As an integral part of the greater community, George Mason University has continually strived to build and maintain a multitude of partnerships, provide a variety of services and programs geared toward the region we serve, and explore research that enhances the quality of life for all. 

Through Community Connections, you can learn more about how Mason engages with and enhances our shared community. 

Mason information technology students helped secure a rural county's technology for the upcoming November elections as part of the Virginia Cyber Navigator Internship Program (VA-CNIP). Learn more.

Through the Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinic, George Mason nursing students provided vaccines and conducted physical examinations for school-age children in preparation for the new school year. This past summer, 45 families brought their children to receive vaccines and physical examinations. Learn more.

The latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2025 found:

🟢George Mason ranks #1 for value and upward mobility in Virginia
🟡George Mason is in the top 25 nationally for innovation
🟢George Mason is #1 in Virginia for internships
🟡George Mason is among the nation's top 20 schools

Learn more.

A statewide literacy project designed to counteract the educational impacts of the pandemic is now in full swing. The Literacy Engagement Action Project (LEAP) focuses on developing language comprehension and word recognition to reinforce skilled reading. The resources are FREE and available in English and Spanish, including a book and video library. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine made funding for this project possible. Learn more.

Faculty from the College of Public Health are part of a growing group of researchers seeking therapeutic ways to improve dementia patients' quality of life without medication.

New research found that personalized music intervention is effective at reducing the use of antipsychotic and antianxiety medication, alleviating agitation levels, and enhancing mood and social engagement among nursing home residents. Learn more.

Students working at the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) in the Antonin Scalia Law School successfully secured an Honorable conditions discharge for a United States Marine Corps combat veteran. The classification allows the veteran access to medical treatment and other benefits.

M-VETS assists veterans, active duty members, and their dependents in various civil matters, including uncontested divorces, landlord/tenant matters, consumer protection, contract disputes, and military/VA administrative matters. Learn more.

The "UR 2 Close" engineering team won first place and the Mason's Choice Award in the Public Engagement Track of the 2024 Patriot Pitch Competition. Their proposal focused on preventing rear-end car collisions, which account for nearly one-third of all automobile accidents each year, resulting in thousands of deaths. The solution is a license plate visual indicator. Learn more.

George Mason University President Gregory Washington spoke with Fairfax County Government's County Executive Bryan Hill for an episode of the "Connect with County Leaders" podcast. They discuss George Mason's growth, the highly-touted ADVANCE program helping students obtain degrees or credentials and start businesses, and partnerships between the County and George Mason. Listen.

Sports analysts, like David Hughes, PhD ’17, help the National Football League and other professional sports leagues make important decisions regarding player safety. He was the first person in George Mason’s Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) to earn a PhD in sports analytics. Learn more.

Samantha Carrico, MSW ’15, supervises Volunteer and Partner Services within the Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Her innovative thinking led to a partnership with her co-worker Rylynn, a five-year-old Labrador golden retriever mix. Learn more.

Whether serving on the city council or volunteering as a firefighter and EMT, civic engagement and community service paved the road to success for Senator Jeremy McPike and Delegate Bill Wiley. They are part of a group of Patriots serving the Commonwealth of Virginia in the General Assembly. Learn more. 

Kerri Cardoza, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Government and Community Relations, ensures the Government and Community Relations team has the resources and support needed to advocate on George Mason’s behalf. She manages the vice president’s calendars and oversees the department’s logistics, finance, human resources, technology, and other duties.

She joined George Mason in 2008 after an extensive career in the Chancellor’s Office at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Over her 16 years at George Mason, Kerri’s enjoyed forming many friendships, developing new skills, and exploring learning opportunities. “Each day presents new challenges, and I find motivation in the ability to learn and grow within my position while helping others succeed,” she said.

Outside of her work at Mason, Kerri enjoys traveling, reading, walking, and spending quality time with her family, especially her 2 year-old granddaughter, Evelyn Ava. She’s traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. She recently traveled to Seattle for her nephew’s wedding and Ireland for an adventure with her three sisters. Her favorite place to visit is Rhode Island, her home state, to spend time with her 89 year-young mother. Learn more. 

Fall for the Book | October 12 & October 15 -18 | Multiple Time Slots | Multiple locations & Zoom

Nanotechnology Day | October 14 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Katherine Johnson Hall, SciTech Campus

George Mason Thriving Together 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk | October 19 | 9 a.m. | Merten Lawn, Fairfax Campus

George Mason Trunk-or-Treat | October 26 | 4 - 6 p.m. | Parking Lot L, Fairfax Campus

Office of Government and Community Relations

relations.gmu.edu

703-993-8846