Faculty/Staff Newsletter

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) reaccreditation is granted to nutrition education programs that have proven to be of the highest academic and professional training quality.  

Cognitive training program implemented by George Mason University social work researchers offers promising, non-medicine-based methods to support brain health in older adults.

Associate Professor Kyeung Mi Oh recognized with one of the highest nursing honors for her research on health literacy and cultural needs.

The college has a robust representation for the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo on November 2-5 at the Washington Convention Center. Learn about everything going on from booth to presentations by day, department, and person on the CPH @APHA webpage.

Don't forget to vote this week on Tuesday, November 4! Reminder: there are no classes on Election Day.

As we head into a new month, take a few minutes today to refresh your boards and begin posting your November recognitions for faculty and staff who go above and beyond. Let’s continue celebrating the incredible efforts happening across CPH!

Congratulations to Sarah Supsiri, marketing manager, for being the Wall of Wow winner for October. A prize will be delivered to Sarah within the next couple of days.

November 10 | 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, including lunch | Multipurpose Room | RSVP

Science denial is rising. Misinformation and the politicization of health broadly, and the recent focus on vaccines specifically, create challenges spanning public health, nursing, and social work. Featuring George Mason faculty and students, this event will focus on how we as an interdisciplinary community can take action to ensure that evidence-based research, practice, and policy are conducted, implemented, and developed. 

Research!America’s 2025-2026 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program provides funding for student- and post doc-led public engagement projects that want to design and execute nonpartisan civic engagement activities and create dialogue with local communities and public officials around scientific research, technological innovation, public health and other topics of common interest. Micrograntees receive guidance and support from Research!America staff and build connections with other participants.   

Research!America has also launched a second year of the Public Engagement Content Awards, which are stipends up to $5,000 to create curriculum in science communication and other public engagement skills. This opportunity is open to junior faculty in STEMM and STEMM-adjacent fields, PhD candidates, post-docs, and professional degree candidates.

Several faculty have expressed interest in the George Mason Grand Challenge initiative. If CPH faculty are interested in leading a large GC initiative, our college and departments collectively are particularly interested in the following themes: Technology-enhanced health promotion; interpersonal violence; and environmental contaminants. Whether you are thinking about a small or large GCI proposal, please reach out to Alison Cuellar as soon as possible to discuss alignment with college initiatives, matching funds, and support. The RFP is here, along with FAQs that are frequently updated. Please inform the CPH Office of Research about your GCI initiative plan before November 15. 

November 14 | 10 am - 1 pm | In-person Fairfax Campus | RSVP for lightning talk registration and/or attendance

Join George Mason colleagues for the Grand Challenge Lightning Talks & Matchmaking Mixer — a fast-paced, engaging event where the George Mason community shares bold ideas and connects across disciplines. Whether you're submitting a proposal, seeking collaborators, or just curious about transformative research, this is your chance to get inspired and get involved. Questions? Email GCI@gmu.edu. 

November 6 | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm | Manassas Senior Center  
November 21 | 9:30 am - 3:30 pm | Woodbridge Senior Center

This project is a series of events held with older adult communities in the surrounding areas. Faculty and students collect data on the older adults for walking, vision, cognition, hand grip, test their blood pressure, and ask them to complete various surveys on fall history and quality of life. This project is done in collaboration with colleagues in the School of Kinesiology. If you or your students are interested in volunteering at one of the two events below, please contact Dieanna Prudholme, dprudhol@gmu.edu.

The January Faculty Writing Retreat will be held on January 7-8, both in person and online. Take advantage of uninterrupted writing time and the opportunity to connect with a supportive community of peers to boost your writing productivity. 

Consider upcoming Stearns Center options to earn an inclusive teaching certificate, join a seminar on teaching in an AI context, or explore faculty mental health supports. Explore the full calendar for additional opportunities. 

New ADA Title II standards taking effect in April 2026 require that all course and web content—including Word, PowerPoint, and PDF documents—meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility guidelines. To help faculty, classified staff, and nonstudent wage employees prepare, ATI offers a self-paced Document Accessibility Fundamentals course designed to build practical skills for creating compliant materials.

Seats are limited but registration is open on a rolling basis. Participants who complete the 4-to-6 week course will not only enhance their accessibility expertise but also qualify for a $250 HR Impact Award. Learn more and register on Document Accessibility Fundamentals page.

Presented by HR and Staff Council
November 20 | 2:30 - 3:30 pm | Zoom (calendar invite coming soon)

Whether retirement is decades away or just around the corner, join the HR Benefits team to learn all about retirement. We'll cover savings options, consultation opportunities, and what the process looks like at George Mason. Planning now can provide peace of mind and help ensure you’re on the right track for the future you envision!

If you have questions you'd like addressed during the session, please submit them by November 18 using our Retirement Questions Form.

This session is designed especially for classified staff and A/P faculty, so if that's you, we hope to see you there! 

November 11 | 2:30–3:30 pm | PHC Multipurpose Room | RSVP

Dr. Brent Williams will share insights from 15+ years in epidemiology, including recent work using EHR data, like Epic Cosmos, for national cardiovascular disease surveillance. Williams is Director of Outcomes Research, Cardiovascular Institute, Allegheny Health Network. Open to all CPH faculty, staff, and students. Event sponsored by the Department of Health Administration and Policy.

Join the Office of the President, ROTC, and the Office of Military Services to celebrate and honor Veterans Day. The annual Veterans Day Luncheon is happening Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11:45 am in the Center for the Arts lobby. George Mason community members who have proudly served the country are invited and encouraged to attend the luncheon. Registration is required. Space is limited, so RSVP today. 

At George Mason, we aspire to serve our veterans with as much dedication and devotion as they have provided to our country. Veterans, George Mason University salutes you! See the complete list of events honoring Veterans Day at George Mason.

Now through December 15

Support students facing food insecurity this holiday season by donating non-perishable food and hygiene items to marked drop-off boxes in all CPH department suites or by contributing online.

MOST NEEDED ITEMS
Food: Pasta, rice, canned tuna/chicken, soups, mac & cheese, vegetables, snacks, peanut butter, cereal, instant oatmeal, vegetarian/vegan options. 
Hygiene: Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, period products, razors, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper.

November 14 | 12 - 12:30 pm | Zoom

More information about speakers to come. A calendar invite with a Zoom link is coming soon. This is the last one for the fall 2025 semester. Save the date for spring 2026 Lightning Talks: February 20 and April 10.

November 17 | 11:30 am | PHC Multipurpose Room | RSVP

Matthias von Schwanenflüegel is a visiting HAP affiliate faculty member from Germany. Lunch to follow his talk.

HAP retains the lead, Nutrition & Food Studies in second in place. T Rebmann was top individual stepper again last week.

Reporting for October 27-November 2 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.

PUBLICHEALTH.GMU.EDU

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

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