At �鶹��Ƶ

Patriots named co-regular season champions, earning 2nd seed in A-10 Tournament

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:20:51 +0000

Patriots named co-regular season champions, earning 2nd seed in A-10 Tournament Katarina Benson Mon, 03/02/2026 - 13:20

The George �鶹��Ƶ women's basketball team has captured a share of the 2026 Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship—the first regular season conference title in program history. The Patriots closed league play with a program-best 16-2 conference record, marking their strongest Atlantic 10 ever.

George �鶹��Ƶ shares the title with Rhode Island after both teams finished atop the A-10 standings. The 16 conference victories set a new school record and cap one of the most successful seasons in program history. The championship also marks another major milestone, as the Patriots secure their first-ever stretch of three consecutive 20-win seasons—a testament to the sustained excellence being built at George �鶹��Ƶ.

The �鶹��Ƶ women's team finished with their best record. Photo by Matt Durisko/Magnolia Media PA

By virtue of their regular season finish and conference tie-breaker protocol, the Patriots have earned the No. 2 seed and a double-bye in the 2026 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship. George �鶹��Ƶ will open tournament play in the quarterfinal round on Friday, March 6, at 5 p.m. on USA Network, facing either No. 7 Dayton or No. 10 George Washington.

Join the Patriots at the Henrico Sports & Events Center as they look to repeat as Atlantic 10 Champions during the 2026 Atlantic 10 Tournament. Tickets are available through the George �鶹��Ƶ Ticket Office; visit Ticketmaster or call the Athletic Ticket Office at 703-993-3270.

Need a ride? Hop on the fan bus and join the pregame pep rally inside the arena one hour before each game. To save your seat on the fan bus, email Jeff Danaher. Register for the pregame pep rally through the George �鶹��Ƶ Alumni Association.

Learn more about the �鶹��Ƶ Women's Basketball Team

George �鶹��Ƶ’s Ilia Malinin claims Olympic gold

Katarina Benson — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:07:39 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ’s Ilia Malinin claims Olympic gold Katarina Benson Mon, 02/09/2026 - 14:07

On Saturday, February 7, �鶹��Ƶ student and reigning world figure skating champion Ilia Malinin helped power the United States to a team figure skating gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.

“This is your moment—it’s either do or die,” Malinin told reporters following his performance. “You have to go into this 100% and really know that it’s all up to you. I went in there with that mindset and really just let everything take its course.”

In his Olympic debut, Malinin, a 21-year-old exploratory studies major in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, became the first George �鶹��Ƶ student or alumni to ever claim a Winter Olympics gold medal. He’ll be a heavy favorite to add to his medal haul when the men’s singles competition gets underway on Tuesday, February 10, starting at 12:30 p.m.

Malinin and Team USA won the teams' figure skating gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

To support Malinin, large TV screens have been set up in the Johnson Center atrium on the Fairfax Campus and in the lobby of Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square, giving the �鶹��Ƶ Nation the opportunity to gather and cheer one of their own.

A Vienna native and 2023 graduate of George C. Marshall High School, Malinin—nicknamed the “Quad God”—has been one of the most recognizable figures of the Olympics, known for both his charisma and his ability to push the sport forward through the extreme difficulty of his jumps. He’s the only figure skater to have successfully landed a quad axel in competition, a jump requiring four and a half revolutions.

After a solid performance in Saturday’s initial skate, Malinin upped his game in spectacular fashion the following day, executing five quad jumps to help Team USA surpass Japan for Olympic gold.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Malinin reflected on the pressure of competing as the overwhelming favorite.

“That’s something that everyone has to go through. They have to find a way to motivate themselves and keep it together during that pressure,” he said. “A lot of the times, I’m able to use that pressure and embrace it and tell myself, ‘You have all the attention, now it’s your time to go out there and do what you know how to do, and put your trust in everything you’ve worked to up to this moment.’”

“I was around 13 when I realized that I could skate for more than just fun.”

Ilia Malinin

Read an interview with George �鶹��Ƶ student Ilia Malinin

The �鶹��Ƶ Nation came together to cheer on Ilia Malinin as he competed on the Olympic stage.

Driving community spirit: Kathy McKay's impact on George �鶹��Ƶ

Katarina Benson — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:44:25 +0000

Driving community spirit: Kathy McKay's impact on George �鶹��Ƶ Katarina Benson Tue, 12/16/2025 - 07:44

Kathleen (Kathy) McKay has deep ties to Fairfax, Virginia, her hometown. Her parents, James "Smilin’ Jim" and Ruth Averill McKay, were pioneers in the Fairfax business community; her father opened Jim McKay Chevrolet in 1956, becoming one of the first car dealers in the area.

As student athlete at Woodson High School, she grew up near �鶹��Ƶ's burgeoning Fairfax Campus. “I played field hockey, I played softball, and I was a swimmer,” she said.

McKay with �鶹��Ƶ basketball players on the K. McKay Court. Photo provided by �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

Much of that swim experience took place at a neighborhood club, where her own daughters still hold records from the 1990s. After graduating from James Madison University, she returned to Fairfax.

McKay is now the president of Jim McKay Chevrolet, a sponsor for many student activities and sports at George �鶹��Ƶ, and Intercollegiate Athletics has been at the heart of her personal connection with the university. Since the mid-1990s, she’s been an avid Patriots fan, attending many men's and women's basketball games, including the ones out of town, often with her daughters and now her grandchildren.

“I’ve always been a sports person,” McKay said. “I love college athletics; it’s the excitement. This is something that the athletes really, really want to do, and so few make it [to this level].”

She also appreciates the role college sports plays in bringing a community together. “It’s everything. No matter what your preference is, we offer every sport to allow a fan to be involved.”

McKay's support extends far beyond the sidelines. She has been a generous donor to George �鶹��Ƶ for nearly 20 years, serving as a member of the Patriot Club Advisory Board and in the Green Coat Society, which recognizes generous, multi-year donors.

In 2017, she made a leadership gift to the university's basketball fundraising campaign, resulting in the naming of the K. McKay Court at the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC). Her philanthropy has included substantial gifts—in conjunction with the family-linked Richard W. Averill Foundation and Jim McKay Chevrolet—to a variety of George �鶹��Ƶ’s teams, including a pledge that touched all 22 sports teams during an annual �鶹��Ƶ Vision Day.

She has also made gifts to the College of Visual and Performing Arts' scholarship benefit ARTS by George! and to the Green Machine ensembles.

“Kathy McKay embodies the spirit of George �鶹��Ƶ and the Northern Virginia community,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Her loyalty and generosity have touched every corner of our program—from cheering courtside to investing in opportunities that enrich the student-athlete experience. Kathy’s passion, rooted in family and community, reflects the very best of what it means to be a Patriot, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have her in our corner.”

McKay and President Washington. Photo provided by �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

McKay carries on a family tradition of philanthropy and community service—George �鶹��Ƶ’s Jim McKay Natatorium in the Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Fairfax Campus, a regional resource that includes a 50-meter Olympic-sized competition pool, bears the name of her father. She is continuing that tradition and is encouraging a culture of connected philanthropy through her own children: her daughter, April, and son-in-law, Matt, are also active supporters of George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics.

McKay has been there for some of basketball’s biggest moments.

She remembers being warmly welcomed by the men’s basketball team, including then-coach Jim Larrañaga and his wife, Liz, when she traveled with the team to the ESPN Events Invitational Thanksgiving tournament in Orlando, Florida, in 2007. She also attended Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) Tournaments at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, including “during COVID, in March 2020, [when] we got sent home after winning our first game.”

McKay was also in the front rows at the Robins Center in Richmond when the men’s basketball team defeated the University of Richmond to claim the 2025 A-10 regular season title, the team’s first. That same season saw Patriots Head Coach Tony Skinn, whom McKay had known since his undergraduate days, named A1-0 Coach of the Year.

“Tony was my pick from day one when we were searching for a coach,” she said.

With a grandson in tow, McKay traveled in March 2025 with the women’s basketball team to Richmond for the A-10 Women's Basketball Championship, where George �鶹��Ƶ defeated St. Joseph’s to claim the title for the first time.

“I couldn’t not go, and they win this thing—because I really thought they could,” she said.

She also joined the women’s team for the España 2025 cultural and athletic expedition, where the Patriots played international opponents in Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona. With her on the trip was her eldest granddaughter, who has been attending games with McKay since she was six months old.

“Riley and I had a time together that neither one of us will ever forget!” she said.

She plans to enjoy as many games and team activities as she can fit on her calendar. “I love it!” she said. “I’m always looking at the schedule to see who’s playing what.”

Learn More

George �鶹��Ƶ and MetroStar launch partnership to fuel federal tech talent and innovation

Katarina Benson — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:02:54 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ and MetroStar launch partnership to fuel federal tech talent and innovation Katarina Benson Fri, 12/12/2025 - 11:02

More than two decades ago, three �鶹��Ƶ students launched a company from their dorm room with a belief that technology would drive change in the federal government.

Today, that company—MetroStar, a venture-backed leader in AI enabled services—has come full circle. The company is proud to announce a multi-year strategic partnership with George �鶹��Ƶ, solidifying a shared mission to empower the next generation of tech leaders and public servants.

Through the agreement, MetroStar will support students and programming across George �鶹��Ƶ. It will become a Costello Corporate Partner in the Donald G. Costello College of Business and an Industry Partner in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC).

Through these partnerships, MetroStar will launch a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students with preference for those minoring in government contracting or management information systems, and a Clearance Ready Scholarship for students interested in obtaining a national security clearance.

“MetroStar’s investment in the Costello Corporate Partners program aligns closely with our strategic priorities, particularly in fostering innovative business collaboration and advancing career readiness,” said Ajay Vinzé, interim provost and Costello College of Business dean. “Their support will expand access to education in government contracting for our students and strengthen the academic offerings of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting, the first university-based center in the nation focused on the business, policy, and regulatory dimensions of this vital sector.”

MetroStar will also support academic initiatives through the Dean’s Excellence Funds in CEC and Costello, in furtherance of strategic academic initiatives. “This gift from MetroStar, which will support the education and training of our students who are interested in serving our nation as federal employees or as employees of our government contractors,” said CEC Dean Ken Ball. “The partnership will also enhance our clearance ready programs by developing additional experiential learning opportunities, including internships and applied research projects involving classified technologies that protect our nation.”

MetroStar’s CEO and co-founder Ali Reza Manouchehri, BA Philosophy '99.

The philanthropic commitment deepens MetroStar’s long-standing relationship with its co-founders’ alma mater while advancing workforce readiness and innovation aligned to national priorities.

MetroStar’s CEO and co-founder Ali Reza Manouchehri, who earned a BA in philosophy from George �鶹��Ƶ in 1999, is the 2025 Winter Commencement Speaker, a privilege that shows his enduring connection to the university and his passion for inspiring the next generation of innovators.

“This is more than a corporate partnership. It’s a personal return,” said Manouchehri. “George �鶹��Ƶ is where we built the foundation for MetroStar. We’re investing in students who will one day shape the digital future of government just like we dreamed about doing back then.”

Manouchehri started MetroStar with fellow Patriots Robert Santos, BA International Relations ’99, who became the company’s president, and Pirooz Javan, BS Systems Engineering ’02, who served as its chief operating officer from 1999 to 2006.

A Vision for the Future Federal Workforce

The three-year partnership, running through 2028, creates a new model of agile collaboration between academia and the public sector, bridging the fast-paced world of government innovation with the grounded mission of education. It reflects the growing need under the new federal administration to build talent pipelines that are not only technically skilled but clearance ready and public service minded.

Earlier this year, George �鶹��Ƶ released its plan for advancing a responsible approach to harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and driving societal impact. Through AI²Nexus, the university is building a nexus of collaboration and resources on campus, in partnerships like the one with MetroStar, and across the state.

As federal agencies embrace AI, digital transformation, and faster acquisition models, companies like MetroStar are reinforcing the importance of the human side of innovation, ensuring that the workforce of tomorrow is built on a foundation of collaboration, education, and civic commitment.

From College Campus to National Service

The partnership extends into the university’s forward-leaning spaces, places where creativity, entrepreneurship, and service intersect.

MetroStar’s partnership will fuel the �鶹��Ƶ Innovation Exchange (MIX), a hands-on incubator for student-driven ideas, and power events like PatriotHacks, the university’s high-energy hackathon that challenges students to solve real-world problems with code and courage.

“Our partnership isn’t about one-off contributions but investing in people and the future of civil servants who will protect and guide the nation,” said Manouchehri. “We’re creating deliberate pathways from campus to cleared service, from idea to implementation, and from classroom projects to real-world impact.”

Learn More

Q&A with Ali Reza Manouchehri

The run that changed a program: George �鶹��Ƶ marks the 20th anniversary of its 2006 Final Four appearance

Katarina Benson — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:47:55 +0000

The run that changed a program: George �鶹��Ƶ marks the 20th anniversary of its 2006 Final Four appearance Katarina Benson Wed, 12/10/2025 - 15:47

The 2006 Final Four run by the �鶹��Ƶ men’s basketball team was an achievement so improbable, so unprecedented, that it transformed how the college basketball world viewed possibility itself.

Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

Now, 20 years later, the Patriots will honor that magical postseason journey on Saturday, December 13, when they host Old Dominion University at EagleBank Arena. That run endures as one of the most defining moments in the university’s history and one of the NCAA Tournament’s most memorable Cinderella stories. What began as a hopeful March ended with a mid-major program standing on college basketball’s biggest stage.

They captured the hearts of the nation along the way.

“That definitely opened the door for mid-majors,” said George �鶹��Ƶ men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn, who was the starting point guard on that Final Four team. “It showed that if you have belief, the right players, and the right coaches, anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament.”

That belief was tested again and again throughout that 2006 run.

Competing out of the relatively unknown Colonial Athletic Association, the Patriots became the league’s first Final Four representative, toppling one powerhouse after another.

They opened tournament play with a 75-65 win over a Michigan State, a team that had returned four starters from the previous season’s Final Four squad. The sixth-seeded Spartans had outlasted George �鶹��Ƶ by six points in an early regular-season meeting a year earlier.

Lamar Butler signing copies of Sports Illustrated at the Bookstore. Photo by Office of University Branding

Next came the North Carolina Tar Heels, the No. 3 seed and the reigning NCAA champions, who fell 65-60 in the Patriots’ second and final game in Dayton, Ohio. From there, George �鶹��Ƶ returned to the nearby Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., where a heavily partisan crowd watched four Patriots score in double figures in a 63-55 Sweet 16 win over fellow mid-major and No. 7 overall seed Wichita State University. That victory advanced the Patriots to the Elite Eight against overall No. 1 seed University of Connecticut.

Loaded with talent, the Huskies featured four players who would soon be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, and five who would be among the league’s top 40 picks. They were also led by Hall of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun.

Fueled by a massive and vocal �鶹��Ƶ Nation presence, the Patriots embraced the underdog role against UConn. After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half and nine in the second, George �鶹��Ƶ rallied to shock the sports world with an 86-84 overtime win—one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history —punctuating the victory with a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

“It was great for college basketball,” said Lamar Butler, a former standout senior guard on that Final Four team who now serves as George �鶹��Ƶ’s director of player development. “That’s what people watch the tournament for.”

Final Four watch party in the Johnson Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

In the years since, Virginia Commonwealth University (2011), Loyola Chicago (2018), UCLA (2021), and North Carolina State (2024) have also reached the Final Four as 11th seeds. LSU was the first to accomplish the feat in 1986.

“We believed in ourselves,” said Jim Larrañaga who serves as head coach at George �鶹��Ƶ from 1997 to 2011. “We weren’t hoping to win. We believed we would win.”

More than 10,000 fans packed what was then the Patriot Center when the team returned home following its dramatic win over UConn.

Before the tournament, George �鶹��Ƶ was largely unknown beyond the Mid-Atlantic region. That changed almost overnight. The team’s improbable run generated an estimated $677.5 million in free publicity from print and broadcast exposure, according to a study conducted by Robert Baker, former interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development and Professor Emeritus of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management.

The university also reported an 800% increase in traffic to its official website, while the university bookstore in the Johnson Center—typically averaging $11,000 in weekly sales—made shy of $1 million in the 10 days leading up to the Final Four. University admission inquiries increased by 350%, with out-of-state applications rising by 40%.

Butler still recalls when he playing overseas several months later, walking through a town in Croatia wearing a George �鶹��Ƶ shirt, and a local boy approached him.

“George �鶹��Ƶ–Final Four!” the boy exclaimed, much to Butler’s astonishment.

This weekend’s remembrance festivities will include the return of most members of the 2006 team, and the raising of a banner in EagleBank Arena in honor of the now-retired Larrañaga.

“It was one of those moments that, when you experience it, it never really leaves your mindset,” Skinn said. “To think that it was 20 years ago is unbelievable, but having a day to celebrate it is definitely exciting.”

This weekend, that memory returns to life as a new generation of Patriots gathers to celebrate the run that changed everything.

Learn about the Anniversary Event

Reinventing Virginia’s Health Care Future

Katarina Benson — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:42:06 +0000

Reinventing Virginia’s Health Care Future Katarina Benson Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:42

As Virginia faces growing shortages in the health care workforce, the Claude Moore Foundation and �鶹��Ƶ have formed a groundbreaking partnership to seek solutions and build a flexible, inclusive, and data-driven workforce pipeline. The effort is one designed not just to meet current needs but to shape a stronger, more equitable future for health care in the commonwealth.

At the center of this partnership is William Hazel, former Virginia secretary of health and human resources and now CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities, the foundation’s arm for strategic partnerships. Hazel’s longstanding relationship with George �鶹��Ƶ—he served as senior advisor for strategic initiatives from 2018 to 2020—helped seed many of the elements that define this collaboration.

That ethos underpins the Claude Moore Foundation’s guiding philosophy to open doors and expand opportunity. By investing in innovative models that expand access and strengthen workforce readiness, the foundation is helping to remove barriers and build ladders.

Through George �鶹��Ƶ’s Center for Health Workforce at the College of Public Health, the university plays a leading role as Virginia’s hub for workforce research and strategy. The center’s work has led to the development of statewide data platforms that have shaped policy, informing local pilot programs in more remote areas of Virginia and driving conversations about behavioral health and early childhood care.

The Claude Moore Career Highway is one pathway to draw more health care workers. This new framework treats the health care workforce not as a single pipeline but as a network, offering “on-ramps and off-ramps” to support Virginians seeking this career path at any stage of life, whether they’re high school students, career switchers, or adults returning to school after time away.

The Claude Moore Scholars Program is another key component of efforts to expand the workforce, introducing high school students to health care careers through hands-on experiences and clear pathways from K–12 to college to career. Already active in 17 Virginia districts and expanding, the program reflects both Claude Moore’s and George �鶹��Ƶ’s shared commitment to access, equity, and tangible outcomes.

The impact is measurable. Many of the program’s graduates return to serve in their home communities, reflecting a model that’s not just about producing talent—but producing the right talent for Virginia.

As Hazel puts it, “This workforce issue is cresting. The question is how do we attract people, train them, and help them grow?” Thanks to the partnership between Claude Moore and George �鶹��Ƶ, Virginia is beginning to answer that question—boldly, equitably, and with lasting impact.

This partnership is part of �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible, George �鶹��Ƶ's historic $1 billion campaign to advance student success, research, innovation, stewardship, and community engagement.

Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square powers research and innovation through collaboration

ckearney — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:16:02 +0000

Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square powers research and innovation through collaboration ckearney Mon, 09/29/2025 - 16:16

�鶹��Ƶ celebrated Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square with the same collaborative spirit that will fuel decades of innovation at the state-of-the-art facility in Arlington, Virginia. Hundreds of representatives from industry, academia, government, and the community came together for the grand celebration at Fuse on Thursday, which included Governor Glenn Youngkin speaking at the ribbon cutting for the Energy Exploration (E2) Center.

“Igniting a fuse signifies the moment where possibility transforms into inevitability,” George �鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington said during the main program celebration that culminated the grand opening event. “It's that razor-thin instant where preparation meets decision and hesitation gives way to action. What we have done today is strike that initial flame. And that initial flame is a declaration that the future will no longer be passive. It will unfold because you dare to set it in motion.”

Fuse, which anchors the Arlington Innovation Corridor that runs from Rosslyn to Ballston, is a “a factory of dreams, factory of ideas,” said Takis Karantonis, chair of the Arlington County Board. Fuse will house research and economic opportunities in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, power/energy, Next G communications, nuclear small reactor control systems, and data center engineering.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Much of that work will support the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative. In addition, �鶹��Ƶ Enterprise will support thousands of entrepreneurs in tech and other fields on their path to commercialization and adoption of their ideas and inventions.

Washington singled out several key figures in the completion of the Fuse project, including College of Engineering and Computing dean Ken Ball; Liza Wilson Durant, associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement; and �鶹��Ƶ Innovation Partners, a development consortium led by Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate. The event also included acknowledgment of the key role philanthropy plays at George �鶹��Ƶ, giving thanks to Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, whose names grace Virginia’s first School of Computing.

“We are celebrating more than a building,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of advancement and alumni relations and president of the �鶹��Ƶ Foundation. “We are celebrating a bold vision come to life, a place where ideas, partnerships, opportunities will shape our future. So consider this an open invitation. Partner with us, invest with us. Help us ensure that the energy we celebrate today continues to inspire generations of thinkers, doers, and leaders.”

Ball said that 44 engineering and computing faculty have moved into their offices at Fuse and are setting up their labs, and 120 PhD students are there as well. Hundreds of students are already enrolled in classes at Fuse, where there are labs for robotics and autonomous systems, virtual reality, power engineering, networking, cybersecurity, and other innovative pursuits. With Fuse fully open, every school and college at �鶹��Ƶ now has a presence at �鶹��Ƶ Square.

From left, Vice President Trishana E. Bowden, Long Nguyen, Kimmy Duong, President Gregory Washington, and Dean Ken Ball at the Grand Celebration for Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“You'll see the best minds in higher education and private industry together tackling some of society's toughest ethical and technical challenges,” George �鶹��Ƶ Board of Visitors Rector Charles “Cully” Stimson said. “And most importantly, you'll see our students gaining the kinds of hands-on experience that will carry them into the workforce ready to lead.”

Ball was one of multiple speakers to thank the university’s philanthropists, including Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, who gave a $20 million gift to establish the state’s first School of Computing in their name. Duong and Nguyen also provide scholarships to students at George �鶹��Ƶ and other colleges and universities in the Washington, D.C., region through the Kimmy Duong Foundation.

One scholarship recipient is Rakibul Alam, an Honors College student in the Costello College of Business. Alam has served in Student Government and as a student ambassador at the business school, launched a startup called Project Hope to improve the availability of menstrual health products in Bangladesh, and studied abroad in Morocco and India. Alam also is president of �鶹��Ƶ Consulting Group and interned with the Department of the Navy and KPMG.

“The generosity of our donors, including the Kimmy Duong Foundation, has not only helped me with the financial challenges of tuition, books, and living expenses, but has also help me accomplish my dream of a global education,” Alam said in thanking Duong and Nguyen, telling them, “You are changing lives and creating a generation of students who will be giving back. You are making this world a better place. And I hope that I can be part of that change and to represent you well.”

The Fuse celebration included the dedication and ribbon cutting of the Energy Exploration (E2) Center, the largest small modular reactor (SMR) control room simulator of its kind in the country, and one of 11 in the world.

E2, in partnership with NuScale Power Corporation, will provide students with opportunities to learn on the latest technology to become leaders and innovators in the sustainable energy workforce, a shared vision among higher education, government and industry.

Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank funded E2 as part of the Virginia Department of Energy’s investments in the state’s nuclear energy workforce development.

“You all are about to engage in a step function change in your ability to understand the power of nuclear power,” Youngkin said, singling out the students and faculty in attendance at the dedication on the seventh floor of Fuse. “Because you're no longer going to be reading about SMRs. You're no longer going to wish that you could work on one. You are going to be able to walk into that room….and do something incredible, which is prepare yourself for an extraordinary career.

“We have a collective moment to celebrate, a collective moment to say this is a step that we will all remember that the workforce of the future in order to drive the power of the future was right here at �鶹��Ƶ.”

Glenn Davis, BA Economics ’93, is the state’s energy director. He joined Youngkin, Washington, and NuScale Chief Commercial Officer Clayton Scott at the dedication.

“�鶹��Ƶ has been an exceptional partner building curriculum, recruiting talent, and opening this space to educators, local leaders, and the public. It’s the right capacity and capability in the right place at the right time,” Davis said.

At a VIP reception that preceded the E2 event, Washington thanked several groups for their involvement in Fuse, including the President’s Innovation Advisory Council, which includes representatives from industry, community, and government.

Washington specifically cited Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, for the extensive role he has played in championing Fuse and lifting technological innovation in Northern Virginia, including attracting Amazon HQ2 to the region.

“His efforts to drive economic growth, jobs, and investment across Northern Virginia has been recognized and championed all throughout the country,” Washington said. “He has been a huge supporter of us, putting George �鶹��Ƶ literally at the center of that development, and has been incredibly helpful in helping to move it forward.

“He has provided leadership and vision in shaping Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square as a model for collaboration among business, government, and academia.”

George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and students presented interactive demonstrations involving drones, robots, and other tools of technological advancement.

“When the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Northern Virginia community, and �鶹��Ƶ work together, there is absolutely no limit to what we can achieve and achieve together,” Washington said.

Learn more about Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square

2025 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders

ckearney — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:01:01 +0000

2025 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders ckearney Mon, 09/15/2025 - 16:01

For more than 30 years, �鶹��Ƶ’s Alumni Association (GMUAA) has recognized the achievements of George �鶹��Ƶ alumni at its annual Celebration of Distinction awards program. Since it was first held in 1975, this program has evolved from a reception honoring four alumni, to become one of the premier Alumni Association functions each year.

The GMUAA selects five nominees for the following awards: Alumnus/a of the Year, Alumni Service Award, Faculty Member of the Year, Senior of the Year, and Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.). Distinguished alumni from colleges/units and alumni chapters were also recognized.

Here are this year’s top five honorees:

Photo provided

Saddam Azlan Salim, BS Public Administration ’12, MPA ’15, is Alumnus of the Year. While growing up in his native Bangladesh, Salim and his family experienced severe drought followed by the flood of 1998, the country's most extreme and long-lasting flood of the century. His family came to the United States when he was 10. After experiencing homelessness shortly after moving to the United States, his family settled in Fairfax County, Virginia, where Salim attended Falls Church High School and then �鶹��Ƶ. He now works in federal financial management and consulting. In November 2023, he was elected to the Virginia Senate and represent the 37th District.

Photo provided

Janis P. Tupesis, BA Biology ‘95, received the Alumni Service Award. He is a faculty member in the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and vice president of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine. He is recognized for his global work on emergency health care and education and received the 2018 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the Global Emergency Medicine Academy. Among his roles, Tupesis serves as a volunteer technical consultant at the emergency, trauma, and acute care program in the World Health Organization’s Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence, and Injury Prevention. During his time at George �鶹��Ƶ, Tupesis was a student athlete—serving as an outside hitter on the men's volleyball team for four years.

Photo provided

Merone Hailemeskel, BA Economics ’15, MPP ’17, received the Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award. She is the digital director and communications associate for former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Hailemeskel also worked on the first lady’s Reach Higher initiative, where she led research efforts and awarded more than $250,000 in grants to support public school teachers and school counselors, and the Better Make Room campaign, which encourages students to complete their education past high school. She was previously communication and digital director at Common App, supporting their 900 member colleges and universities.

Photo provided

Leeya Mehta, director of George �鶹��Ƶ’s Alan Cheuse International Writers Center, is Faculty Member of the Year. She is a prize-winning poet, fiction writer, and essayist whose short fiction and poetry have appeared in publications nationally and internationally. Mehta received the 2024 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Civic Excellence Award for her work within the classroom and the curation of the Baldwin100 project that celebrated the centennial of James Baldwin's literary contributions. The project collaborated with 16 Washington, D.C., area organizations to produce 28 events and exhibitions featuring dozens of visual artists, musicians, and writers and received two American Graphic Design Awards. Read more about her.

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Haley White, BA Art History; BS Business Management ’25, is Senior of the Year. As a student, the Lynchburg, Virginia, native helped lead the Costello College of Business Day of Service event, which included packing 3,000 pounds of donated food. White was the design lead for the �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness Guidebook, served as a teaching assistant, and was the creative mind behind many posters and flyers on campus. She co-wrote numerous articles and was featured in the Costello College’s brand launch video. She plans to spend time working in North Carolina and traveling following graduation. Read more about her.

In addition to the five honorees, 18 alumni received Distinguished Alumni Awards from their school, college, or affinity alumni chapter at this year’s September event.

See the full list of awardees

Connect with the Alumni Association

ACCESS Academy’s inaugural AI Summer Camp builds critical technology skills—and miniature robots

Sarah Holland — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:38:25 +0000

ACCESS Academy’s inaugural AI Summer Camp builds critical technology skills—and miniature robots Sarah Holland Wed, 08/06/2025 - 09:38

In the kitchenette on the third floor of Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square, students huddle around laptops and inspect the codes on display in their Microsoft MakeCode programs. By their sides are little micro:bit three-wheeled robots. One sings a little 8-bit tune. Another flashes a pattern of colored lights. Another chirps like a bird, as the students at the table share a perplexed look.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

These high school students have spent the past week working on their robots, from assembly to coding, to make them do basic tasks like follow a provided track. Now, they’re each trying to do something new: make it go faster, sing a song, drive in reverse, or flash its lights like a turn signal. With every spin-out, slow-motion crash, or odd sound, the students return to their laptops to reprogram the bot and try again. If one student is struggling, they turn to their peers. Together, they’re making the robots work.

This is the inaugural ACCESS Academy Artificial Intelligence Summer Camp. Open to all 9th—12th graders across Virginia, the camp runs three one-week sessions at the ACCESS Academy headquarters in Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square. Through hands-on exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, students can imagine and begin preparing for technology-sector careers. Only in its first year, the camp already has 130 total participants over the course of three sessions.

"The goal of ACCESS Academy is to create a more inclusive pathway to college and high-demand careers for students who may not have previously seen those opportunities as within reach,” said Dean Ingrid Guerra-López of �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).

“We continue to hear from industries that we are not preparing our high school graduates to be employable,” said Roberto Pamas, professor of education leadership and director of the ACCESS Academy. Prior to his transition to teaching higher education, Pamas served 30 years in Fairfax County Public Schools as both an educator and an administrator. “They want both technology skills and soft skills. How to collaborate, how to communicate: we’re building those skills in these programs. And CEHD is in the business of teaching, learning, and leading.”

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

AI was a natural choice for the camp’s curriculum. Working with faculty from the College of Engineering and Computing, the CEHD ACCESS Academy team developed a five-day program to build foundational skills to set students up for success.

The first four days of the camp focus on conceptual understanding and real-world applications of those ideas. On Friday, guest speakers from local education innovation technology company Kovexa engaged with students as part of a tinkering lab.

“AI represents a cutting-edge field and a dynamic problem space where students can practice essential skills such as critical thinking, ethical reasoning, collaboration, and problem-solving,” said Guerra-López. “It’s not just about coding, but about asking better questions, evaluating outputs, and imaging new possibilities.”

The students agree.

Mariia Tkach (center) tests her robot on the track. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“I really like the atmosphere of people coming together and doing the things that they love,” said Mariia Tkach, a rising sophomore at Marshall High School. Her father works in cybersecurity, and she hopes to follow in his footsteps. “We had an AI training, and it was very challenging. The process of figuring it out and competing with one another was fun.”

Arkash Reith, who is entering his sophomore year at Evergreen Christian School, said, “This camp gave me experience in what AI can help you do as well as what it can’t help you do. Like, with coding, it can help with basic stuff, but nothing too hard.”

After each day, students write down one word to describe their experience. From this first week, the white board is filled with words like “fun,” “inspiring,” and “fascinating.”

Guerra-López envisions the bootcamp not only as a hands-on learning experience for students, but as a launchpad for expanding access to AI education across the region.

“The tinkering lab model in particular is a powerful way to reduce anxiety around emerging technologies, increase skill and self-efficacy for both students and educators, and foster a stronger sense of community around innovation,” she said.

Plans are underway to explore how this model can scale—both to offer more advanced learning tracks for students and to engage educators in professional development that supports responsible, inclusive digital innovation.

“George �鶹��Ƶ is a keeper of knowledge for Northern Virginia,” Pamas said. “And I believe it is our moral imperative to share that knowledge, particularly with students who otherwise might not have access to higher education.”

Discover the ACCESS Academy

Student group ‘Accessible’ connects global tech with local advocacy

Katarina Benson — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:10:40 +0000

Student group ‘Accessible’ connects global tech with local advocacy Katarina Benson Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:10

This spring, Accessible, a registered student organization (RSO) at �鶹��Ƶ Korea, expanded its mission of promoting inclusive environments across continents.

Yim visits NaviLens in Spain.

Founded in fall 2024 by Eunchong Yim, a junior global affairs major who now serves as its president, Accessible began as a group of six students raising awareness about accessibility and disability advocacy in South Korea. It has since grown into a platform for real-world impact.

In April, Yim traveled to Murcia, Spain, to visit NaviLens—a global leader in assistive technology—and to produce the first Korean-language introduction to the company’s work. NaviLens’ QR code system enables blind and partially sighted individuals to access location-based information, such as potential physical obstacles or physical descriptions of the environment, with their smartphones. Accessible hopes to help introduce this technology into South Korea’s public spaces.

Accessible is uniquely positioned to link global innovation with local needs. This semester, the group began discussions with the Songdo-based National Museum of World Writing Systems—South Korea’s second most visited museum—about a potential collaborative exhibition to enhance accessibility. The connection emerged from course field trips, such as INTS 245 Visual Culture and Society, and was made possible by the enthusiasm of museum staff.

A simulation of using NaviLens.

In a timely coincidence, George �鶹��Ƶ also began testing NaviLens codes on the Fairfax Campus, �鶹��Ƶ Square in Arlington, and the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. As a result, Yim was connected with a member of the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community. By sharing updates on events related not only to NaviLens but also to virtual reality games and accessible environments more broadly, �鶹��Ƶ Korea and the Virginia-based campuses are exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

Yim will complete a remote internship with the NaviLens team this summer, continuing to bridge student advocacy with practical accessibility solutions.

“I’m excited to learn about the team’s ongoing projects with blind and partially sighted students in America and to gain communication and project management skills,” she said. “Every moment at �鶹��Ƶ Korea has become one of my greatest strengths—helping me adapt to new environments and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.”

Take a look at what's happening at �鶹��Ƶ Korea

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