John Hollis

�鶹��Ƶ Nation stands behind Ilia Malinin after Olympic setback

Katarina Benson — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:27:41 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Nation stands behind Ilia Malinin after Olympic setback Katarina Benson Mon, 02/16/2026 - 13:27

�鶹��Ƶ’s Ilia Malinin’s Olympic journey hit an unexpected speed bump on Friday in the men’s individual figure skating final at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. But even as the result stunned fans worldwide, �鶹��Ƶ Nation gathered at the Johnson Center with unwavering support for one of its own.

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

A two-time reigning world champion and the overwhelming gold medal favorite, Malinin fell twice during his free skate and finished eighth overall, marking his first loss since November 2023, and his first time finishing outside the top three since March 2022. Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov claimed gold, with Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and Sato Shun earning silver and bronze.

“Honestly, I’m just speechless. So in shock, I really didn’t know what to expect,” Malinin told reporters afterward. “I’ve been training my whole season to get to this point and skate as best as I can, but it didn’t happen. I’m heartbroken.”

The 21-year-old Vienna native and exploratory studies major in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences had hoped to add an individual medal to the team gold he helped secure for Team USA win earlier in the games.

Like Malinin, the crowd of several hundred enthusiastic students, faculty, and staff at the Johnson Center’s Atrium were stunned, but their pride never wavered.

Kiersten Strassburg, a junior anthropology major from Chesapeake who has followed Malinin’s career for years, remained confident in his future.

“He’s only 21, and he’s still in college,” she said. “He still has his whole career ahead of him. It was disappointing, but I’m not disappointed in him.”

Malinin had entered the free skate with a five-point lead after the short program, poised to potentially become the second consecutive American Olympic champion in men’s figure skating, following Nathan Chen’s victory in Beijing in 2022. His high-risk, high-reward technical arsenal—including the quad axel, which he remains the only skater to have landed successfully in competition—seemed tailored for the Olympic stage.

But Olympic competition can be unforgiving.

“Our hearts hurt for him,” said Cassie Baker, a junior business major at the Costello College of Business.

Graduate student Kat Hines arrived early to secure a prime viewing spot in the atrium. Though the outcome wasn’t what she expected, the moment still mattered.

“It’s pretty amazing that we have an Olympian going here,” said Hines, a Fairfax native and public health major within the College of Public Health. “This gathering shows what kind of community �鶹��Ƶ has, and it’s nice to see.”

While the individual medal eluded him, Malinin will return home an Olympic champion through the team event, joining alumni David Verburg, who earned a gold medal as part of Team USA’s 4x400-meter relay squad at the 2016 Rio Summer Games, and Mike Kohn, who earned bronze as a part of USA-2 in the four-men bobsledding at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

But Malinin’s Olympic journey is not over, as he will perform in the popular exhibition gala—the final figure skating event of the games—on Saturday, February 21. He has also committed to defending his world title next month at the 2026 World Championships in Prague.

For �鶹��Ƶ Nation, Friday was about more than medals, it was about standing behind a student who has elevated the sport and the university on the world stage. And at just 21, Malinin’s story is far from finished.

George �鶹��Ƶ’s Ilia Malinin claims team figure skating gold

“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

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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

�鶹��Ƶ Nation will come together to cheer on Ilia Malinin as he competes on the Olympic stage. Watch party details and locations.

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Students

George �鶹��Ƶ researchers honored with SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards

Katarina Benson — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:46:48 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ researchers honored with SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards Katarina Benson Fri, 01/16/2026 - 13:46

�鶹��Ƶ’s Xuesu Xiao, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Computing, and Michael S. Bloom, a professor in the Department of Global and Community Health within the College of Public Health, were among the 12 recipients honored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) with 2026 Outstanding Faculty Awards.

Chosen from a pool of 81 nominees and 21 finalists representing the commonwealth’s public and private colleges and universities, the recipients are recognized for their superior accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service. Each will receive a $7,500 award at a March 3 ceremony in Richmond.

“I am thrilled that two George �鶹��Ƶ faculty members have been selected to receive the SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award this year,” said George �鶹��Ƶ Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Ajay Vinzé. “As the highest honor for faculty in the Commonwealth, this award recognizes the exceptional contributions that George �鶹��Ƶ faculty make through research that addresses society’s most pressing challenges, as well as through engaging students in impactful teaching and mentoring experiences that foster student success. In addition, these two award recipients are deeply committed to service, innovation, and leadership in their fields. This honor is richly deserved; together, they showcase the best of George �鶹��Ƶ.”

Xiao directs the RobotiXX Lab and is an assistant professor in the department of Computer Science. Photo by Office of University Branding

Xiao was recognized as a “Rising Star” for his early-career accomplishments. He directs the RobotiXX Lab and works at the intersection of motion planning and machine learning, with a focus on developing highly capable mobile robots that can operate in real-world environments with minimal human supervision. His work has supported search-and-rescue efforts following the Mexico City earthquake, the Greece refugee crisis, and decommissioning efforts at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. In 2025, Xiao received the George �鶹��Ƶ Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Research.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects Virginia’s commitment to scholarship that serves the public good,” Xiao said. “It strengthens the commonwealth’s research profile, prepares students to address complex, real-world challenges, and recognizes not only my research contributions, but also the broader vision behind them—advancing robotics research with real impact while educating and mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

Gurdip Singh, the divisional dean of the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing within the College of Engineering and Computing, said George �鶹��Ƶ was fortunate to have such a talented young researcher as Xiao.

“His breakthroughs in robotics are making an impact at conferences around the world and establishing our prominence in this rapidly growing field,” he said. “The test bed at the RobotiXX Lab is the only one of its kind in the region, if not the country.”

Bloom teaches graduate-level epidemiology and mentors graduate students, while conducting research on the health effects and sources of exposure to environmental pollutants, with a focus on human reproduction and fetal development. His work is driven by a commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting vulnerable populations.

Bloom, a professor in the Department of Global and Community Health. Photo by Office of University Branding

A reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist, Bloom was recently elected to a five-year leadership role within the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, where he will serve on the Leadership Committee of the Environment and Reproduction Special Interest Group in a series of roles culminating as chair.

Bloom has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, with research funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Fulbright Program.

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor,” Bloom said. “It reflects not only my efforts, but also the support and collaboration of colleagues, students, and mentors who have shaped my journey. This recognition reinforces our shared mission as George �鶹��Ƶ faculty—advancing education, research, and service that make a meaningful difference.”

Melissa J. Perry, dean of the College of Public Health, called Bloom’s recognition “a testament to his exceptional scholarship and unwavering commitment to public health.”

“His expertise in environmental health and his pioneering research on the impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals have advanced our understanding of critical health challenges,” she said. “We are proud to have Dr. Bloom as a leader in our college, shaping the future of public health through his research, mentorship, and dedication to improving health for all.”

Bloom said it was humbling to join a long line of accomplished faculty scholars at George �鶹��Ƶ and across Virginia, noting that the award reflects a broader tradition of excellence in teaching, mentoring, research, and public service that continues to shape the future of higher education.

Xiao and Bloom become the 30th and 31st George �鶹��Ƶ faculty to receive SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards since the program’s inception in 1987. Recipients of this award are selected by their institutions, reviewed by a panel of peers, and chosen by a committee of leaders from the public and private sectors.

In This Story

Xuesu Xiao

Michael S. Bloom, PhD, MS, FACE

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College of Engineering and Computing

College of Public Health

SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award

CPH awards

In the George

�鶹��Ƶ Autonomy and Robotics Center

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

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Patriot Profile: Jaylin Lott

ckearney — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:31:43 +0000

Patriot Profile: Jaylin Lott ckearney Mon, 12/01/2025 - 14:31

Jaylin Lott

Year: Sophomore

Major: Business with a minor in sport management

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

The athlete and competitor in her fuel George �鶹��Ƶ’s Jaylin Lott’s love for volleyball, but it’s the inner serenity that singing brings her that she treasures away from the court.

Photo by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

An Almost Idol: Lott experiences the best of both worlds as a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist for the Patriots women’s volleyball team who also moonlights as a singer—one talented enough to have performed the national anthem at numerous NBA games and in George �鶹��Ƶ’s EagleBank Arena. Her powerful voice even carried her to the third round of last year’s American Idol tryouts, where she was one of just 15 singers selected from a pool of roughly 300 during an in-person audition in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It’s a Family Affair: Strong vocals run in the family. Lott’s grandmother, Ava, who passed away in 2020, sang in the church choir and remains her inspiration. Lott began singing around age 13 while competing and lettering in both volleyball and track at Clark High School in Texas. Her father, Jason, a former Division I track and field athlete at Texas State University, noticed early on that his daughter was gifted in music as well. “[Sports and singing are] both ways to escape the stress that naturally comes with life,” Lott said. “They’ve each been therapeutic in different ways and at different times. I have a deep love for both.”

At the End of the Day: Lott says it's not uncommon to find her singing along to her karaoke machine to unwind after a long day of classes and practice. Her musical inspirations include Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and other old-school artists she credits for shaping her style and confidence. “As I’ve gotten older, I look forward to coming home and singing karaoke,” she said. “It’s kind of been my peace, especially after moving so far away from home.”

Taking the Stage: She was just a sophomore in high school when she first sang the national anthem before a San Antonio Spurs game, a moment that felt larger than life. “It was pretty big,” Lott recalled, “I was nervous at first, but it was pretty cool.” She returned to perform at Spurs games many times since, and has even sung for a larger crowd before a Dallas Mavericks game at the American Airlines Center.

Photo provided

Passion on the Court: Lott continues to make an impact on the Patriots team that enjoyed its most successful non-conference season since 2009, surpassing last year’s 11-win total and earning a spot in the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament that was held in Richmond, Virginia, in November.

“She has such a gift for passing and defense in middle-back,” said George �鶹��Ƶ women’s volleyball Head Coach Megan Shifflett Bachmann, “and she’s one of the most naturally talented individuals I’ve had the pleasure to coach in that position.”

Bachmann first learned of Lott’s musical talent during recruiting and was immediately impressed. “We’re always hoping to hear even more from her, without putting too much pressure around it,” Shifflett Bachmann said, “It’s a joy every time I overhear her singing to herself in the hallway or along with the music at practice.”

Singing Her Own Song: Singing is more than a hobby for Lott, it’s a passion she hopes to turn into a career. Lott continues to reach out to NBA teams in the region and in her hometown about national anthem gigs while also eyeing possible future auditions on The Voice. Lott also wrote songs for fun throughout middle and high school, and she has long imagined taking the next step—writing music professionally and eventually recording her own music in a studio. Finding time between school and volleyball has been tough, but she’s determined. “I want to put in the work it takes to have people one day hear my music,” she said. “It’s a peaceful thing for me to do, and it carries my grandmother’s legacy, too.”

Learn more about Costello College of Business

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Costello College of Business

Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design

ckearney — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:53:52 +0000

Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design ckearney Wed, 11/05/2025 - 14:53

�鶹��Ƶ’s Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square was among the projects cited when Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate received national recognition for industry leadership and sustainable development.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The 345,000-square-foot digital innovation hub, where a celebration was held in late September to introduce the community to the building, earned the Environmental Impact Award at the Annual P3 (Public Private Partnership) Awards in New York City.

“We are proud and deeply honored that Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square has been recognized with this award,” said Liza Wilson Durant, the associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement at George �鶹��Ƶ and director of the Northern Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI). “This prestigious recognition reaffirms our bold commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible stewardship in campus development. In partnership with Edgemoor and other collaborators, we have reinforced George �鶹��Ƶ’s vision of our campuses as living laboratories where infrastructure itself can teach, inspire, and scale sustainable practices.”

According to the competition judges, Fuse is “a highly commendable higher-education project that delivers exemplary environmental performance.” It was specifically praised for its cutting-edge approach to sustainability in design, construction, and operations. The building is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification and is net-zero ready, setting a new standard for environmentally conscious campus facilities.

“Receiving this high-level recognition is a tremendous source of pride and a clear testament to the groundbreaking work of the Fuse team and all of our partners,” said Edgemoor Managing Director Brian Naumick. “While the quality of the project is its own reward, formal acknowledgment from our industry peers and partners proves Fuse is truly leading the market for sustainability and resiliency.”

Adding to its sustainability achievements, Fuse earned a Fitwel 2 Star Rating, marking a first for George �鶹��Ƶ. Fitwel recognizes facilities that enhance quality of life through design and operational strategies that promote physical, mental, and social health.

Conveniently located at the center of the Rosslyn–Ballston corridor, Fuse serves as a state-of-the-art tech hub digital innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The building, which welcomed students this semester, features specialized labs for robotics and virtual reality and data visualization, as well as office spaces, retail, and co-working areas to foster collaboration and innovation across sectors.

The $254 million project was funded through a collaboration that included $90 million each from George �鶹��Ƶ and the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program, along with $78 million from Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate.

Fuse was among several Edgemoor projects and personnel recognized across multiple categories.

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�鶹��Ƶ Enterprise at �鶹��Ƶ propels entrepreneurship across the region

ckearney — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:18:05 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Enterprise at �鶹��Ƶ propels entrepreneurship across the region ckearney Tue, 09/23/2025 - 16:18

Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington Region is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s fastest-growing entrepreneurial destinations for investors and inventors, with �鶹��Ƶ’s investments and partnerships as a key driver.

From Accelerate investor Conference 2024. Photo provided

The state’s largest university-based business incubator, �鶹��Ƶ Enterprise partners with the university’s schools and institutes, big business, start-ups, and venture capital investors to advance a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurship and economic growth. This contributed to making Virginia a top state for business, according to CNBC.

“George �鶹��Ƶ is powering Virginia’s future,” said George �鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington. “The university is preparing students for high-demand careers, supporting entrepreneurs at every stage, and driving the growth of small businesses across the state. We’re not just in the degree business, we’re in the success business.”

�鶹��Ƶ Enterprise played a key role in Virginia’s new Lab-to-Launch initiative, the first of its kind in the nation. Developed through a statewide collaboration led by George �鶹��Ƶ and University of Virginia, with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) and the state’s four other R1 research universities—Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary—the initiative is designed to double the number of start-ups that originate from Virginia’s research universities and accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough technologies.

�鶹��Ƶ Enterprise leadership and impact highlights include:

$2.8 billion in bank loans, lines of credit, venture capital, angel investment, new revenues, and government contracts secured in 2024
65 invention disclosures by faculty last year—a 150% increase over five years
Growth from 300 to 2,000 supported tech start-ups in five years
One in six of the businesses served by �鶹��Ƶ Enterprise are veteran-owned
58,000 entrepreneurs, small business owners, students and faculty participated in 2,600 workshops in 2024 (up from 19,000 attendees in 2020)
Helped in the formation of 409 new companies in 2024
Helped in the creation and retention of 6,351 jobs in 2024

“We’re proud to be building a culture of innovation that is reaping benefits for the region and beyond,” said Paula Sorrell, George �鶹��Ƶ’s associate vice president of innovation and economic development. “The blend of education, research, and public–private partnerships has created a steady pipeline of new ideas and investments that ensure our regional and national competitiveness.”

The �鶹��Ƶ Enterprise team, led by Sorrell, was recently recognized by the Virginia Association of Counties for its Accelerate Breakfast Series, which connects entrepreneurs and investors through curated pitch opportunities that strengthen the local start-up ecosystem and attract regional investment. In addition, the International Economic Development Council recognized �鶹��Ƶ Enterprise for its multiyear efforts advancing the region’s tech innovation economy with its Innovation Ecosystem Building award, the result of creating several high-impact, tech start-up focused programs to help diversify the regional economy.

�鶹��Ƶ Enterprise provides small business and start-ups with affordable office space, legal and accounting assistance, free mentoring, access to investor networks, makers’ spaces, and tailored programs designed to help get ideas get off the ground or take the next step to get to market. Working closely with VIPC and nearby local officials in Prince William, Arlington, and Fairfax counties, the team also manages the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) network, called the Virginia Small Business Development Center and the Department of War’s (DOW) Virginia APEX Accelerator.

�鶹��Ƶ Enterprise will host its fifth annual Accelerate Investor Conference 2025 on November 5-6 at the new Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square in Arlington, Virginia. This year’s venture capital event will feature keynote speaker Sid Banerjee, chief strategy officer for Medallia, as well as a fireside chat co-hosted by Virginia BIO CEO John Newby and Jeff Conroy, managing director of Bayeux Ventures and former CEO of Embody, a successful Virginia start-up.

In This Story

Paula Sorrell

Learn more about �鶹��Ƶ Enterprise

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Small Business Development Center

Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert

Katarina Benson — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:17:12 +0000

Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert Katarina Benson Thu, 08/14/2025 - 10:17

Spending another summer in Southern California playing beach volleyball isn’t just fun in the sun for �鶹��Ƶ student athlete Jackson Herbert. The nuances and physical demands of the faster-paced beach game are considerably different from indoor volleyball, but he said playing has significantly elevated his indoor game. Now Herbert, a junior and men’s volleyball opposite from Ashburn, Virginia, feels he may be primed for a breakout season with the Patriots this year.

George �鶹��Ƶ men's volleyball player Jackson Herbert. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“When I’m playing indoors, I feel like I’m flying because there’s nothing holding me down,” he said.

Herbert playing beach volleyball in California. Photo provided

Training Is a Beach: This summer, Herbert trained in the Los Angeles area, where his daily regime involved two to three hours of practice in the sand, followed by a dip in the ocean before grabbing a bite to eat, weightlifting, and recuperative time in the hot tub. Before finishing the day, he might have another dip in the ocean. Rinse and repeat.

Doing It All: Opposites, also known as the right-side hitter, are versatile players who rotate through both the front and back row, with key responsibilities that include hitting, blocking, and occasionally setting. The two-person beach game requires all that, and then some. “You have to be able to pass, set, and serve well,” said Herbert. “You have to be able to do it all.”

All in the Family: As a kid, Herbert would tag along with his parents who played in a co-ed league for Dulles Beach Volleyball. His mother soon enrolled him in volleyball clinics, and by age 10, he was competing in indoor volleyball. “My love for the sport grew from there,” he said.

Home Away from Home: When it came time to choose a college, Herbert considered two things: location and brotherhood. As the oldest of three, he wanted to stay close to home so he could be involved in his siblings’ lives, supporting them at their tournaments and games whenever possible. He also values the tight-knit, open-door culture of George �鶹��Ƶ’s men’s volleyball team. “I knew some of the guys before committing, and every interaction pulled me closer to George �鶹��Ƶ,” he said. “It made the decision really easy.”

Balancing Passions: A member of the Honors College, Herbert’s interest in technology comes naturally—his dad is a software developer, which inspired him to take cybersecurity and software development classes in high school. Enjoying what he learned, he decided to pursue computer science as a major.

Jackson Herbert (right) with Team USA teammate Kai Rodriguez. Photo provided

All the Way with Team USA: In October, Herbert, who previously played for the U.S. Beach Volleyball U19 and U21 teams, will join the U21 squad to compete in the 2025 FIVB U21 Beach World Championships in Puebla, Mexico. “It was an amazing experience,” he said of his previous opportunity with the national teams. “I’m excited to do this again.”

Setting His Sights: Herbert hopes to earn spots with the U.S. Collegiate and U23 Beach Volleyball National teams next summer. Beyond college, he would like to play professionally on the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour—the premier professional beach volleyball league in the United States. “I’d like to continue doing this at the highest level.”

Volleyball at George �鶹��Ƶ

George �鶹��Ƶ grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders

Katarina Benson — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:02:44 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders Katarina Benson Wed, 08/06/2025 - 17:02

They’re proud �鶹��Ƶ graduates doing impactful work for the National Football League’s (NFL) Washington Commanders and helping to change the face of professional football.

The irony? Neither Gayatri Nambiar nor Bridget O’Donnell had ever watched a football game before stepping into their current respective roles with the team—Nambiar as football solutions developer and O’Donnell as senior manager for premium client services.

The journey has been both challenging and empowering.

Gayatri Nambiar: From Mumbai to the gridiron

Gayatri Nambiar. Photo provided

A native of Mumbai, India, Nambiar earned her MS in applied information technology from the College of Engineering and Computing in 2018. With no sports background, she was surprised when the Commanders reached out to her in 2021 about joining their football technology team, but she was immediately curious.

“The sport wasn’t part of the culture I grew up in,” she said. “Everything—from the rules to the strategy—was completely new. Once I started working in football, I immersed myself in learning the game. The strategic side has been fascinating, and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for how much data, planning, and detail go into every decision.”

Based at the team’s training facility in Ashburn, Virginia, Nambiar works at the intersection of technology and football operations. Her team partners with scouts, coaches, analysts, and front-office staff to build tools that support player evaluation, draft strategy, contract planning, and performance analysis.

“No two days are ever the same,” she said. “And that’s what makes it so engaging.”

Nambiar credits her time at George �鶹��Ƶ as foundational to her career. She worked as a research assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience, and learned from professors who were deeply supportive. Working at Ike’s dining hall was key to developing time management and interpersonal skills, and she landed her first U.S. job through a university career fair.

Bridget O’Donnell: From the court to the front office

Bridget O’Donnell. Photo provided

O’Donnell, who graduated in 2016 with a BA in communication with a concentration in journalism from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was a Patriots women’s basketball player before playing professionally in the Czech Republic with SBS Ostrava. She grew up in a basketball-focused family in New Jersey—her aunt was the late Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist women’s basketball legend Anne Donovan—so football wasn’t in the forefront.

“Luckily, I’m not out there coaching the team,” she joked. “But we’ve certainly learned a ton about the sport over the last three years.”

Now based at the Commanders’ corporate office, just 20 minutes away from Northwest Stadium in College Park, Maryland, O’Donnell oversees premium client services. She’s responsible for delivering top-tier service to annual suite clients, generating additional revenue with new business targets, renewing and negotiating multi-year suite lease agreements, and strategizing and executing year-round client engagements through partner events, away-game travel, and more.

“Being in sales is incredibly empowering,” she said. “Navigating tough conversations with influential business leaders, negotiating high-value deals, commanding rooms, and earning your own success. It’s not always easy, but I’m lucky to have many extraordinary, trailblazing women to look up to at the Commanders and across the industry.”

O’Donnell said her experience as a George �鶹��Ƶ—as a student-athlete and Athletics communications intern—deepened her connection her to the university and continues to shape her approach to leadership and teamwork.

Advice for the next generation

Both women take their roles as trailblazers in a traditionally male-dominated industry seriously. They hope to inspire others who may not see themselves represented in such fields.

“What’s encouraging is how things are starting to shift,” Nambiar said. “More women are moving into roles across coaching, analytics, operations, and tech. Being part of that change—helping to redefine what the industry looks like—is both humbling and motivating.”

“When you find ways to connect your skills and passions to the business side, you open the door to making a real impact,” O’Donnell said, “and becoming an invaluable part of any team or organization.”

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Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching

Katarina Benson — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:38:22 +0000

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching Katarina Benson Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:38

Tayler Cook knows a thing or two about winning, and the former �鶹��Ƶ women’s basketball standout hasn’t wasted any time imparting what she knows.

Coach Tayler Cook with her Heritage team. Photo by Maya Lopez/LoCoSports

In her first year as head coach at Heritage High School in Leesburg, Cook took over a girls’ basketball team that had finished 12-12 the year before, leading the Pride to a remarkable 25-3 record and the program’s first Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 4 state championship.

“It was definitely a good year and an exciting flip,” said Cook, who earned a BS in physical education from George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Education and Human Development in 2018 before returning for a master’s degree in special education. “I told them before the start of the season that they could win a state title, but they had to believe it.”

Cook’s impact was almost immediate. Heritage, a Loudoun County school that had never advanced that far since opening in 2002, also claimed Dulles District and Region 4C titles while holding opponents to fewer than 33 points per game, making them one of the toughest defensive teams in Northern Virginia.

Cook was named Class 4 State Coach of the Year for her efforts.

“We’re so excited to have her,” said Pride Athletics Director and fellow George �鶹��Ƶ alum J. J. Totaro, BS Public Administration ’03. “It takes a real special coach to get players to use their talents selflessly, use them with a team mentality, and rise to the moment when situations get tough. We look forward to seeing what they can do this coming season as well.”

Coach Cook on the sidelines. Photo provided

Cook, who is a special education teacher in addition to coaching basketball, is a former VHSL Player of the Year and daughter of longtime Spotswood High School Coach Chris Dodson, whose career ledger includes 12 district titles, 10 regional crowns, and six state championships. She played a key role in Spotswood’s back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014.

It seems that winning is in her DNA.

Cook was a four-year player at George �鶹��Ƶ, where she still ranks 14th all-time in assists with 251 and 25th in rebounds with 495. She helped lead the Patriots to a 24-win season and a berth in the 2018 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT) after three consecutive losing seasons.

Cook took over at Heritage following a successful run guiding Tuscarora High School to back-to-back state tournament appearances. She brought with her a dynamic five-out, spread offense, and a passion for player development.

“It feels different as a player than as a coach,” Cook said. “As a player, you’re definitely having fun and doing it with your best friends. I just wanted it so bad for them as a coach because I had done it.”

While Heritage graduated six seniors from this year’s title-winning team, including two starters, Cook likes her team’s chances for next year with the return of several top prospects.

“It’s a lot of fun, and I truly enjoy coaching them,” she said.

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