Organizational Development and Learning

Shaping Success: Unlocking Your Engagement Potential

Presented by Stephanie Marken

While employee engagement at George Mason has been on the rise, the national trend tells a different story—stagnation, and even decline. The biggest culprit? A lack of clarity around what’s expected in the workplace.

In her FSED Keynote, Stephanie Marken, Senior Partner with Gallup, will reveal the latest national insights into employee engagement, why many organizations are struggling to keep their teams motivated, and how the most successful leaders are breaking through these challenges. Discover the link between clear expectations and thriving and engaged teams and learn actionable strategies to not only improve your own engagement but to inspire your George Mason colleagues.  Whether you’re a leader, manager, or individual contributor, this presentation will equip you with the tools to transform your workplace experience—one clear step at a time.

Tune into the Livestream!

Meet the Speaker

Stephanie Marken
Senior Partner, Gallup
Input | Individualization | Strategic | Achiever | Analytical

Stephanie Marken is a senior partner at Gallup leading its U.S. custom research division, which includes research programs Gallup performs on behalf of foundations, agencies, corporations and higher education institutions. She is responsible for the strategic direction of Gallup’s research in education, workforce development, climate, technology and the social sciences which includes complex, multi-mode qualitative and quantitative research projects. Before her current role, Stephanie served as chief methodologist for Gallup.

She was responsible for the sample design, data collection approach and methodology for Gallup's public release studies in education and workforce development areas. Prior to joining Gallup, Stephanie was a researcher in the education division at Westat, a research firm specializing in complex social science studies for the federal government, state agencies and foundations. While at Westat, Stephanie worked on large-scale, complex, multimode education studies for the U.S. Department of Education, including the National Household Education Survey, Postsecondary Education Quick Information System, Fast Response Survey System, Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, and other quantitative and qualitative research projects for education foundations and organizations. Stephanie received her bachelor's degree in political science from Elon University and her master's degree in survey research from the University of Connecticut.

10 A.M. - 11 A.M.

Setting Performance Goals and Maintaining Momentum
Andrew Lane
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room D

This session helps participants understand the importance of setting goals for achieving performance and success, and how to track these goals throughout the year. By using SMART goals and objectives in performance planning, and potentially incorporating AI to draft these goals, employees can more effectively direct their work, inform supervisors and colleagues of their progress, document their successes, and create opportunities for growth and professional development.

Accidental Leadership: I, Too, I'm a Leader
Philip Wilkerson
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room G

Over the course of three years, I've had the great fortune of leading the Black Male Faculty and Staff Employer Resource Group. This experience has been transformative, teaching me what it truly means to be a leader. Through this role, I have honed essential professional skills, including strategic planning, marketing, communication outreach, and delegation. Leading an employer resource group (ERG) provides a unique platform for personal and professional growth. It offers the opportunity to build and foster a sense of community, advocate for underrepresented groups, and drive meaningful change within an organization. As the lead, you must develop a strategic vision, organize events, and facilitate discussions that address the needs and concerns of your members. This requires not only strong organizational and communication skills but also the ability to inspire and motivate others. During this session, attendees will learn how to leverage their volunteer experience, particularly in leading an ERG or affinity group, to develop their leadership skills. They will discover how these roles can enhance their ability to manage projects, lead teams, and influence organizational culture. By transferring the skills gained through ERG leadership to their professional roles, attendees can significantly advance their careers and contribute to a more inclusive workplace.

5 Powerful Techniques to Increase Customer (Student or Staff) Satisfaction
Birgit Debeerst and Susan Pilley
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room B

Are you providing customer service for students or staff members at George Mason? Are you sometimes frustrated why they are not following your instructions when requesting a service? Then this session is for you! The Office of University Life Project & Process Management has 6+ years in improving the customer experience. We have put together a list of techniques that you can easily implement to increase customer satisfaction. In this interactive session, you will discuss real-life scenarios in small groups, identify root causes behind customer confusion and learn techniques to provide more seamless customer experiences.

A Winning Strategy: How Individual Contributors Drive George Mason’s Strategic Direction
Kyle Warfield
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room E

Using lessons learned from years of auto racing fandom, participants will be given an opportunity to think about how their work connects to the larger mission and impact of George Mason University. Participants unaware will be introduced to the George Mason Strategic Direction and see examples highlighting the collective impact of individual contributions in support of the university’s mission. This workshop requires low levels of prior knowledge, and only a curiosity about learning a simple framework to help envision the big picture. In addition, by engaging with fine motor skills and the very basic aspects of play (who doesn’t love Lego?), participants will take part in activities that “drive” home the point that each of us are specially chosen for the roles we inhabit, and our unique talents and abilities are perfectly suited to help us advance to success!

Elevate the Everyday! Create a Well-Being Committee for Your Team
Stephanie Amirsoltani, Chris Rzengota, Alexander Harrison, Kavita Jagarlmudi, Adam Moore
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room A

Join us for an engaging and interactive presentation designed to enhance faculty and staff engagement through innovative well-being and team-building strategies. This session will explore the structure and operations of a Well-Being Committee (WBC), showcasing its role in fostering a supportive work environment and enhancing the overall well-being of faculty and staff. Drawing from real-life examples and lessons learned from Student Health Services’ and Counseling and Psychological Services' WBC’s, we will facilitate conversation and information-sharing on practical methods to encourage community and collaboration within departments, regardless of team size. Participants will gain valuable insights into promoting health and well-being practices into daily routines and creating a culture of care that extends beyond individual well-being to group dynamics. The session will feature interactive discussions and practical examples, ensuring that attendees leave with actionable ideas and resources to start or enhance well-being initiatives within their own teams and departments.

Managing Stress: Tools for Self-Regulation and Well-Being
Julia Morelli and Ayce Bukulmeyen Ozerdem
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room C

Join us for a dynamic workshop that combines the power of the mind-body connection with practical self-regulation techniques to help you manage stress and enhance personal and professional growth. This session will explore how gentle movements, somatic awareness, and emotional recognition can be leveraged to better understand and control your responses to stress. You'll learn how job stress, particularly when characterized by high demands and low control, can negatively impact your health, and how self-regulation can serve as a powerful tool to maintain calm under pressure. The workshop will introduce a range of mind-body practices, including Sophrology, a holistic approach that enhances self-awareness, focus, and resilience. You will learn simple, research-backed techniques you can integrate into your daily routine. These interactive exercises require no special clothing or prior experience. You will learn how to combine physical movement with emotional awareness, fostering both well-being and professional development. Participants will leave with insights and tools to manage stress, improve emotional agility, and promote overall well-being.

11:15 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.

Clear Presentations - Principles to Help You Become a More Vibrant and Persuasive Communicator
Adam Anthony
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room G

The higher education workplace is an increasingly complicated space where programs and initiatives compete for university leaders' and policymakers' attention and resources. Clear communications are more critical than ever. The traditional slide deck has not evolved to meet these challenges, and a new approach is needed. This session will help participants learn how to advocate for themselves and their programs more effectively by creating vibrant and persuasive presentations.

Expectations Unlocked: Developing Your Supervisor User Manual for Team Clarity
Brittney Dalmas
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room B

Join us for "Navigating Success: Creating Your Supervisor User Manual for Clear Expectations," a dynamic workshop designed to empower supervisors in effectively communicating their expectations to team members. In this interactive session, participants will learn how to develop a personalized user manual that outlines their leadership style, preferred communication methods, and performance expectations. Key takeaways will include a customizable template for their user manual, actionable tips for implementing it within their teams, and insights on enhancing employee engagement and accountability. By the end of the workshop, supervisors will be equipped with the tools needed to create their own user manual guide for their employees!

Creating Communities of Belonging Part 1
Erikca Brown
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room D

During this session, participants will reflect on intrapersonal perceptions and the attributes of belonging. By comprehending how the intersectionality of identity shapes our sense of belonging, participants will gain insight into the influence of organizational culture and climate on experiences of exclusion and inclusion. Through Compassionate Conversations, participants will delve into the establishment of communities fostering belonging. The educational pathway emphasizes the development of an equity lens, enabling participants to personally reflect on their practices, analyze systemic issues perpetuating identity-based disparities within their organization, and facilitate honest and compassionate conversations addressing existing disparities.

From Cubicle Mates to Lunch Break Legends: The Power of Work BFFs
Stacey Ellis and Jamie Kizer
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room A

Join us for an engaging session on the transformative power of workplace friendships. Discover how having a best friend at work can significantly enhance employee engagement, productivity, and overall well-being, supported by data from Gallup’s research. We'll explore the key benefits of strong workplace relationships and how they boost individual and team performance. Participants will also gain practical strategies for fostering and nurturing these friendships, making the work environment more enjoyable and effective. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your work life and become a lunch break legend!

Introduction to Verbal Aikido - From Conflict to Conversation
Sarah Atif
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room C

In this session the audience will be introduced to the practice of Verbal Aikido®. Verbal Aikido® is an effective and peaceful means to deal with verbal attacks and negativity. VA practice aims at creating a safe space to gradually engage in conflict, to understand conflict dynamics and look at the constructive side of conflict. At any organizational setting or personal setting conflict is inevitable. We all have different response to conflict for some of us it is super stressful, for some it triggers anger, for some trauma, for some resentment. Some of us show as aggressors some of us show as victims. Whatever we feel in a conflict is real and true to our story, being more intentional about our response enables us to be more present and thoughtful. In this workshop we will dive into going from conflict to conversation.

Take Charge of Your Own Engagement Through Coaching
Robyn Madar
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room E

Join an experienced coach to explore how you can transform setbacks, obstacles, and “big questions” into positive change and increase your own – and your colleagues’ – engagement. In this interactive session, we’ll use coaching tools to explore Gallup’s Q12 and generate ideas and actions you can put to work immediately. You’ll also learn more about what coaching is and how you can take advantage of George Mason’s no-cost professional coaching services, whether you’re looking for a thought partner to navigate a change, a confidential and empathetic ear, or someone skilled in reframing challenges or goals and providing new perspectives.

2 P.M. - 3 P.M.

Building Team Beyond the Org Chart
Elena Johnson and Olga Diupina
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room B

Whether you’re a Dean, a Director, or a counselor, the session will provide you with innovative leadership strategies that can help pave the way for positive relationships and teamwork within your organization. We will explore leadership from the perspective of a director and junior staff member, providing valuable insights into the unique opportunities each role has when building a team. We will touch on team structure, communication, recognition, and individualization strategies you can use on your teams to improve performance and collaboration. You will walk away with actionable insights that can help you create a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team.

Six Sigma in Action: Boosting University Quality
Aida Odobasic
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room E

Join us for an engaging workshop that demonstrates the practical application of Six Sigma techniques in higher education. This session will provide a foundational understanding of Six Sigma principles and the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology, highlighting its relevance in enhancing quality and efficiency in university processes. Objectives: Introduce key Six Sigma concepts and their importance in higher education. Present real-world case studies of successful Six Sigma projects in universities. Facilitate a hands-on activity where participants will apply Six Sigma tools to a simulated higher education problem. Key Takeaways: A solid grasp of Six Sigma and the DMAIC process. Insights into the benefits of Six Sigma for improving university operations. Practical experience using a Fishbone diagram for root cause analysis and problem-solving. Interactive Elements: Group activities that encourage teamwork and the application of Six Sigma techniques. Group presentations and discussions to share insights and solutions. This workshop is ideal for faculty and staff looking to enhance process efficiency, improve quality, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within their departments.

Elevate Your Influence: Mastering the Art of Managing Up
Jamie Kizer
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room A

This 45-minute interactive workshop, Elevate Your Influence: Mastering the Art of Managing Up, equips participants with strategies to effectively manage relationships with supervisors and higher-ups. The session begins by defining managing up and exploring its importance in career success. Participants will learn to identify their supervisor's communication style and work preferences, align their tasks with organizational goals, and proactively manage expectations. Through discussions, case studies, and role-play exercises, participants will develop practical skills for enhancing communication and adding value to leadership. The workshop concludes with an action-planning exercise, ensuring participants leave with specific strategies to implement in their roles. This session is designed to empower participants to take control of their professional relationships, driving both personal and organizational success.

Health in Your Hands: The Must Know Preventive Health Screenings for a Healthier You
Angela Chezem
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room G

This session will cover recommended preventive health screening guidelines. Content will be summarized by age group to help individuals hone in on which screenings are applicable to them, as well as what they may anticipate in the coming years. Topics will include cancer screening, cardiovascular screening, testing for certain infections, and other mental health and well-being screening recommendations. An overview of several organizations that determine these recommendations will be given. Special considerations will also briefly be addressed.

An Agile Mindset: A Catalyst for Employee Engagement and Team Productivity 
Melissa Bevacqua and Scott Kramer
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room D

Engaged employees and high performing teams can add great value to organizations. No matter the role, employees must be able to collaborate and communicate in order to achieve organizational goals. The culture within the organization must be right for employees and teams to continuously improve and thrive. What strategies might you use as an individual contributor, manager, or leader to create a highly engaged, high performing team? The answer to this question can be found within the Agile mindset. This session will outline concepts that will change the way you think about how you work. Best practices in Agile methodologies will be explored to help you foster a people-focused, collaborative, empowered team that communicates clearly and with transparency, that holds each other mutually accountable in a respectful way, that operates within appropriate boundaries, that does not hide processes or pain points, with work anticipated and prioritized, including multiple redundancies. You will learn how an Agile mindset and best practices can help you begin breaking down silos to create aligned, cohesive teams. You will leave this interactive session energized, filling your toolbox with strategies you can implement immediately in your daily work and meetings.

Hack Your Well-Being
Katie Clare
Location: JC 3^rd Floor Meeting Room C

Attend this session to learn more about well-being at Mason, how you're doing it in your life already, and how you can be doing it more intentionally. Even if you don't have a lot of time to devote to well-being activities in your day-to-day life, you'll leave this session with a variety of ways to engage with vitality, purpose, resilience, and engagement on a regular basis.

Andrew Lane
Director of Performance Management and Employee Engagement

Andrew Lane is the Director of Performance Management and Employee Engagement. In this role, he oversees the performance evaluation process for a/p faculty, classified staff, and our Mason Korea staff, and works with all levels throughout the university on employee engagement and reward and recognition initiatives to ensure that “we thrive together,” in support of George Mason’s values. Andrew held a similar role at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), and the majority of his work experience has primarily been serving in government public sector and nonprofit HR roles.

Philip Wilkerson
Employer Engagement Consultant

Philip Wilkerson is an Employer Engagement Consultant at GMU Career Services. In this role, he serves as a liaison between employers and the GMU community to ensure career opportunities such as jobs and internships are available to students, faculty/staff, and alumni. He oversees the following industries: Media, Entertainment, Journalism, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Sports & Recreation, Hospitality & Tourism, and Technology & Engineering. Earlier in 2024, Philip was nominated as the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)’s “Mentor of the Year” for supporting other higher education professionals throughout the country by demonstrating leadership and providing exceptional support for the professional growth and advancement of his mentee(s). In the past, he was awarded "Employee of the Month" for GMU in September 2019, the “Forty under 40” list for GMU Black Alumni, “Forty under Forty” for the Northern Virginia area through the Leadership Center for Excellence, the "ALX Chamber Forty under Forty," as well as being a recipient of the "Pillar Award" which is for a GMU staff member who supports Black students. He is also the faculty advisor for the Iota Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the GMU NAACP chapter. In his free time, he hosts a podcast called Positive Philter which focuses on well-being and Toastmasters. He is married to Maggie Wilkerson, LCSW (JMU Class of 2007, Social Work), and father to two boys, Bennett and Miles.

Birgit Debeerst
Director for UL Project and Process Management

Birgit Debeerst is the Director for UL Project and Process Management at George Mason University, where she leads a team experienced in project management, process improvement and User Experience (UX) research. She has been a part of George Mason University for 13 years. She studied and worked in several countries, including Belgium, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and South Korea before moving to the US. She holds a Master's degree in Korean Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (UK), and a Bachelor's degree in Japanese Studies from Leuven University (Belgium).

Susan Pilley
Project Manager with University Life Project and Process Management

Susan Pilley - Susan Pilley is a Project Manager with University Life Project and Process Management at George Mason University where she provides project management support for divisional projects and supports our User Experience (UX) Research team. She has been at George Mason University for 6 years previously teaching with INTO Mason and working with international students with the Office of International Programs and Services. Susan holds a Master of Science in Learning Technology and Design from George Mason University and a Master of Arts focused in International Studies from North Carolina State University.

Kyle Warfield
Associate Director for Community Engagement and Retention

Kyle is a proud native Detroiter and licensed Maryland lawyer serving as George Mason’s Associate Director for Community Engagement and Retention. In this role, Kyle monitors the university's commitments to diversity and inclusive excellence by promoting best practices in employee recruitment, hiring, and retention; developing resources for unit leaders and managers to achieve their goals; and actively engaging with the campus community. Kyle is also responsible for co-facilitating the university’s Bias Incident Response process and is available on request for problem solving and development opportunities within units and teams. Before George Mason, Kyle spent 6 years in child welfare law representing foster youth in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Kyle is an agile communicator, avid motorsports fan, and carries with him a commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion and belonging through opportunity and exposure—no matter the setting.

Stephanie Amirsoltani
Health and Well-Being Coordinator

Stephanie Amirsoltani MPH, CHES®, RN, BSN Health and Well-Being Coordinator, Student Health Services Stephanie Amirsoltani (she/her) earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health from George Mason University. She joined Student Health Services in 2023 as a Certified Health Education Specialist to promote health on campus. Stephanie’s work at George Mason focuses on empowering students to make informed decisions about their health through programming, education, and collaboration. Chris Rzengota MA, LPC, LSAT Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services, Student Health Services crzengot@gmu.edu

Chris Rzengota
Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services

Chris Rzengota (he/him) obtained his MA in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack. He joined Student Health Services at Mason in 2017 to implement Screening Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). He now serves as the Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services. His work at Mason has focused on evidence-based integrated behavioral health treatment in the primary care setting utilizing SBIRT and the Collaborative Care Model. Prior to Mason, Chris worked in private practice and in outpatient medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Alexander Harrison
Associate Director of Clinical Services

Alex is a licensed professional counselor with extensive experience in university settings. Alex has been a member of the Well-Being Committee at CAPS and brings a strong background in mental health advocacy and student support services.

Kavita Jagarlamudi
Assistant Director of Psychiatric Services

Kavita Jagarlamudi: Kavita is a board-certified psychiatrist with a deep commitment to promoting holistic wellness. She is a key contributor to the Well-Being Committee, emphasizing the importance of mental, emotional, and physical health within the university community.

Adam Moore
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Adam is a licensed clinical social worker at CAPS with a rich background in providing therapy and promoting mental wellness. He is an active member of the Well-Being Committee, focusing on creating supportive environments and fostering a sense of community within the team.

Adam Anthony
Director of Marketing and Communications

Entrepreneurial higher education administrator with demonstrated abilities in: *Leading high-impact marketing and communications functions *Establishing and managing experiential academic programs *Developing external relationships that connect employers, students, alums, university faculty, and administrators *Solving difficult problems by working across university functions and units

Julia Morelli
President/Executive Director, GMU Instructional Foundation

Julia Morelli began combining mind-body practices (yoga, qigong, and meditation) with constructive conflict engagement over twenty-five years ago. Movement and somatic (body) awareness are central to her work with leadership, conflict, and change management. She provides training, and facilitation and is a workplace coach for Human Resources. Julia is President of the George Mason University Instructional Foundation (GMUIF) and a Sr. Fellow with the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being.

Ayce Bukulmeyen Ozerdem
Well Being Program Specialist

Ayce is currently working as a Well-Being Program Specialist at the Center for Advancement Well-Being at George Mason University and mainly focuses on Wellbeing Programs with Sophrology for students and faculty, Workplace Productivity, Conflict Resolution, and Communication training programs. She teaches a credit class called "Explorations of Well-Being" at George Mason University. Having completed her Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution Program, Ayce has taken an active role in conflict resolution processes for civil society organizations, particularly emphasizing community relations over gender and youth-related programs. During the pandemic, she focused on mental health and well-being research and completed a 2-year Sophrology Well-Being Specialist Practitioner Training program from Energy Centre Sarl in Geneva, Switzerland. She is a member of the International Sophrology Federation as a Sophrologist. She completed a Mediation in the VA Courts and Judicial Overview Course and was certified as a Mediator for the Commonwealth of Virginia Courts at George Mason University. Ayce also completed the Harvard Law School Executive Education Program on Negotiation and Leadership. She is a member of the Virginia Mediators Network and Conflict Resolution Professionals.

Brittney Dalmas
Director of Finance & Operations

Brittney Dalmas is the Director of Finance & Operations in the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations. She has worked at GMU for 12 years, starting out as a student worker. Brittney currently is enrolled in the ODKM program and has her Master's in Arts in English: Teaching Writing and Literature, along with her MFA in Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction.

Erikca Brown
Associate Director of Inclusive Education

Dr. Erikca Brown is the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Associate Director of Inclusive Education. She joined George Mason in September of 2022 with 20 years of experience creating and maintaining inclusive educational opportunities. As the Associate Director of Inclusive Education, Dr. Brown plans, develops, implements, and evaluates educational programs focused on access to opportunity and inclusive excellence. Dr. Brown spearheads professional development initiatives and events catering to staff, faculty, students, and alumni. She provides consultancy, fosters collaboration, coordinates efforts, offers support, and takes the lead in guiding academic and administrative units. Her focus lies in developing organizational capacity, enhancing skills, raising awareness, instilling key concepts, fostering competency, and honing dialogue skills within teams to expand their cultural competency. Dr. Brown’s research examines the management and organization of schools; minoritized teacher recruitment and preparation; supply, demand, shortages, and turnover of marginalized teachers; and induction and mentoring for marginalized teachers— as demonstrated by her interest in micro-aggressions, organizational culture, cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion.

Stacey Ellis
Faculty and Staff Engagement Program Manager

Angela Chezem
Medical Director for Employee Health & Well-Being

Angela Chezem, MD, is the Medical Director for Employee Health & Well-Being in the Risk, Safety & Resilience Department at George Mason University.  Her team provides medical surveillance programs for university personnel, ergonomic assessments, travel consultations, and multiple training programs such as CPR/AED and First Aid, Stop the Bleed, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone Training. Previously, Dr. Chezem served as the Medical Director overseeing the COVID surveillance testing program and the COVID vaccination clinic during the pandemic.  Her work continues to involve collaboration with the local health department and other university units for emergency and infection response plans. Additionally, Dr. Chezem worked in the past at George Mason’s Student Health Services providing care for students. She has worked in private practice as a primary care physician, urgent care, and hospital settings for newborns through all adult age ranges. Dr. Chezem also spent time working for the federal government providing care to United States Active Duty Army service members, their family members and retirees both while living abroad and in the U.S. Dr. Chezem received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Virginia. Following that, she attended the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia where she received her Medical Doctorate. She is board-certified in Family Medicine, a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.

Melissa Bevacqua
Director of Admissions for Transfer Recruitment

Melissa Bevacqua is the Director of Admissions for Transfer Recruitment at George Mason University. She has served in a director’s level role in the Admissions Office at Mason since 2017, during which time, George Mason has recorded historic undergraduate enrollment growth. She was recognized as leading an award-winning team at Mason. Melissa brings over twenty-three years of enrollment management experience from large, public, comprehensive, R1 institutions to small, private, liberal arts schools. She has utilized Agile practices to transform teams she has led over the course of her career. Melissa presents her work at national and regional conferences, and is often sought out as a subject matter expert and speaker regarding the college search process. Melissa has also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Administration and Human Resources at The University of Scranton, and was recognized as a recipient of the Provost’s Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Melissa graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Spanish, and earned a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from The University of Scranton. She received the Outstanding Human Resources Administration Graduate Award.

Scott Kramer
Certified Scrum Master and Agile Coach

Scott Kramer is a Certified Scrum Master and Agile Coach at Booz Allen Hamilton. His expertise in Agile practices is supported by various industry-recognized certifications acquired while working with three of the top five federal government IT contractors. Before his role as a Scrum Master and Agile Coach, Scott gained valuable experience as a business analyst and Certified Product Owner. His career began in higher education on the institutional side, and then with a higher education software vendor, providing him with unique perspective on organizational culture. Scott has successfully led geographically and culturally dispersed software development teams ranging from 7 to over 75 members, demonstrating his capability to manage and enhance team performance across diverse settings. Scott graduated with a B.A. in Communications from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from The University of Scranton. He is a founding member of the Central Improv Association.

Katie Clare
Director of Well-Being Programs for the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being

Katie is the Director of Well-Being Programs for the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being (CWB) where she is responsible for leading and collaborating on well-being programs offered to our campus community such as the Resilience Badge, Mental Health First Aid, mindfulness training courses, and ProjectConnect. When not working, Katie loves spending time with her teenage son, reading, going to museums, and cooking/baking new and favorite recipes.

Auxiliary Services and Operations (shopMason)

Join us to discover essential campus services with shopMason! Learn about dining options, parking and transportation services, activating your Mason ID, and accessing exclusive discounts through Patriot Perks. We are here to share vital information to enhance your campus experience from day one!

Mason Facilities

Facilities ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university across the Fairfax Campus, the Mason Square Campus, and the Science and Technology Campus. Faculty and staff can engage with us by collaborating on projects, submitting work order and project requests, volunteering, attending events, and more! https://facilities.gmu.edu/

Higher Education Program

The Higher Education Program prepares new and mid-level professionals for careers in higher education at community colleges and 4-year institutions, as well as in associations, government agencies, and industries whose activities relate to or impact higher education.

Parking and Transportation

Parking and Transportation provides resources in support of Faculty and Staff's development of a sustainable commute, including benefits for the use of public transit or regular bicycling to and from the Mason campus.

Athletics

George Mason Athletics offers many different discounted options to George Mason faculty/staff for ticketed events, including Men's and Women's Basketball!

LGBTQ+ Resources Center

We are available to consult Mason faculty, staff, and administrators; community members; professionals at other universities; and others on many LGBTQ-related issues and concerns. Examples include: classroom situations, curriculum development, policies and procedures, basic LGBTQ health and mental health, LGBTQ community resources, and staff training.

Risk, Safety, & Resilience

RSR provides health, safety, well-being, and emergency preparedness programs and services for George Mason University.

Mason Small Business Development Center - Mason Enterprise / Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact

Mason SBDC provides no-cost business counseling and training to local entrepreneurs, thanks to our sponsors (including George Mason University!).

Mason Small Business Development Center

No Cost Small Business Counseling, Guidance, Coaching and Education

Bookstore/Patriot Tech

Discounts offered with their mason id.  10% personal purchase and 20% departmental purchase.  Sell departmental pricing laptops and desktop.  First day program for faculty/students.

University Life Central

George Mason University is partnering with Burn Along to help make it easier for employees to stay healthy. Burn Along gives you an easy and motivating way to exercise, no matter where you are.

Mason Dining & Mason Dietitian

Mason Dining will provide information about staff meal plan options and have a blender bike for staff to make their own smoothies.

Staff & Faculty Lunch Bible Study

Our mission is to be a safe place for believers in Christ to gather in fellowship to love and lift up one another like Hebrews 10:25 commands us to do. This group can be a resource to those who need to be met spiritually with community, encouragement, and prayer.

University Libraries

University Libraries offers resources and services that support academic research to not only to enrolled students but also to faculty and staff. The libraries offers a space for study, support for campus outreach events both internal and external, in class research support, and one-on-one consultations. The teaching and Learning Team within University Libraries teach classes and offer research class support for Univ. 100, Honors 110, Engh 101 and 302 classes. The library has DDSS, SP@RC, and SCRC all units that help faculty and staff support with their research, outreach endeavors, and presentations.

Project/Product/Program Network

The Project/Product Manager (PM) Network is intended to convene and bring value to the diverse set of individuals across George Mason University who include project and/or product management amongst their job responsibilities.

Mason Recreation

Mason Recreation provides competitive prices for faculty and staff that allow them to participate in the programs we offer. Whether you're in to swimming, sports, working out or participating in fitness classes, there's something for everyone at Mason Recreation!

Employee Resource Group - Aging Parents Support Group

Join other Mason employees navigating the challenges related to having aging parents. This group is for employees with aging parents who are looking to connect with others, share advice, and be part of a supportive community.  The group will meet monthly over Zoom on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. If you are interested in joining or have questions, please contact Laura Winkler at lwinkler@gmu.edu.

Workplace Coaching

Mason's internal Workplace Coaching Program provides university faculty and staff the opportunity for personal and professional growth. Coaches partner with a coachee to facilitate awareness, clarity, accountability, and action toward desired outcomes. Our program is positive and developmental in nature—we aim to support an individual's growth through self-initiated change. We believe that people are experts in their own lives, capable of generating their own solutions and strategies.

Workplace coaching is not performance-based or assigned. Instead, it's self-motivated and must come from the coachee's own interest in growth and change. (In performance coaching, conversations usually focus on areas of needed improvement in an employee's work position.

LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Alliance

We at the LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Alliance help support and enrich the LGBTQ+ community employed here at mason and beyond. We continue to advocate for and connect our members for their individual and communal successes.

Continuing and Professional Education (Mason CPE)

Mason Continuing and Professional Education brings the best of the university to professionals seeking to advance in their careers. Each year, more than 3,000 students gain new skills through transformative learning at Mason CPE, which has 35 years of experience providing technical knowledge, industry-based micro-credentials and professional certificates. CPE is the provider of choice for agencies and companies seeking to upskill or retrain their workforce to remain competitive both today and in the future. A leader in professional education, Mason CPE plans and implements more than 300 programs a year, collaborating with academic departments and administrative partners across the university to offer relevant courses in condensed, schedule-friendly formats.

Working Moms Support Group

The Working Moms Support Group is a way for Mason faculty, staff, and students to come together to discuss the issues confronting working mothers and even motivate changes on campus

Toastmasters

The George Mason University Toastmasters Club (GMUT) can help you improve your communication and leadership skills.

Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning

The Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) supports faculty in community-based learning courses, offering resources for course designation, training, grant funding, and community partnerships. CECiL is leading the implementation of a university-wide tracking database to showcase George Mason's community involvement, increasing awareness of faculty community engagement and public service efforts.

Center for Community Mental Health

The GMU Center for Community Mental Health is the main training clinic for doctoral students in clinical psychology and we provide evidence-based therapy and testing to the Northern Virginia community on a sliding scale fee structure. We serve children as young as age 5, teens, young adults and older adults, with special services for veterans.  We provide two emotional support lines that are available 12 hours/day, 7 days/week. For the Mason community (students, faculty and staff), we offer a FREE 3 session coping skills intervention that provides immediate support with no waitlist. More details about all our services at: Center for Community Mental Health (gmu.edu)

Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) is George Mason’s central IT organization. We provide IT resources, systems, services, and support to the university community. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.

Human Resources

Human Resources develops and supports programs and practices that will attract, retain, and motivate a workforce whose diversity and skills contribute to and sustain the university's excellence.  Human Resources commits to continuously providing the resources needed for employees to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities. HR is committed to George Mason faculty and staff and the university community and succeed by earning their trust and endeavoring to create a workplace that is caring and collegial.  Stop by the resource fair to determine ways in which Human Resources can further support your workplace experience!