Faculty/Staff Newsletter

To advance our understanding of interpersonal violence (IPV), College of Public Health has launched an IPV pilot research program. The goal is to the development of new, collaborative cross-college research and scholarship initiatives in the area of interpersonal violence. 

Throughout the 2023-24 academic year, our students and faculty further embraced interprofessional collaboration as the cornerstone of public health progress. Learn more about how our dedicated students, faculty, and staff are shaping the future of public health.

February 10 | 12 -1 pm | Multipurpose Room | Followed by Lunch 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 Climate Survey. Congratulations to the winners of the drawing: 

February 21 | 12-12:30 pm | Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93735937714

Join faculty members as they share a classroom practice or their research in five short minutes. The presenters are:

February 19 | 1:30-3 pm | Zoom registration required 

Are you wondering how to convey the impact of your teaching and mentoring for renewal, tenure, and/or promotion? The University is hosting a writing workshop about preparing your teaching and mentoring impact statement. This interactive workshop is facilitated by faculty members who have navigated the promotion process.

The Faculty Activities Tool deadline has been extended. If you are a term instructional or tenure-line faculty member, you now have until February 17 to submit this form. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your achievements, which will be presented in an aggregate format to the Provost’s Office in early March. Contact ctompkin@gmu.edu with questions.

March 8 | 10-11 am | Zoom | Registration required

The session will familiarize you with what to expect as a candidate, including timelines, basic Interfolio mechanics, strategies, resources, and writing tips. For more information, contact Li-Mei Chin (lchen38@gmu.edu).

Nominations are open for both College of Public Health Staff Awards and University Outstanding Achievement Awards. 

College of Public Health Staff Awards – due February 20

Contact Jennifer Sturgis (jsturgis@gmu.edu) if you have trouble with link.

University Outstanding Achievement Awards – due February 21

Contact awards@gmu.edu for questions about University awards.

February 11 | 12–12:30 pm | Peterson 2000 and by Zoom

We will discuss recognition, rewards, and awards. Learn about university recognition programs such as recognition leave, Mason Flair and other rewards, and Pats for Patriots. Learn tips to make the nomination letter writing process a breeze! Bring a lunch or join on Zoom.

February 27 | 10:30 am-12 pm | Online

This workshop will introduce you to strategies for designing, teaching, and assessing reflective assignments in your class or co-curricular learning environment. Participants will explore frameworks for deciding when and how to guide students’ reflective learning and have time to consider their own assignments in light of these frameworks. This workshop is ideal for faculty teaching experiential and project-based learning, including internships and clinicals.

Sign up here

On January 29, members of HAP celebrated their unit’s fall 2024 Steps Challenge win as they enjoyed a pizza and salad lunch. Representing the department’s walkers, Gilbert Gimm officially accepted the Steps Challenge trophy from Cathy Tompkins. HAP members at the event expressed a determination to be top walkers again for the spring and so to win back-to-back competitions. The challenge is on!

The International WELL Building Institute has named Assistant Professor Allison Miner an advisor on their 2025 Nourishment Advisory Board. Advisors shape the evolution of WELL and raise the bar for performing organizations and communities around the world. Learn more.

Congratulations to Gilbert Gimm on his new project “Improving Clinical and Public Health Outcomes through National and Academic Public Health Partnerships to Prevent and Control Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease Threats,” from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)/CDC. 

What does it all mean? We are actively monitoring changes in federal funding and funding opportunities following several recent White House Executive Orders. George Mason has consolidated its communications here. Please reach out to Alison Cuellar, aevanscu@gmu.edu, if you have questions about your project, or if you have heard from your funding agency or program officer.  

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a new Call for Proposals (CFP) through the Systems for Action Research Program on January 15, 2025. This year’s CFP will provide research funding for community-led pilot-test studies that test the feasibility of new interventions designed to dismantle and disrupt forms of systemic racism through the alignment of medical, social, and public health systems. Learn more.

Nominations for George Mason's Outstanding Achievement awards are due February 21.

If you encounter students who may benefit from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) services, please don’t hesitate to refer them. Here is a video that demonstrates how to initiate services and a list of spring 2024 service updates below:

Join Provost James "Jim" Antony for an informal opportunity to connect over coffee. Learn more here.

Fairfax Campus Staff Session: March 17 | 8:30 – 9:30 am | Merten 1201

Fairfax Campus Faculty Session: April 8 | 10:30 - 11:30 am | Merten 1201

HAP is in the lead. Susan O. Koduah had the most steps for an individual this past week. Report February 3 - February 9 steps by midnight Today, February 10.

Save the Date: National Public Health Week is April 7-13!

Our marquee event, Conversations and Connections, will be on April 9. The topic will be social connectedness.

Do you want to have a voice in how the activities shape up for this year’s NPHW? There’s room for you on the planning committee! The planning committee is more about providing ideas than the heavy lift of implementation. If you are interested, contact Kelly Beckwith at kbeckwi2@gmu.edu by February 14.

Allison Miner and Iulia Fratila invite you to a faculty-led book club featuring Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice by Rupa Marya and Raj Patel. This book explores the intersection of health, social justice, and environmental factors, making it an ideal read for those interested in public health, nutrition, and systemic change. There are 12 open spots. 

You will receive a free copy of the book, Inflamed, and an honorarium of $100 for your participation. Sign up by February 26.

Every Thursday | 12-12:30 pm | Peterson Lobby  

2nd and 4th Mondays of each month | 4-5 pm | Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/92966601360

Bring your questions, ideas, or concerns—whether it’s about student issues, curriculum, research, or collaborating with other faculty—and receive valuable feedback from your peers.

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

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