Faculty/Staff Newsletter

College researchers are embracing AI’s potential while also interrogating it, testing it, and redesigning it to work better for real people. Faculty are building AI tools to detect cancer earlier, support dementia patients, guide students through biostatistics, document evidence of violence, and flag burnout in caregivers—targeting some of public health’s toughest challenges.

Melissa Perry has been recognized for her leadership, innovation, and excellence in public health education. This is also a recognition for the college and its innovation in the Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation.

Congratulations to Social Work for earning Activating Inclusive Excellence at Mason (AIEM) credentials from George Mason's Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning. AIEM recognizes units that have demonstrated their shared commitment to education that supports and includes all students, aligning with the university’s mission and vision around student success. Learn more.

The Department reports the AIEM credential process was helpful for understanding, planning, and implementing best teaching practices. The AIEM learning opportunities helped cultivate a sense of community among the unit, including an appreciation of the overlapping values and opinions about building, maintaining, and improving a culture of inclusive excellence. The process included sessions, which were beneficial because:

Congratulations to our faculty on their 39 newly published articles already this year!  View the publications here.

Are you seeking foundations to fund your research? Here are three lists of potential interest:

NIH has released information on its areas of scientific interest. Visit this resource early and often if you want to align your research ideas.

Discover New Funding Opportunities with Sponsored Programs Information Network (SPIN)

September 10 | 3–4 pm | Virtual | RSVP

Join William DeCocco from InfoEd Global to learn how to unlock the full potential of SPIN, a powerful database featuring 40,000+ grant opportunities from a diverse range of funders. SPIN is free for the George Mason University community. 

Technical Grant Editing Program

George Mason grant seekers can take advantage of free, confidential technical editing for both new and previously reviewed proposals. Drafts will be reviewed by advanced students enrolled in English 483/503 technical editing courses, providing professional-level feedback at no cost. Registration must be submitted by October 17. Learn more. 

Faculty Workshop Series
Faculty can take their academic career to the next level with the Faculty Success Workshop Series, hosted by Faculty Affairs in partnership with Research Development Services (ORIEI). These interactive, virtual workshops tackle the most important topics for faculty growth—equipping them with practical strategies and proven best practices. Learn more.

Is your student presenting their research or research poster at the APHA meeting November 2-5? If so, CPH will cover their registration fee. Reach out to Alison Cuellar (aevanscu@gmu.edu) for details. 

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

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

If you are interested in Zotero training—whether through a workshop or individualized 1:1 session—please reach out to the college’s subject librarian, Elaine Hicks. She will be happy to arrange training tailored to your needs.

Weekly Faculty Writing Community Writing Sprints provide a supportive space for community-building and accountability to help faculty meet their writing goals. Two options:

In-person Tuesday Writing Sprints: Every Tuesday, beginning September 9 | 3-4:30 pm | Fenwick 3001 | RSVP here.

Virtual Friday Writing Sprints: Every Friday beginning September 12 | 9-11 am | no RSVP required | Join here. 

Canvas notifications can overwhelm students. Encourage your students to manage their notifications so that announcements are delivered immediately and less important notifications are set to a digest.

Also, Focused Inbox is turned on by default in George Mason email accounts. This may route Canvas announcements or important emails to an easy-to-miss “Other” tab. Students should disable Focused Inbox on each platform used to access email, including desktop and web platforms and mobile devices.

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

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

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

Last week's reporting due today!

First reporting for September 1-7 due 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.

September 9 | 11 am – 2 pm | Peterson Hall Atrium 

Share with your students! The College of Public Health, in collaboration with Welcome2Mason, will be hosting the Welcome Back event, Passport to the College of Public Health. Students RSVP here. Take a trip around the College of Public Health to meet faculty and staff from the different departments, learn about the degrees and minors offered, visit with student organizations, discover more about academic and career advising, and win prizes.

Returns September 16 | Noon | PHC Multipurpose Room

Class is cancelled September 9. It will return on September 16 in a new location--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. 

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.  

PUBLICHEALTH.GMU.EDU

Access the CPH brand toolkit, including CPH and department logos.

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