Faculty/Staff Newsletter

Michael Bloom, professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, was appointed as a member of the Reproductive, Perinatal, and Pediatric Health Study Section, Population Sciences and Epidemiology Integrated Review Group, which is part of the National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review. 

The growing popularity of easy-to-use artificial intelligence interfaces has reignited discussions about cheating in academics. Academic dishonesty in online learning, however, is a long-standing concern for faculty. To understand the prevalence of cheating and help teachers address it, John Cantiello reviewed the existing literature on the topic.

Dongqing Wang, assistant professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, won the Early Career Research Award Competition at NUTRITION 2024, the American Society for Nutrition’s annual flagship conference, in Chicago, Illinois.

Kristen Alleyne, a first-generation student and University Scholar, participated in the coveted Centers for Disease Control (CDC) John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program in the summer of 2023. Newly graduated, Alleyne is excited to use the knowledge she gained to further promote public health, particularly in marginalized communities.

24/7 Canvas Support, and Other Resources

Spring 2025 is the final semester in which courses will be hosted in Blackboard. University support includes the following:

View the Calendar of Events for fall Canvas training opportunities through George Mason.

The Stearns Center provides a sample syllabus statement to keep the students informed on which platform they are using in fall 2024.

Canvas provides 24/7 phone, email, and chat support to faculty, and 24/7 chat support to students. Use the “Help” button in Canvas to contact support by Canvas.

Canvas support cannot edit course content, including broken quiz, assignment, or content links.

CPH Instructional Designers Terri Ann and Barbara are happy to assist with training, course clean up, and transition to Canvas. CPH Canvas virtual office hours are available at the following times by Zoom or by appointment at HLTHLRN@gmu.edu.  

Tuesdays: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm 
Thursdays: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

Meeting link for both days

Meeting ID: 987 4425 5527
Passcode: 089709 

Allison Miner and Lila Fleming are the College’s Canvas faculty mentors. Contact LMS Advisory Committee member Phil Zane for questions about the transition plan. Cheryl Oetjen participated in the summer Canvas pilot and can provide tips and tools for teaching in Canvas, including using Perusall, a content engagement tool.

Faculty traveling internationally with their George Mason University-issued laptop or other equipment should email the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) or consult the ORIA website prior to departure. Please note that multiple forms may be required for certain countries. More information, including links to the forms, can be found on the ORIA website.

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10. The University requires all Mason owned Windows 10 computers to be update to Windows 11 by October 2025. All new computers procured will have Windows 11 installed. Information Technology shall replace computers not capable of installing Windows 11. Faculty may request a MAC laptop.

Shared drive migrations are expected to be complete by the end of August. Share administrators are being contacted directly with information on what to expect for their migrations. After the migration, space owners are responsible for setting up user access and should notify their share members of these changes.

In September, ITS will begin to decommission the MESA system. MESA shares will remain read only for 60 days. If users need access to MESA data during this time, they must open an ITS Support ticket.

To provide further support, ITS will hold weekly office hours through August and training sessions through September. Register via the MESA to M365 project roadmap and join the Collaboration Collective MS Team – MESA Migration Project channel.

August 19 | 10:00 - 11:30 am and 1:00 - 4:30 pm | Peterson Hall

Are you still using your headshot from another institution? From more than 5 years ago? Don’t have a high-res version? Just wanting something new? Rene Ayala will be available on August 19 to take new headshots of faculty and staff. 

August 21 - 25 | All Day | Road & Parking Deck Closures

Traffic impacts will occur around campus, particularly near Braddock Road, Roanoke River Road, Lots J and K, and Rappahannock Deck. Specific parking areas will be reserved for move-in.

September 17 | 11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Multipurpose Room

Title: "More than One Plus One: Syndemics in an Aging
and Unequal World"
Presenter: Denise Burnette, PhD

Burnette is the Samuel S. Wurtzel Professor of Social Work at VCU. Her research focuses on global topics, including health and psychosocial problems and related service needs of older populations in resource-constrained settings. 

Every Thursday | 12 pm | Peterson Lobby  

Join fellow CPH faculty, staff, and campus colleagues for a weekly walk around campus. It’s a great way to take a break and get to know others.

The walking group leaves at 12:05 pm for a 20-25 minute walk. To be added to the announcement list, contact Terri Ann Guingab (tguingab@gmu.edu).

August 21 | 5:30 - 7:00 pm | Zoom Meeting (Click to Join)

Cathy Tompkins invites ALL CPH adjunct faculty to meet before the semester starts. 

Please don't miss this event to hear about the status of Canvas, our new LMS system, the new CPH adjunct faculty Connections Program, the continuation of our faculty peer support sessions .....and much more.

August 21 | 11:30 am | PHC Multipurpose Room 

Kick off the fall 2024 semester with the State of the College Address from Dean Melissa Perry. Then join your fellow faculty and staff for lunch in the Peterson lobby. 

August 22 | 8:30 am | Beacon Hall Conference Center, Sci-Tech Campus 

The goal of the retreat is to finalize the College's mission and values. The Dean will present some thoughts and ideas about a new vision for the College, which we will have the opportunity to discuss. Your active participation is crucial in our ongoing efforts to foster a positive and engaging environment.

For those who cannot attend in person, an online participation option will be provided. Registration link to come.

Participants may submit questions for the Dean in advance at EngagePH@gmu.edu as well as during the live event.

August 23 | 1:30 - 3:00 pm | EagleBank Arena

You are invited to the fall 2024 New Student Convocation. This event is an opportunity to formally welcome all new students to George Mason University and introduce them to the many opportunities available in their academic journey.

Following the event, join the new students for free ice cream outside EagleBank Arena. Learn more and RSVP to Convocation.

Every Tuesday | 12 pm | Peterson 2800  

CPH yoga is returning on Tuesdays beginning September 17. You are welcome to stay for as much or as little of the class as you are able and we hope to see many of you there! If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Tompkins (ctompkin@gmu.edu).

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