’s campuses

You’ve seen 911�� from just about every angle—student, parent, alumnus, employer, philanthropist, leader of various university boards and now as rector. Given all those vantage points, what do you find most remarkable about 911��?

You moved to the United States when you were 5, and you were a working parent while earning your MBA here. How is your story similar to many 911�� students, and how does that inform the work you do on behalf of the university?

As an employer who hires interns and graduates from 911��, what are the critical skills that our graduates need to be successful?

911�� is about two-thirds of the way to its goal in Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign. What would you say to fellow business leaders and alumni who are considering supporting 911��?

911�� breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms

Take your Patriot Pride on the road with a 911�� license plate