Campus News

Q&A with Martina Cheung, Spring Commencement 2025 speaker

Katarina Benson — Fri, 02 May 2025 18:45:26 +0000

Q&A with Martina Cheung, Spring Commencement 2025 speaker Katarina Benson Fri, 05/02/2025 - 14:45

Martina Cheung, president and CEO of S&P Global, will be the featured speaker at �鶹��Ƶ’s Spring Commencement on May 15 at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus.

Martina Cheung. Photo provided

Can you share one piece of personal or professional advice you received that has influenced your life or career and that you would like to impart to this George �鶹��Ƶ Class of 2025?

My advice is to take a long-term view when thinking about your career and when you’re making big decisions. If you get too caught up in the short term, you could lose sight of the larger and more important long-term opportunities.

Careers last decades. When you come to a crossroads, when you’re thinking about whether to take a job, stop and ask yourself: Where do I want to be in 10 years and what can I do over the next two to three years to help me get there? This will help you decide which way to go.

What is one thing every college student should do to set themselves up for success after graduation?

Network. Get involved, volunteer for projects, and find a mentor or trusted advisor. Mentors can be professors, aunts or uncles, or people in your professional lives. You want to look for people who will give you honest feedback and advice. And then make this relationship mutually beneficial. What I mean is that the relationship should not be one-way learning, from mentor to mentee. Graduates might be surprised that mentors are going to learn from them, too.

George �鶹��Ƶ this spring rolled out a new model for universities to advance a responsible approach to harnessing artificial intelligence and driving societal impact. Where do you see AI five years from now?

GenAI is having profound and accelerating effects across all sectors of the economy and in society. We’re using it at S&P Global to be more productive and to create better experiences for our customers.

Companies and consumers are just at the beginning of tapping the potential of this technology. We are building toward a future where AI agents—systems that act autonomously and dynamically, selecting the actions needed to reach their goals—vastly improve consumers’ experiences by handling multistep, complex processes. In the financial services sector, that could mean AI agents will be able to perform quantitative data analysis for investors.

Some people are saying that GenAI is the end of the knowledge economy. I don’t see it that way. Now, more than ever, workers need to be lifelong learners. You want to be intellectually curious. Throughout our lives, we all should strive to acquire new skills and to be critical thinkers.

What was it about George �鶹��Ƶ that led to S&P Global Ratings becoming a corporate partner with the university’s Costello College of Business? How can universities and industry, including S&P Global, best work together for the benefit of graduates and employers?

George �鶹��Ƶ has a fantastic business school. It’s dynamic and prioritizes innovation and real-world applications. We learned about the school through President Washington, who serves on S&P Global’s Board of Directors.

Our partnership allows us to support scholarship and internship opportunities, as well as other student engagement activities. For example, we hosted students in New York at our global headquarters where they got to meet our analytical and research teams, who exposed students to our work on credit risk and the latest trends in financial markets.

Relationships between the private sector and higher education are essential for connecting students with people and experiences that will support their professional growth and development. Through internships and co-ops, students benefit from hands-on experience, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while gaining valuable skills. And businesses benefit from making connections with talented people who could ultimately become part of their teams.

You grew up in Ireland. What brought you to the United States and how did that experience influence your career path?

I came to the U.S. in 2000 to work on a consulting engagement because I had a skillset that was needed by a particular client. Following two successful client projects, I decided to transfer to the U.S. as I was part of a fast-growing, busy consulting team, doing exciting work for our clients.

My consulting career spanned 35 clients over 12 years across multiple industry segments. My final client was S&P Global. After I made the jump to S&P Global, I was fortunate to work in many positions around the company, which helped me to develop a holistic understanding of our customers and the important work that we do to provide essential intelligence to power their decisions. I led some of our largest and most successful growth projects along the way. Now, I am proud to be the CEO and excited for the next phase of growth and value creation at the company.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I’m excited to visit campus and speak with the Class of 2025. Congratulations, graduates! I’ll see you soon.

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Graduation

Campus News

The Hylton Center Celebrates Successful 15th Anniversary Gala

Kirstin Franko — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:54:29 +0000

The Hylton Center Celebrates Successful 15th Anniversary Gala Kirstin Franko Wed, 04/30/2025 - 13:54

In This Story

Rick Davis

Gregory Washington

The Hylton Performing Arts Center hosted its 15th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, April 26, celebrating 15 years of artistic excellence in Manassas and throughout the Northern Virginia region. The event welcomed 237 guests and raised $162,500 in support for the Hylton Center’s artistic programming, Veterans and the Arts Initiative, and Education Initiative.

Ten percent of net proceeds will also fund the Hylton Center’s Endowment, and funds raised through the Gala contribute to �鶹��Ƶ’s �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible, a university-wide comprehensive one-billion-dollar fundraising campaign.

Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and executive director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center; Sam Hill; Lillian Hill; Gala Honoree Marion Wall; Deborah Johnson, LaToya Asia Smith, Gala Honoree Dominion Energy; Jason Hickman, Presenting Sponsor Compton & Duling; Gregory Washington, president of �鶹��Ƶ. Photo by Sean Kelley.

The Hylton Center’s 15th Anniversary Gala festivities began at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, with a cocktail reception in the Didlake Grand Foyer, featuring a French 75 signature cocktail crafted by MurLarkey Distilled Spirits. Guests then enjoyed an elegant dinner on Merchant Hall stage, which was catered by Susan Gage Caterers, before the evening’s program commenced.

Rick Davis, executive director of the Hylton Center and dean of �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), opened the program with a dimming of the lights in memory of William Reeder, founding dean of CVPA, who passed away on April 12 and whose visionary leadership enabled the creation of the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

In a video presentation, Dean Davis and other important figures from the community looked back at the beginnings of the Hylton Center and toward its promising future. “As we celebrate 15 years at the Hylton Center, we envision continued growth in the quality, the quantity, and the impact of the arts that we create here, and the arts we present," Davis said. "Everything that we do at the Hylton Center is a testament to the vitality of having a world-class performing arts center right in your community.”

President of �鶹��Ƶ Gregory Washington speaks to the guests.
Photo by Sean Kelley.

George �鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington built on Davis’s remarks, “The Hylton Performing Arts Center is a crucial component of George �鶹��Ƶ’s broader role as a cultural hub for the region, a talent incubator for our students, and a gathering place for so many in our community. I’m proud to join in celebrating 15 impactful years of creativity and innovation in the arts, and express my deepest gratitude to the leaders, staff, and supporters who have brought us to this milestone anniversary.”

The honoree tribute was dedicated to Marion Wall and Dominion Energy, two longtime champions of the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Wall was celebrated as a steadfast supporter since the Hylton Center’s earliest days, who played a pivotal role in the planning, development, and ongoing success of the venue. Dominion Energy was recognized for making a profound impact on the cultural landscape of Northern Virginia, including investment in George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, programs like the Veterans and the Arts Initiative, and other benefits to ensure accessible arts experiences for all.

The event also included a live auction of unique arts experiences, Raise Your Paddle fundraiser, and wine-and-whiskey pull in support of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative, which offers free workshops and concerts for local Veterans, Servicemembers, their families, and community members. These activities raised more than $27,000 for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative, continuing the celebration of its 10-year anniversary and its mission of creativity and service.

Champagne skirt performer recognizing Gala Presenting Sponsor Compton & Duling.
Photo by Sean Kelley.

The evening closed in a lively fashion with an after-party that featured a mix of George �鶹��Ƶ students and professional musicians in a 10-piece swing band from �鶹��Ƶ Music Productions, a swing dance experience led by dancers from Gottaswing, a champagne skirt performer from Carbone Entertainment, and a Blackberry Sage Smash cocktail crafted by MurLarkey Distilled Spirits.

The Hylton Center’s 15th Anniversary Gala was supported by many regional businesses and individual donors, including Presenting Sponsor Compton & Duling, L.C., Cocktail Reception Sponsor Appliance Connection, Live Auction Sponsor United Bank, Raise Your Paddle Sponsor Todos Supermarket, Wine Pull Sponsor Whitlock Wealth, and Wine Sponsor Thomas Sabal and Daniel Tucciarone. Other generous sponsors of this year’s event included: City of Manassas; Rick Davis and Julie Thompson; Didlake; Dominion Energy; ECU Communications; �鶹��Ƶ Foundation; Carolyn Hays and Jeff Burke; The Law Office of Sheyna Nicole Burt, PLC; Micron Technology; Potomac Health Foundation; Sentara Health; Stanley Martin; UVA Community Health; Wall Foundation; and Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley, & Walsh, P.C.

To view additional images from the event visit the 15th Anniversary photo gallery.

Niyati Dhokai, program director of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative confirming the impact of the program on the military-connected community. Photo by Sean Kelley.

Some of the notable guests in attendance included: Mayor of the City of Manassas Michelle Davis-Younger; Virginia State Senator Jeremy McPike and Sharon McPike; Virginia Delegates Briana Sewell, Ian Lovejoy, Josh Thomas, and Luke Torian; Manassas City Councilmembers Theresa Coates Ellis, Tom Osina, Ralph Smith, Ashely Hutson, and Mark Wolfe; Manassas City Manager and Hylton Center Executive Board Member, Steve Burke and Cary Burke; Prince William Board of County Supervisors Vice Chair Andrea Bailey and Reverend Cozy Bailey; Prince William Board of County Supervisors, Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry and Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin; Managing Member of Compton & Duling, LC Jason Hickman; Vice President and Site Executive of Micron Technology Virginia Delbert Parks; President of Pitkin’s Home Center Sarah Pitkin; Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. President V. Rick Nishanian and Nunik Nishanian; Todos Supermarkets Owner Carlos Castro; President and CEO of NOVEC, Kristen Senechal; President of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Jeff Joyner; Senior Policy Advisory of Nelson Mulling and Hylton Center Executive Board Member Rod Hall and Lena Hall; Artistic Director of Manassas Ballet Theatre Amy Wolfe; Hylton Center Executive Board Chair Sheyna Burt; Hylton Center Executive Board Vice Chair Joyce Connery; Hylton Center Executive Board Member the Honorable Ann Wheeler and John Wheeler; and Hylton Center Executive Board Member Gayle Whitlock and Bennett Whitlock, and Hylton Center Executive Board Member Kris Nohe and Martin Nohe.

Interested in contributing to ensure the success of the next 15 years of the Hylton Center? Explore ways to give on the Hylton Center website.

Enjoy a video from the event, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative.

Topics

Hylton Performing Arts Center

Hylton Center

Rick Davis

Gregory Washington

veterans and the arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

�鶹��Ƶ Arts

�鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible

Campus News

philanthropy

�鶹��Ƶ Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop

Katarina Benson — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:55:23 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop Katarina Benson Tue, 04/29/2025 - 09:55

�鶹��Ƶ Korea and the U.S. Embassy Seoul recently hosted the 2025 U.S.–Republic of Korea (ROK)–Japan Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) Regional Workshop Series on the �鶹��Ƶ Korea campus. The workshop featured sessions on peace technology led by experts from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George �鶹��Ƶ and the Faculty of Letters at Soka University in Japan.

The 2025 YTL Workshop Series consists of four phases. Phase one consisted of four weeks of online pre-learning from March 10 to April 4. Then the Incheon Songdo workshop, held from April 11–14 at �鶹��Ƶ Korea, marked the second phase and took place over four days. The third phase will be co-hosted with U.S. Consulate General Osaka in Hiroshima, Japan, from May 9–12. The final phase, an online evaluation, is scheduled for August 21 and 28.

During the in-person workshop, 26 members of the State Department’s YTL program from Korea, the United States, and Japan built on their pre-session knowledge, engaging in lectures and group activities with Korean and international experts. Topics included conflict analysis and resolution, peace studies, the application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) games, and international relations based on historical and cultural perspectives.

Students participate in the in-person workshop. Photo provided

“�鶹��Ƶ Korea is cultivating global conflict management experts through the Korea Serious Game Institute and the Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia,” said �鶹��Ƶ Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park. “Grounded in innovation, expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit, we aim to strengthen U.S.-Korea collaboration in education and research for the Fourth Industrial Revolution—serving as a trusted bridge for students, industries, and government agencies to thrive on the global stage.”

On Saturday, April 12, the YTL workshop opened with a keynote address by �鶹��Ƶ Korea Dean Joshua Park and U.S. Embassy Seoul public diplomacy officer Joshua Lustig, followed by a lecture from Soyoung Kwon, associate dean of external affairs and professor of global affairs, on “Korea’s Regional Diplomacy and the Trilateral Alliance.”

Program leader Roland Wilson, director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia (PACSC Asia) and professor of conflict analysis and resolution, delivered a session on Youth Leadership, which led into a joint talk with James Broderick (Computer Game Design Program) titled “Peace and Conflict: How to Use Tech and AI.” Participants then collaborated in small groups to analyze conflict scenarios and propose solutions using AI-based serious games.

On Sunday, April 13, after completing a trilateral conflict simulation and case studies, students visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for a field learning experience.

“This workshop offered young leaders from Korea, the U.S., and Japan an opportunity to strengthen their conflict analysis and resolution skills by using �鶹��Ƶ’s advanced AI serious games," said Roland Wilson, who is a George �鶹��Ƶ alumnus with a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution. "It also helped them develop global leadership and teamwork, while exploring innovative solutions to regional and international conflict challenges. I hope this workshop has provided future youth leaders with a valuable opportunity to view regional and global relations to deepen mutual understanding.”

“The trilateral partnership is a crucial component of our shared commitment to the safety, security, and prosperity of both our own countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region,” said U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Officer Joshua Lustig. “For this partnership to truly flourish, we need to leverage the creativity and talents of people from every corner of our respective societies, especially emerging leaders like those participating in this workshop.”

See more from �鶹��Ƶ Korea

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�鶹��Ƶ Korea

Campus News

Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships

Katarina Benson — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:31:52 +0000

Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships Katarina Benson Mon, 04/28/2025 - 15:31

�鶹��Ƶ received a gift with an impact of $36 million from the Kimmy Duong Foundation to name the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing within the College of Engineering and Computing. The university’s Board of Visitors approved the name change on April 1, and it will become official pending approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia this summer.

Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“We are so grateful to Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong for their continued support of the College of Engineering and Computing, now culminating in this generous gift,” said Dean Ken Ball. “We are proud to steward this gift in support of our students and the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program. George �鶹��Ƶ is honored to be part of their legacy in Northern Virginia.”

This is not the first significant gift to George �鶹��Ƶ from Duong and her husband, who gave $5 million in 2009 for the state-of-the-art Nguyen Engineering Building, a facility providing cutting-edge research and education spaces for a new generation of engineering, computing, and information technology professionals.

"Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen have been good friends to George �鶹��Ƶ, recognizing the opportunity our university provides for students to succeed,” said �鶹��Ƶ Gregory Washington. “Kimmy came to this country with very little and climbed her way to success, not unlike how many of our students who—whether they are first generation or come from difficult socioeconomic circumstances—overcome their own challenges. George �鶹��Ƶ has been a leader in computing for many years, and this transformational gift will help ensure that remains the case for many more years to come.”

The naming of the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing represents a significant milestone for �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible, George �鶹��Ƶ’s historic $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Designed to enhance the university’s capacity and broaden its impact, �鶹��Ƶ Now focuses on expanding access to education, driving innovation, and deepening the university’s influence across the region and beyond.

“This transformational gift from the Kimmy Duong Foundation marks a pivotal moment in the �鶹��Ƶ Now campaign,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president for advancement and alumni relations and president of the �鶹��Ƶ Foundation. “The naming of the School of Computing stands as a powerful testament to their belief in George �鶹��Ƶ’s mission and their commitment to expanding access—particularly in fields that shape innovation and prepare students for the future.”

Duong was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in 1945 and earned a bachelor of science in economics and law from the University of Saigon in 1966. She joined IBM in 1968, where she worked until she left the country in 1975, when she fled Vietnam and arrive in the United States with only $30.

From a refugee camp, she traveled back to the United States, moving to Northern Virginia and continued her work with IBM. In 1994, she joined Pragmatics, where she served as vice chairwoman and CFO. For 30 years, she has overseen their finance, legal, facilities management, and human resources departments, playing a key role in the company’s continued growth.

In 2015, she established the Kimmy Duong Foundation, which supports a range of health, education, and welfare initiatives in the United States and Vietnam. It has given more than $4 million toward scholarship programs with endowments to Washington, D.C.-area universities. According to the foundation website, “Influenced by her Buddhist background, Kimmy Duong has always been concerned about the poor and sick. Being raised in a poor family and coming to the U.S. as a refugee, Mrs. Duong knows the many challenges that poverty brings.”

She has been awarded the �鶹��Ƶ Medal, George �鶹��Ƶ’s highest honorary award for service to the community, state or nation, and the Glen Martin Medal from the University of Maryland.

“Education is the cornerstone of life,” Duong told a gathering of George �鶹��Ƶ students, noting that many in her generation worked multiple jobs to send their children to college. “Now, we are giving back.”

The gift will establish three endowments: two within CEC to provide lasting support for scholarships and student success initiatives—both of which support the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program—and one for University Life to provide scholarships through the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Endowment especially with a preference for students majoring in nursing, education, or journalism

With some of the funds dedicated to computing-specific majors, a portion of the gift would be eligible for matching funds from the Tech Talent Investment Program, thereby amplifying the impact of the gift. The Tech Talent Investment Program of the commonwealth aims to increase the number of graduates with computing degrees and strengthen the workforce by providing financial incentives to colleges and universities that enroll and graduate more students with these skills.

George �鶹��Ƶ’s School of Computing is known for its strengths in computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), and software engineering. It plays a key role in Northern Virginia’s thriving tech ecosystem, particularly due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and partnerships with major government and industry partners. Among the strengths of the school:

AI and machine learning, with strong research and academic programs in AI, robotics, and human-computer interaction.
Designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.
Its analytics faculty and students engage in cutting-edge big data research, particularly in health care.
One of the most robust software engineering programs in the region.

Power the Possible

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Campus News

�鶹��Ƶ Now campaign

College of Engineering and Computing

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

Spring 2025 Degree Celebration speakers

Katarina Benson — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:21:03 +0000

Spring 2025 Degree Celebration speakers Katarina Benson Mon, 04/28/2025 - 09:21

In addition to Spring 2025 Commencement on Thursday, May 15, graduates may also choose to attend their college’s degree celebration. Here’s a look at the keynote speakers for each event.

Wednesday, May 14

4:30 p.m. Schar School of Policy and Government

Keynote: Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. Read was elected as the first woman and the first George �鶹��Ƶ graduate to lead the university’s hometown of more than 24,000 residents in 2022.

Thursday, May 15

2 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing, School of Computing

Keynote: Sandra Alba Cauffman. The George �鶹��Ƶ alumna currently serves as the deputy director of the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA.

3 p.m. College of Visual and Performing Arts

Keynote: Molly Smith, Artistic Director Emeritus Arena Stage

6:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing, Volgenau School of Engineering

Keynote: Sukumar R. Iyer. Iyer is the founder, executive chairman, and CEO of Brillient Corporation.

Friday, May 16

9:30 a.m. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)

Keynote: The Honorable Joshua C. Fiveson. Fiveson, BS Administration of Justice ’10, and recipient of the 2022 CHSS Distinguished Alumni–Criminology, Law and Society Award, is a U.S. Navy veteran and an academic who previously served as one of the youngest state judges in Texas.

11 a.m. Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Keynote: Carol Daniel Kasbari, senior associate director of the Conflict Resolution Program at The Carter Center. She has more than 20 years of experience designing and leading programs in conflict mitigation, peacebuilding, advocacy, and nonviolent resistance in complex international environments, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

2 p.m. College of Science

Keynote: Paul Misener. Misener is an engineer, scientist, and attorney, graduating with a JD from George �鶹��Ƶ in 2001. A global vice president at Amazon.com for 23 years, Misener is the founder and principal of Misener Innovation LLC, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations innovate, advocate, and communicate.

6:30 p.m. Donald G. Costello College of Business

Keynote: Guylaine Saint Juste, president and CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants Inc. She is the founder and co-chair of the George �鶹��Ƶ Women in Business Initiative.

Saturday, May 17

9:30 a.m. College of Education and Human Development

Keynote: Nia Harrington. The George �鶹��Ƶ alumna is the chief development officer at Speaking With Impact, where she manages presentation skills, media training, professional development, and women’s leadership initiatives, and specializes in brand communication and sports management.

1:30 p.m. Antonin Scalia Law School

Keynote: The Honorable Wesley Russell, JD ’95. Russell serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. He previously served as a judge in the Virginia Court of Appeals.

2 p.m. College of Public Health

Keynote: Rear Admiral Pamela Miller. Rear Adm. Miller is a highly decorated medical officer of the United States U.S. Navy, Director of Health Services at U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters and Vice Chief, BUMED, Reserve Policy and Integration for the U.S. Department of Navy.

Topics

Campus News

Graduation

This campus greenhouse is powered by the sun—and student innovation

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 17:11:48 +0000

This campus greenhouse is powered by the sun—and student innovation Lauren Reuscher Wed, 04/23/2025 - 13:11

Gardening season is here, and those with green thumbs are preparing their planting strategy for the season. In any garden, plants need basic essentials to grow: sunlight, soil or nutrients, air, and water.

Through a new solar array at �鶹��Ƶ’s Fairfax Campus, the sun will play double duty in the successful growth of plants. Solar energy will power the Presidents Park Greenhouse with the electricity it needs to support the plants growing inside.

The Presidents Park Greenhouse uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce on campus. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Designed by student researchers and partially funded by a research grant, the solar array will help offset the energy consumption for the equipment and temperature controls in the greenhouse, which uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce on campus.

A team of 10 George �鶹��Ƶ student researchers applied for support from the Patriot Green Fund, an annual sustainability fund provided by Facilities and Campus Operations to make George �鶹��Ƶ’s campuses more sustainable through infrastructure improvements. The Patriot Green Fund covers $20,000 of the total $185,000 project cost. The remainder of the budget is provided by Facilities and Campus Operations.

“This student-led project is designed to reduce electricity costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide educational and volunteer opportunities for the George �鶹��Ƶ community,” said Demin Zhu, Patriot Green Fund program manager with University Sustainability.

The Presidents Park Greenhouse operates year-round and produces approximately 1,000 pounds of fresh lettuce and salad greens annually, which are served on campus at Ike's dining hall. Other fruits, vegetables, and herbs are donated to the George �鶹��Ƶ community through free produce pickups.

Students are a driving force behind greenhouse operations, working inside for service hours, internships, and experiential learning. They have the opportunity to learn about the greenhouse’s hydroponic and aquaponic food production systems.

“The electricity from the solar panels will feed into the greenhouse to power our fans, pumps, cooling system, and grow lights,” said Doni Nolan, greenhouse and gardens program manager with University Sustainability. “The electrical equipment helps us grow lettuce, baby greens, tomatoes and more in the greenhouse to provide local sustainable ingredients to our dining halls.”

The ground-mounted solar panels will be installed outside the greenhouse and are expected to offset more than 80% of the electricity it requires. The solar array is estimated to produce more than 22,000 kWh per year. The panels will reduce the building’s annual greenhouse gas impact by 13.8 metric tons of CO₂, which is about equal to the carbon footprint of 2.2 typical single-family homes.

The concrete pad under construction will accommodate the new solar array for the Presidents Park Greenhouse. Photo provided

The students developed the project under the guidance of several George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and staff, including Nolan, Christy Hogan, who is senior director of university asset management in Facilities and Campus Operations, and Colin Reagle, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

George �鶹��Ƶ currently has one other on-campus solar array, at �鶹��Ƶ Square. Vertical solar panels on the face of Fuse demonstrate how a solar array can be integrated into a building’s design in an urban setting. A vertical solar array requires less space and captures sunlight from multiple directions throughout the day. The array produces about 1% of the electricity used by the building and is part of a range of sustainable features that help Fuse meet LEED Platinum standards.

The installation at President’s Park expected to be complete by early June.

Crystal Bowers, BS Mechanical Engineering ’23, was one of the students who led the solar array project during her time at George �鶹��Ƶ.

“Working on the Solar Greenhouse Project was one of the most impactful experiences of my time at �鶹��Ƶ,” said Bowers. “It not only deepened my understanding of sustainable infrastructure and project management, but also demonstrated the power of collaboration in transforming ideas into tangible, lasting change on campus.”

Learn more about the Greenhouse and Gardens

Topics

Campus News

Sustainability

Patriot Green Fund

University Sustainability

mechanical engineering

College of Engineering and Computing

�鶹��Ƶ as a Living Lab

George �鶹��Ƶ highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities

Katarina Benson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:52:10 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities Katarina Benson Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:52

The Student Access and Earnings Classification recognizes institutions that foster opportunities for student success.

The Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) announced Thursday that �鶹��Ƶ was named to the highest tier of its list of Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings, in recognition of the university’s commitment to accessibility, return on investment, and upward mobility.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Carnegie said universities earning this distinction “are higher access, higher earnings institutions that can serve as a model for fostering student success,” according to information from the foundation.

“This ranking from Carnegie and ACE reaffirms George �鶹��Ƶ’s commitment to providing access to a high-quality education to all students who are academically prepared for the challenges of an R1 institution,” said George �鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington. “It reflects our values, our student success rate, and our commitment to graduating students who are prepared to enter the evolving workforce in the commonwealth and beyond.”

The designation is composed of two parts. The access portion refers to Pell Grant recipients and undergraduate students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. In fall 2024, 24% of George �鶹��Ƶ undergraduate students were first-generation, and 28% were eligible for federal Pell grants, which is greater than the state average. The fall 2024 incoming class also boasted record enrollment for African American, Hispanic, and international students.

George �鶹��Ƶ does not use race-based admissions and admits nearly 90% of applicants. The university’s graduation rate exceeds national graduation rates regardless of race, ethnicity, or wealth status. The university’s ADVANCE partnership with Northern Virginia Community College creates successful transfer pathways for students and reduces or eliminates credit loss in the transfer process, saving students time and money.

The earnings portion of the ranking reflects how much graduates earn compared to their peers in the job market. The methodology for this ranking involves Carnegie’s “calculated comparison values,” which are based on the locations served by the institution, using U.S. census data, Carnegie said. A value of 1 indicates that an institution’s data exactly matches the comparison value. Values greater than 1 therefore show that the institution’s data is higher than the comparison value.

Institutions like George �鶹��Ƶ that meet the Opportunity Colleges and Universities criteria (Higher Access, Higher Earnings) have an access ratio at or above 1 and earnings ratio at or higher than 1.5, for baccalaureate and higher institutions.

With an access score of 1.2 and an earnings score of 1.64, George �鶹��Ƶ is the only public doctoral university in Virginia to achieve the designation. Marymount, a private doctoral university, also received the designation.

As an institution that has been named the top university in Virginia for value and upward mobility by The Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report, George �鶹��Ƶ is a catalyst for student success. U.S. News also named George �鶹��Ƶ the top school in Virginia for internships reflecting its commitment to developing the talent needed for today’s dynamic workforce.

George �鶹��Ƶ graduates earn among the highest starting salaries of graduates from Virginia public universities, on average about $8,000 more. According to a survey of 2024 George �鶹��Ƶ graduates, 85% reported a positive career outcome within six months of graduation. According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 73% of in-state George �鶹��Ƶ graduates launch their careers in Virginia, as do 29% of out-of-state George �鶹��Ƶ graduates. That out-of-state figure is 45% higher than the state average of 20%.

In the 2025 classifications, 479 institutions have been identified as Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which is about 16% of all classified institutions.

In addition, Carnegie also named George �鶹��Ƶ a Mixed Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Large institution, as part of its revamped institutional classifications. This classification includes 107 institutions, or 3% of U.S. colleges and universities in the institutional classification.

The “Mixed” portion recognizes the breadth of degrees George �鶹��Ƶ offers, with fewer than 50% awarded in any one category. The “Undergraduate/Graduate” portion requires what Carnegie calls “a sufficient focus on the doctorate,” and the “Large” designation is for schools with at least 20,000 students.

George �鶹��Ƶ is one of 107 schools nationwide to earn this designation, representing 3% of U.S. colleges and universities in this institutional classification.

The Carnegie Classifications are updated every three years, with the next scheduled for spring 2028. More information is available here.

Check out George �鶹��Ƶ in the Rankings

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George �鶹��Ƶ English professor named Guggenheim Fellow

Colleen Rich — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:52:30 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ English professor named Guggenheim Fellow Colleen Rich Thu, 04/17/2025 - 11:52

Tania James, associate professor of English at �鶹��Ƶ, has been named a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow in the Fiction category.

Tania James. Photo by Elliott O’Donovan

James, a professor in the Creative Writing Program, was one of 198 individuals in the United States and Canada awarded a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, which is celebrating its 100th class of Guggenheim Fellows. The Guggenheim Foundation has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in fellowships to nearly 20,000 notable individuals, many of whom have gone on to win other prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, the Fields Medal, and the National Book Award.

“Professor James is receiving this award in recognition of excellence in her career, thus far, and the exceptional promise her work holds for the future,” said George University Provost James Antony. “�鶹��Ƶ is incredibly proud of Professor James and looks forward to the continued contributions she will make as a scholar, and as a mentor to our students.”

The Class of 2025 Guggenheim Fellows represents individuals from 53 fields chosen from a pool of nearly 3,500 applicants. James was one of just 10 selected in the Fiction category. She plans to use the fellowship to work on her speculative historical fiction novel set in Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

“We are thrilled for Tania to receive this prestigious fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation,” Ann Ardis, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said. “This recognition speaks to Tania’s impact as an author. The Guggenheim Foundation celebrates those who show ‘exceptional promise,’ and we couldn’t be happier for Tania, who continues to inspire her peers and students.”

James is the author of four books, all published by Knopf. Her most recent novel, Loot, has received numerous accolades, including nominations for the 2023 National Book Award and the Carol Shields Prize in addition to being included on Book of the Year lists by the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, NPR, and Kirkus Reviews.

She has also written The Tusk That Did the Damage, which was a finalist for the International Dylan Thomas Prize; Aerogrammes and Other Stories, named a Best Book of 2012 by Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, and The San Francisco Chronicle; and the novel Atlas of Unknowns, which was a New York Times Editor’s Choice and a finalist for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. 

“I’m deeply grateful to have an institutional home like George �鶹��Ƶ, a place where I’m so often inspired by the research and teaching of my colleagues,” James said. “There is so much uncertainty with a life in the arts, but the sense of stability and support means I can take my time with my work and take the sort of creative risks necessary to feeling fulfilled as a writer."

Check out the Creative Writing program at George �鶹��Ƶ

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College of Public Health convenes panel on a growing public health crisis—social isolation

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 20:10:05 +0000

College of Public Health convenes panel on a growing public health crisis—social isolation Mary Cunningham Wed, 04/16/2025 - 16:10

When �鶹��Ƶ student Jawad H. first heard talk of reducing hours at the 24/7 campus dining hall, he saw more than a logistical issue—he saw a threat to a rare space where students could connect and stave off isolation. “I ran into a friend there at 11 p.m.,” he said during a recent College of Public Health panel. “By the time we finished talking, it was 3 a.m.”

As a member of the Student Government at the time, Jawad helped mobilize his peers to activate to preserve the dining hall’s hours—and defend its role as a social lifeline.

The theme and importance of intentional connection ran throughout “Stronger Together: The Impact of Social Ties on Public Health,” an April 9 panel at George �鶹��Ƶ's Fairfax Campus hosted by the College of Public Health. This year, the annual National Public Health Week “Conversations and Connections” event explored a growing recognition that loneliness isn’t just a personal issue but a public health threat.

Moderator Dean Melissa Perry and the panelists. Photo by Mary Cunningham/CPH

“Perhaps nothing has changed more profoundly in recent years than how we interact as human beings,” said Melissa Perry, dean of the College of Public Health, who moderated the panel. “We may check our phones hundreds of times a day, but go days without a real conversation. That disconnect has real health consequences.”

Two recent events helped elevate the issue: the collective isolation the world experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a 2023 advisory from then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declaring loneliness “a national epidemic.” Murthy’s report links social isolation to a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of dementia for older adults. Loneliness, he warned, is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“I’m glad that there’s a spotlight, because … loneliness has been sort of relegated to the purview of, this is an individual’s problem, as opposed to a systemic, structural problem,” said Rachel Wernicke, George �鶹��Ƶ’s chief mental health officer. “We’re seeing more acceptance that there’s a collective responsibility for addressing this.”

Moderator Dean Melissa Perry and the panelists. Photo by Mary Cunningham/CPH

Panelists focused on two groups especially vulnerable to isolation: older adults and young people.

George �鶹��Ƶ alumna Mary Louise Pomeroy, PhD Health Service Research '22, a postdoctoral researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted that 1 in 3 older adults report frequent loneliness, and around 25% are socially isolated. “What’s unique about older adults,” she said, “is the combination of high health needs with declining social support.”

For many in this population, technology—like smartphones, video chats, or even “social robots” in nursing homes—can be critical for easing isolation.

For young people, though, technology can sometimes have the opposite effect. “Their mood is just dropping,” said Wernicke, describing the impact of “passively scrolling” through social media. “But they’re not actually interacting—it’s the illusion of interaction.”

A 2022 national survey found that 60% of U.S. college students reported feeling “very lonely” in the past year.

Connections won’t emerge without deliberate intent, said LaToya Thomas, principal and founder of the urban planning consultancy Brick & Story, which focuses on community resilience. “We might need to do a little work, and that work is actually investing in our own inner curiosity about other humans,” she said. “And that curiosity might actually help pull someone out of a state of loneliness and isolation.”

Thomas pointed to tailgates before football games as one example of humans creating connections from inert spaces. “There is generally nothing exciting about these parking lots,” she said. But “people come and they bring chairs, they bring paraphernalia for their teams, they bring barbecue pits, they bring music. They literally create a space where there is no space. It’s really the intentionality of what we as social animals decide to do in terms of making spaces—as complex or simple as they can be—into something that is really dynamic.”

Watch the full panel here,

Past “Conversations and Connections” events have covered topics including climate change and public health (2024) and violence prevention (2023).

Learn more about the College of Public Health

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College of Public Health

Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence

Lauren Reuscher — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:49:41 +0000

Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence Lauren Reuscher Mon, 04/14/2025 - 10:49

�鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington has announced the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence, honoring 12 George �鶹��Ƶ faculty members for their work on behalf of the university, students, and the broader community.

The awards honor faculty with up to six years of service, six to 12 years of service, and more than 12 years of service.

This is the ninth year for the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence. Recipients are selected by a review committee that includes prior award recipients and senior leaders from relevant areas. They will be honored at a reception May 13.

“Faculty excellence is an undeniable reason why George �鶹��Ƶ is consistently ranked as one the country’s top 50 public universities,” President Gregory Washington said. “We honor these faculty members’ scholarship and dedication to help students achieve their highest potential with the university’s highest faculty recognition.”

The John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching is presented to a faculty member whose teaching inspires and stimulates students in the finest tradition of higher education.

The Beck Family Presidential Medal for Excellence in Research recognizes extraordinary contributions by members of the �鶹��Ƶ faculty to consequential research of high impact. The award is presented annually to a George �鶹��Ƶ faculty member whose research represents groundbreaking advances in their field.

The United Bank Presidential Medal for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion recognizes extraordinary contributions in teaching, research, scholarship, creative works, or service that directly advances diversity and inclusion inside and outside the George �鶹��Ƶ community.

The Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Excellence in Social Impact is presented to a faculty member in any discipline who makes extraordinary efforts to use their scholarship to solve real-world problems.

The complete list of 2025 honorees is below. See prior recipients for 2017 to 2024.

Bethany Cieslowski

Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient

Bethany Cieslowski

Chief Innovation Officer for Immersive Technologies and Instructional Associate Professor, School of Nursing

Bethany Cieslowski joined the faculty of the School of Nursing as an instructional faculty member in 2021. She serves as the chief innovation officer for immersive technologies and the bachelor of science in nursing director in the College of Public Health. Since 2017, when she received the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) certification, she has devoted herself to educating the nursing workforce of the future using simulation and technology. Cieslowski has been a pioneer at George �鶹��Ƶ in the use of virtual reality (VR) simulations that immerse students in clinical nursing scenarios. To aid this effort she established the College of Public Health’s VR SIM lab, which is the first lab in the country to receive accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for the use of immersive technologies in medical scenarios.

Angela Miller

John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching Recipient

Angela Miller

Associate Professor, College of Education and Human Development

Angela Miller is an associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development. Her primary teaching focus is on quantitative research methods. She has taught 13 different courses in her time at George �鶹��Ƶ, and she took the lead in redesigning the research methods curriculum for PhD students and developed three new courses to that end. While her own teaching has been focused on the graduate level, she took a lead role in developing, teaching, and now mentoring graduate students and other faculty in an undergraduate statistics course that is part of the �鶹��Ƶ Core for Quantitative Reasoning. Miller makes deliberate efforts to tailor her instruction to the unique needs of her students and she consistently receives outstanding evaluations. She has made significant contributions to graduate mentoring, having chaired six dissertation committees, served as the methodologist on an additional 18 dissertation committees, and chaired six MA thesis committees, as well as an additional 16 MA capstone projects. She was also a recipient of the 2017 �鶹��Ƶ Teaching Excellence Award.

Weiwen Jiang

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Weiwen Jiang

Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Weiwen Jiang, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing, received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019 and spent two years at the University of Notre Dame as a postdoctoral researcher. Jiang’s research is in the relatively new field of quantum computing, which uses quantum mechanics to enable computers to solve more complicated problems. Jiang’s research has important applications. For example, one of his recent papers combines quantum computational techniques with machine learning to solve problems relating to the discovery of new medicines. Jiang has an impressive research record of top-tier conference presentations and publications, some of which are in the most selective journals in his field (Nature Communications, Nature Electronics, Scientific Reports).

Xuesu Xiao

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Xuesu Xiao

Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department

Xuesu Xiao received his PhD in Computer Science in 2019 from Texas A&M University, and after three years in industry as a roboticist with Everyday Robots, an Alphabet/Google company, he joined the Computer Science Department in the College of Engineering and Computing. His research aims to develop intelligent mobile robots that can navigate in challenging terrain with minimal human oversight. His cutting-edge work in the field of social robot navigation seeks to develop robots that can navigate human-occupied public spaces safely while respecting social norms. At George �鶹��Ƶ, he established the RobotiXX Lab, in which he works with postdocs, graduate students, and high school students to develop deployable robots. An outstanding researcher, he was awarded the New Generation Star recognition at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Robotics and Automation.

Aarthi Narayanan

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Aarthi Narayanan

Professor, Biology Department

Aarthi Narayanan joined the George �鶹��Ƶ faculty as a tenure-line faculty in 2013 after spending six years at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease. She is currently a professor in the Biology Department in the College of Science. Her research focuses on the impact of viruses–including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Dengue, and HIV–on disease progression at the tissue and cell level. Her work has led to important discoveries in vaccine development, drug discovery, and biomarker identification for infectious diseases. Narayanan has an exceptional record of publications and external funding for her research. Moreover, she has been an exemplary citizen of the university and her profession. She has been a dedicated mentor to emerging scientists in academic and industry settings; a leader in mentoring junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students; a vital contributor to curriculum development for undergraduate and graduate programs; and dedicated to outreach to the local community, participating in STEM programs for girls.

Allison Redlich

The Beck Family Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Research Recipient

Allison Redlich

Professor, Criminology, Law and Society Department

Founder and Director, Modeling Decision-Making in the Legal System (MoDiLS) Lab

Allison Redlich is a professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and is the founder and director of George �鶹��Ƶ’s Modeling Decision-Making in the Legal System (MoDiLS) Lab. Her research is deeply interdisciplinary. Trained in psychology, she brings insights from that field to address critical issues facing the legal system. For example, she has published influential research about interrogations and confessions in police and military contexts. This scholarship has been widely cited in amicus briefs to states and the Supreme Court, and Redlich herself has provided expert testimony in important cases involving contested confessions. She has produced similarly influential research on topics such as guilty pleas and mental health courts. Her work is credited with transforming scholarly thinking on these topics, and by all accounts is having a significant impact on current practices within the legal system. A prolific scholar and researcher, she has been elected a Fellow to the three most influential organizations in her academic fields: the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Academy of Experimental Criminology. Redlich has also distinguished herself as a mentor and has received mentoring awards from George �鶹��Ƶ and from the American Society of Criminology and the American Psychology-Law Society.

Daphne King

Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient

Daphne King

Assistant Professor, Social Work Department

Daphne King joined the faculty at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of Social Work in the College of Public Health in 2020 as an assistant professor and also serves as the MSW Online Program director. Prior to arriving at George �鶹��Ƶ, she had an impactful career as a social worker working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, with homeless and incarcerated populations, and in school social work settings. King’s scholarship and national contributions focus on the intersection of social work practice, clinician identity, and pedagogical strategies. Within the Social Work Department at George �鶹��Ƶ, she has been proactive in providing leadership in course development, course refresh processes, and faculty training, particularly around online teaching to ensure that there is adequate support for diverse learners in digital and hybrid learning environments.

Janani Umamaheswar

Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient

Janani Umamaheswar

Associate Professor, Criminology, Law and Society

Janani Umamaheswar joined the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in 2021 as an assistant professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is also an affiliate faculty member in the Women and Gender Studies Program. She is an accomplished scholar whose research addresses issues relating to social inequality, punishment and incarceration, and qualitative research methods. In her teaching she makes a point to include a broad range of perspectives on whatever subject matter she is teaching, and in her course design she creates assessment methods that give students of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints the opportunity to share their learning in different modalities. She has also created experiential co-curricular activities designed to help students grasp issues relating to inequality. For example, she worked with the Douglass Project, the country’s foremost prison visitation program, to take George �鶹��Ƶ graduate students for a guided dialogue session in the Washington, D.C., jail. She has been an active member of the mentoring programs run by multiple divisions of the American Society of Criminology.

Jacqueline McDowell

United Bank Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Recipient

Jacqueline McDowell

Associate Professor, School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management

Assistant Dean for Faculty Success

Jacqueline McDowell is assistant dean for faculty success and associate professor in the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management in the College of Education and Human Development. A well-respected scholar, her work focuses primarily on diversity and inclusion in organized sports and recreation organizations. She has published widely in this field, particularly on the experiences of women and sport, such as athletic administrators and coaches. One of her articles was awarded the 2017 President’s Award for Article of Distinction at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. In McDowell’s teaching, issues of inclusion are central. She has also been active in advancing inclusion in her professional service, both here at George �鶹��Ƶ and in external professional organizations. For example, she serves on the American Kinesiology Association’s Membership Committee, where she has led efforts to bring more Historically Black Colleges and Universities into the field by developing outreach strategies. Due to the effectiveness of these efforts, she was asked to chair this committee for the American Kinesiology Association.

Margarita Tadevosyan

Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient

Margarita Tadevosyan

Research Assistant Professor and Executive Director, Center for Peacemaking Practice, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Margarita Tadevosyan received her PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from �鶹��Ƶ in 2019 and is a research assistant professor and executive director of the Center for Peacemaking Practice at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. She is a scholar-practitioner of conflict resolution and local peacebuilding, with a focus on South Caucasus and other post-Soviet areas. Specifically, she focuses on long-term peacebuilding, local conceptions of peace, local practices to build peace, and ways that international and local peacebuilders can work together respectfully. Tadevosyan’s social impact involves fostering dialogue and cooperation between communities that have experienced long-standing conflicts. She has also brought Carter School students into her work as co-planners, co-facilitators, and co-evaluators of conflict resolution and media literacy programs.

Susan Howard

Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient

Susan Howard

Instructional Associate Professor, School of Integrative Studies

Susan Howard joined George �鶹��Ƶ as a full-time faculty member in the School of Integrative Studies in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2016. Howard is an educator, behavioral scientist, and entrepreneur-innovator who leverages and humanizes technology for social impact. Her teaching, research, and entrepreneurial focus is broad, ranging from global health to environmental science and design thinking. Her impact beyond the university has come primarily through the free digital gaming platform that her company has produced for an audience of marginalized youth in India and Nepal. The games, which are free to play, are designed to educate youth about the social and public health decisions they face in their own lives. To extend the impact of her work, Howard has formed partnerships with stakeholders in the adolescent health sector, including NGOs, women entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. Howard’s gaming platform, “Games of Choice, Not of Chance,” has received multiple accolades for its work, including the 2024 Innovation Award at the Global Digital Health Summit.

Rebecca Goldin

Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Social Impact

Rebecca Goldin

Professor, Mathematical Sciences

Rebecca Goldin is Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the College of Science. For many years she has served as a driving force behind a global effort aimed at promoting statistical literacy among journalists and connecting the scientific community to the media. In that capacity she has written more than 100 articles, appeared in dozens of high-profile news shows and podcasts (CNN, NPR, ABC News, and PBS), and given a great number of public talks and interviews to audiences at major conferences and mathematics festivals. In addition to her far-reaching communication and outreach efforts, Goldin has done extensive volunteer work locally. Her efforts have been widely recognized by professional organizations in her field. In 2013, she was given the Association for Women in Mathematics Service Award for her contributions to the cause of educating women and girls in mathematics. In 2019, she was named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, an extraordinary honor that goes to only a few mathematics scholars per year, for both her scholarly contributions to the field of differential geometry and for her efforts to promote mathematical and statistical thinking to a wide audience.

�鶹��Ƶ the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence

Patricia King is May Employee of the Month
April 30, 2025
Around �鶹��Ƶ: Week of April 29, 2025
April 29, 2025
George �鶹��Ƶ Retirees: October 2024 to April 2025
April 25, 2025
Around �鶹��Ƶ: Week of April 22, 2025
April 22, 2025
Campus Notice: �鶹��Ƶ Day is Friday, April 25
April 18, 2025

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Q&A with Martina Cheung, Spring Commencement 2025 speaker

Can you share one piece of personal or professional advice you received that has influenced your life or career and that you would like to impart to this George �鶹��Ƶ Class of 2025?

What is one thing every college student should do to set themselves up for success after graduation?

George �鶹��Ƶ this spring rolled out a new model for universities to advance a responsible approach to harnessing artificial intelligence and driving societal impact. Where do you see AI five years from now?

What was it about George �鶹��Ƶ that led to S&P Global Ratings becoming a corporate partner with the university’s Costello College of Business? How can universities and industry, including S&P Global, best work together for the benefit of graduates and employers?

You grew up in Ireland. What brought you to the United States and how did that experience influence your career path?

Is there anything you would like to add?

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The Hylton Center Celebrates Successful 15th Anniversary Gala

In This Story

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�鶹��Ƶ Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop

See more from �鶹��Ƶ Korea

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Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships

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Spring 2025 Degree Celebration speakers

Wednesday, May 14

4:30 p.m. Schar School of Policy and Government

Thursday, May 15

2 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing, School of Computing

3 p.m. College of Visual and Performing Arts

6:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing, Volgenau School of Engineering

Friday, May 16

9:30 a.m. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)

11 a.m. Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

2 p.m. College of Science

6:30 p.m. Donald G. Costello College of Business

Saturday, May 17

9:30 a.m. College of Education and Human Development

1:30 p.m. Antonin Scalia Law School

2 p.m. College of Public Health

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This campus greenhouse is powered by the sun—and student innovation

Learn more about the Greenhouse and Gardens

Read More Like This

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George �鶹��Ƶ highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities

Check out George �鶹��Ƶ in the Rankings

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George �鶹��Ƶ English professor named Guggenheim Fellow

Check out the Creative Writing program at George �鶹��Ƶ

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College of Public Health convenes panel on a growing public health crisis—social isolation

Learn more about the College of Public Health

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Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence

Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient

Bethany Cieslowski

John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching Recipient

Angela Miller

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Weiwen Jiang

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Xuesu Xiao

Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient

Aarthi Narayanan

The Beck Family Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Research Recipient

Allison Redlich

Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient

Daphne King

Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient

Janani Umamaheswar

United Bank Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Recipient

Jacqueline McDowell

Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient

Margarita Tadevosyan

Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient

Susan Howard

Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Social Impact

Rebecca Goldin

�鶹��Ƶ the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence

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