Faculty/Staff Newsletter

In his new book, Dream School, Jeffrey Selingo identifies George Mason University as a Breakout Regional. According to Selingo, "George Mason's graduation rate of 70% exceeds expectations by two percentage points, given the rates of other institution serving similar student populations. Meanwhile, the school maintains a 90% acceptance rate which keeps its program quite accessible." Congratulations and thank you to all who make this a dream school!

Becoming a Fellow is both a mark of distinction and a recognition of commitment to advancing the field of health administration. For Cantiello, it reflects years of scholarship, leadership, and service.

Interdisciplinary teams of students from GCH, HAP, and SW sweep the awards with actionable plan to address sexually transmitted infections in young adults. Juliet Bonnah and Sai Sankeerthana Thatini (pictured) won gold. 

The Challenge is an open innovation program focused on accelerating breakthrough technologies in alignment with evolving strategic priorities for public health, national security, and medical resilience. In 2026, the spotlight is on biotech and medical innovation, showcasing advances in diagnostics, therapeutics, bioengineering, digital health, and medical readiness. Areas of interest include Next-generation diagnostics and biosensors; Medical devices, wearables, and remote monitoring; Digital health and AI-enabled care solutions; Personalized medicine and precision health and more. Proposal due October 24. Learn more.

NOURISH is an NIH crowdsourcing competition focused on generating innovative ideas on how to best integrate diet and nutrition studies into autoimmune disease research. Total prizes are $150,000. Submissions are being accepted from September 23-December 4. Learn more.

The following opportunities are due this week, but researchers can review the requirements with an eye toward future announcements. 

You may already be familiar with M365 Copilot Chat, but have you also tried PatriotAI? Both are secure, FERPA-compliant AI platforms available to George Mason faculty, staff and students. PatriotAI agents support student learning and research, and help students navigate campus services. Also on PatriotAI, Syllabright and Classroom Tech Agent helps faculty design their courses. Explore both platforms to see how George Mason’s AI tools can support your work, research, and teaching.

There are two versions of Copilot. Do not use the free version when working with FERPA-protected data. Log into the Enterprise-licensed version at https://office.com/chat. Your full GMU email address is your username.

Due October 3 | Learn more

ASPPH invites submissions for the 2026 ASPPH Annual Meeting for Academic Public Health, which will be held March 18-20 in Arlington, VA. This premier event brings together leaders, educators, and students from across the academic public health community to explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations.

The College hopes to have an impressive showing at this conference, so please consider submitting and encouraging your students to submit.

Proposals that showcase innovative ideas, promising practices, and practical solutions that address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing academic public health today are highly encouraged.

There are seven program areas in the call, and of particular interest are how schools and programs are demonstrating the responsible and ethical use of AI and technology, mobilizing to address public health challenges, and supporting and implementing the values of institutional excellence across academic public health.

This is a unique opportunity to share your experience and insights with peers and help shape the future of undergraduate and graduate public health education, research, and practice. For more details and to submit your proposal, visit the Call for Proposals page. 

Supervisors are encouraged to join an interactive session focused on faculty and staff engagement. Participants will actively take part in discussions surrounding Gallup survey engagement data, current best practices, and will learn new strategies to enhance the faculty and staff experience.

September 16 | 11 am - 12:30 pm | The Hub, Meeting Room 1 | Register on MasonLEAPS

November 12 | 2 - 3 pm | Virtual | Register on MasonLEAPS

September 25 | 4:30 - 6 pm | PHC Multipurpose Room | Register to receive free popcorn

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to view An Optimist's Guide to the Planet. Iulia Fratila and Amy Page will facilitate a discussion after the movie. View the flyer here.

September 30 | 3 – 5 pm | FUSE 1st Floor
October 15 | 3 – 5 pm | FUSE 1st Floor
RSVP here

Learn more about the research being conducted in Fuse on the Grand Challenges with Research Lightning Talks (3 mins each) and networking reception with faculty and students.  

October 6 | 1–6 pm | Johnson Center Bookstore
October 7 | 9 am–3 pm | Johnson Center Bookstore

The Bookstore will be hosting a doctoral regalia event from Oak Hill Cap & Gown for students, faculty, and staff who wish to purchase regalia. Faculty and staff will receive a discount on regalia purchases. 

September 15 | 12 pm Speaker, 1 pm Lunch | PHC Multipurpose Room | RSVP 

The CPH Steps Challenge results for the first week of walking have been tallied! NFS is first out of the gate as leading unit and T Rebmann logged the most steps as an individual walker. 

Reporting for September 8-15 is due today by 11:59 pm. All CPH employees can join in—this includes adjuncts, GRAs, and wage staff. Report your preceding week’s steps here.

In the Steps Challenge, participants may walk anywhere, anytime, within each weekly time frame, counting their steps, and then report the steps they’ve walked by midnight the immediately following Monday. 

Tuesdays | 12 pm | PHC Multipurpose Room

This week, Yoga will begin being held in the PHC Multipurpose Room. For any questions, contact Cathy Tompkins (ctompkin@gmu.edu).

September 15 | 6:30–7:30 pm | Virtual

Sessions will feature updates on CPH happenings, engagement and recognition efforts, and Q&A opportunities. 

Voting closes September 17 | Vote here

Your input is shaping the future of our Staff Council! We need your voice!  The Voting Form for the bylaws is open from September 1-17. Review the bylaws here. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Allie McKay at amckay4@gmu.edu.  

September 19 |12-12:30 pm | Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93385257746

John Cantiello: How I Improved My Process Improvement Course Using Simulation and Co-Production

Vanessa Chee: Spiral Curriculum

Join faculty members as they share a classroom practice or their research in five short minutes. Stay tuned to the newsletter for additional information on the presenters and their topics.

Feedback due September 21

The College of Public Health Strategic Plan Steering Committee invites you to review and share your feedback on the draft of our new five-year strategic plan. Whether you have questions or ideas, we encourage thoughtful, solution-oriented input. Explore the full draft here and summary slides here, and use this form to submit your feedback. 

Join the Stearns Center for its 17th annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning conference themed “Teaching for the Future: AI, Analog, and Beyond!” The conference will take place virtually (via Zoom) on September 25 and in-person at the Johnson Center in Dewberry Hall on September 26. Register by September 19.  

September 30 | 12:30-3:15 pm | Virtual | Register here

Join health care professionals for a virtual half-day event exploring how innovation and collaboration can drive a smarter, more effective health care system. 

Through real-world examples and local strategies, speakers will showcase the power of data-driven insights and intentional use of AI to reduce disparities and deliver care that is responsive to the needs of patients, families and care teams. CME, nursing contact hours, and GMU CEU available.

PUBLICHEALTH.GMU.EDU

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Questions or comments about the newsletter? Email mcunni7@gmu.edu.