Katarina Benson

Brianna Alford is August Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:51:14 +0000

Brianna Alford is August Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Tue, 07/30/2024 - 15:51

As assistant director for student belonging in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at ��ӽ紫ý, Brianna Alford oversees scholarships and finances in the college’s Student and Academic Affairs (SAA) office. She is also a mentor to student employees. For her dedication and her mentorship, Alford is recognized as August Employee of the Month.

Brianna Alford. Photo by Office of University Branding

“Brianna has been an exceptional member of our team,” said Daniel Minot, CEHD assistant dean for student success. “She has proven herself to be a trusted, reliable, and invaluable resource for so many colleagues. Her dedication, commitment, and willingness to always go 'above and beyond' to support our students, staff, and faculty truly sets her apart from her peers.”

“Brianna is an exemplar of positivity. She is a kind, caring and compassionate colleague who is present for others—always,” Ellen Rodgers, CEHD associate professor, said. “She manifests the highest levels of integrity in all matters—personally and professionally, most especially in her fiduciary responsibilities and maintaining the confidences of Mason community members.”

Several of her colleagues emphasized Alford’s strength as a mentor.

“Brianna is the kind of colleague, mentor, and friend I wish everyone could have,” Caroline Masakayan, CEHD student enrichment coordinator, said. “If I am ever feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, Brianna is my go-to person. There is rarely a question Brianna cannot answer, and I am continuously impressed by her professionalism and expertise. She takes pride in being a mentor and fulfills the role with ease and grace.”

“In addition to being a strong, effective mentor and support for various members of our SAA team, Brianna has stepped into the role of a supervisor in providing direct support and management of CEHD student wage staff, as well as a graduate professional assistant,” said Minot. “She not only effectively manages, supports, and empowers students in this capacity, but led the search, selection, hiring, and onboarding processes for each. Brianna has truly excelled in this leadership role, showcasing strong skills in supervision and management.”

How did you come to Mason:

We relocated from Florida to Virginia when my husband got a job in Washington, D.C. I interviewed at a few universities but something about ��ӽ紫ý just felt right. When I arrived for my on-campus interview, I felt an instant connection with the campus and with the team and left crossing my fingers I got an offer. Thankfully, I did, and I was thrilled to accept it.

Best day on the job:

The 2019 CEHD Student Research Symposium. I watched our students develop their research over the spring semester, and it was such a rewarding experience to see them present at the symposium. They worked so hard and showed up as true professionals committed to contributing to their field. It was a very special evening.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

Being a part of the best team! I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of colleagues who make me laugh every day. They’re committed to our students, they work hard, and they never shy away from helping each other out. Work takes up a large portion of our time and lives—it’s important to me that I enjoy spending time with the people I work with.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I love any time spent with my husband and my daughter—especially by the water or downtown at a farmer’s market. When the weather cools down, I enjoy cooking, baking, watching football, and extra time with extended family around the holidays.

Topics

College of Education and Human Development

Christopher Wagaman is the June Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 12:28:01 +0000

Christopher Wagaman is the June Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Mon, 06/03/2024 - 08:28

Christopher (Chris) Wagaman has supported travel at ��ӽ紫ý for more than 10 years. Currently the travel manager in Fiscal Services, he is recognized as the June Employee of the Month for his dedication, commitment, and integrity.

President Washington with June Employee of the Month Chris Wagaman. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

His colleagues describe Wagaman as a professional and knowledgeable leader—”Chris always makes sure we exude confidentiality and professionalism,” one commented.

“‘He is the guru of the Mason Finance Gateway!’” said Heather Strange, former fiscal learning and engagement director. “Throughout my seven years of working with Chris, I have seen him grow into a great manager as his team expanded and adopted new technology.”

“Chris has assisted hundreds of students, faculty, and staff as they navigate through the complicated travel reimbursement process. He consistently uses out-of-the-box thinking and ingenuity and that guides him daily in all that he does,” said Becky Klein, Wagaman’s supervisor and associate director of purchasing operations in Fiscal Services.

Clifford Shore, chief procurement officer of Fiscal Services, shared, “A recent communication from another department stated the following, ‘I want to thank Chris's team in travel. They are so incredible, helpful, and professional. Led by his leadership, they are absolutely the best ��ӽ紫ý has to offer.’ I think this provides a great summary of the level of customer service, knowledge, and leadership that Chris brings to his job.”

How did you come to Mason:

I first started as a temporary employee for the Accounts Payable team. Then I applied for the travel technician position that opened.

Best day on the job:

My best day on the job was the day I knew I got the promotion to ��ӽ紫ý's Travel Office Manager position.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

I like the proximity to downtown Fairfax City, the numerous events held by ��ӽ紫ý, and the work/life flexibility provided here.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I like to travel, camp, and see live music in my off time.

Jobs at ��ӽ紫ý

Topics

Fiscal Services

Silke Vrouletis is May Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:43:05 +0000

Silke Vrouletis is May Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Tue, 04/30/2024 - 13:43

Silke Vrouletis, a senior consultant in University Business Consulting, has been an integral part of the business consulting team at ��ӽ紫ý since November 2021. She has been awarded May Employee of the Month for her unwavering work ethic, creative problem-solving skills, and commitment to high standards.

May Employee of the Month Silke Vrouletis with President Washington. Photo by Ayman Rashad/Office of University Branding

“Silke Vrouletis is an outstanding contributor to University Business Consulting, her Mason clients, and to Mason as a whole,” said Whitney Owen, executive director of University Business Consulting. “She has been an integral part of several high-impact and strategic initiatives for the university, including planning and celebrating Mason's 50th anniversary. Silke approaches all her work with a tremendous work ethic, pride in her work and the outcome, and holding herself to the utmost quality standards.”

Pamela Promisel, consultant manager in University Business Consulting, said that Vrouletis is able to make connections between disparate pieces of information to help her solve problems in new and innovative ways. “She is always thinking about how something can be done better, more efficiently, or in some cases whether it should be done at all.”

Vrouletis plays a key role with the university’s Mental Health and Well Being Task Force. “I am impressed with her can-do attitude combined with her ability to think outside the box in achieving our collective goals,” said Nance Lucas, executive director and chief well-being officer at the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being in University Life. “She gives unselfishly of herself on our team and has taken ownership of our group's fate and successes. It's unusual for one person to be fully adept at both managing relationships and complex tasks, which Silke does exceptionally well.”

Rachel Wernicke, associate dean and chief mental health officer of University Life, has also worked closely with Vrouletis on the Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force. “I have observed her to be a dedicated, talented, and thoughtful consultant. She has the ability to think strategically about the larger vision and goals for the task force and to track all of the details of this large project,” Wernicke said. “She also works to ensure that the task force members are engaged and understand their purpose and helps them to accomplish their tasks.”

How did you come to Mason:

I was in the midst of the online Master of Professional Studies Program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology here at Mason, when my husband and I discussed relocating from Southwest Virginia. At that point I was working for Virginia Tech in their advancement division. As I loved working in higher education and I had become familiar with Mason through my program, I looked for opportunities to work within Mason. As a result, I applied to various positions in Northern Virginia and received two job offers from Mason within a couple of days from each other. I was extremely excited for the opportunities and decided to join University Business Consulting and Capital Strategy and Planning as an administrative assistant/analyst. Since then, I have had the fortune to be promoted to consultant and senior consultant, working on various strategic initiatives, and providing strategy and project support.

Best day on the job:

The best day is when one of my clients/colleagues tells me that the work I had done or insights I have provided are useful and helped them or made their day just a tiny bit easier. Process efficiency while taking individuals and their work ability/skills/perspective into consideration is what I love to do. Being able to listen to them and transform a problem into a solution that is workable for them makes any workday less “work” but rather joyful.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

Mason is such an innovative and aspiring university. I enjoy immensely that no day is like the other. I might receive a new project or challenge any given day that allows me to utilize my creativity and problem-solving skills that ultimately will support a person, a unit, a department, or a whole division. I am extremely grateful for the autonomy and support I receive on a daily basis from my peers, my supervisor, my department head, and senior leadership.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

When I am not working, I love to spend my time in the kitchen developing new recipes, either sweet or savory, being inspired by cultures across the world and what we can find at any given moment at farmer’s markets. When not doing that, you will find me either hiking and spending time in nature, or with my nose buried in a book. And as my coworkers will point out, I might just be doing a big jigsaw puzzle with 2,000-3,000 pieces.

Topics

University Business Consulting

University Life

Regina Reynon is April Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 15:59:33 +0000

Regina Reynon is April Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Mon, 04/01/2024 - 11:59

Regina Reynon, a senior accounts payable fiscal technician, has been an integral part of ��ӽ紫ý’s Fiscal Services since November 2021. For her commitment, strong work ethic, and her desire to go above and beyond, Reynon has been recognized as the April Employee of the Month.

Mason President Gregory Washington with April Employee of the Month Regina Reynon. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

“Regina demonstrates an excellent work ethic and initiative. Her attitude and approach to performing her duties are incredibly refreshing,” said Tuyen Nguyen, assistant director of Accounts Payable. “Regina always goes the extra mile.”

“Regina has provided a fantastic level of support to the department and the university,” said Clifford Shore, chief procurement officer of Fiscal Services.

Catherine Staggs, assistant director of Accounts Payable, shared that Reynon has conducted multiple tests on the new AP Form Banner Workflow to make sure that the system is working as intended. “She actively works to develop positive relationships with her co-workers and other departmental staff to make sure that our student payments are processed on time,” said Staggs.

Jesse Guessford, director of curriculum and initiatives in undergraduate education in the Office of the Provost, lauds Reynon for her support of the Office for Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). “Regina went above and beyond to make sure our students were paid for their research experiences,” said Guessford. “Without her help, the OSCAR program would not have functioned, and students would not have been able to participate in a life-changing education experience.”

Quyen Le, director of Accounts Payable, said Reynon is a key contributor to the department's stability and productivity. “She is one of the main reasons the Accounts Payable team works well together and thrives,” said Le. “She is always professional in work habits and social interactions, specifically with students, faculty, and staff.”

How did you come to Mason:

My career had always been in the hospitality industry (hotel and airlines) so when COVID hit, the hospitality industry was badly affected. In view of this, I was looking for a more stable opportunity. I wanted to diversify my experience and knowledge, and ��ӽ紫ý was the right fit.

Best day on the job:

Is when I know that I served the Mason community, students, and vendors to the best of my ability, whether I am answering an inquiry by email or processing the request/invoice.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

The diverse culture that I work with and yet we embrace each other's differences, experiences, and knowledge. In addition, the support and guidance that I receive from my managers.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

Spending time with family and friends. Watch a good movie. I am fond of movies that are based on true stories. Do a brisk walk in our community and enjoy nature.

Topics

Judith Herbert is March Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:01:44 +0000

Judith Herbert is March Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Wed, 03/06/2024 - 17:01

Judith (Judy) Herbert, a senior administrative assistant in the Dean’s Office in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is described by her colleagues as a caring listener and a calming presence in the office.

President Washington with March Employee of the Month Judy Herbert. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Her nomination received 13 letters of support, including several from student workers expressing their appreciation. For her hard work and dedication, she is being recognized as ��ӽ紫ý’s March Employee of the Month.

“Judy is a professional and team-player,” said Kim Dight, CHSS’s chief business officer. “She has a way of making every person she comes into contact with feel valued and special.”

“Judy was happy to listen to my frustrations and provide advice,” said Sarah Holland, communications officer in the Office of University Branding. “She asked after my cats, my partner, my vacations—I felt that when I told her something about my personal life, she remembered it and wanted to follow up.”

“What sets Judy apart is her proactive attitude and willingness to step in whenever and wherever there is a need,” said Kristen Koehler, assistant dean of strategic communications and marketing in CHSS.

“Judy goes above and beyond what is expected in her role,” said Jeanette Bush, CHSS faculty affairs assistant. “She frequently is seen attending to the needs of Mason students who find their way to the Dean’s Office in search of answers to questions or help with a problem.”

Craig Zaccaro, a software developer in CHSS, said, “Judy can always be counted on to bring a calm, positive outlook to any project. She is a wonderful colleague whose hard work and dedication has positive impacts across the college.”

Her care for the office’s student workers was frequently noted.

“It’s obvious to anyone who works with Judy that her passion is working with students. She manages our [work study students] and serves as a mentor to them, listening to their challenges and offering advice and support,” said Jill Bowen, curriculum, space, and technology manager at CHSS.

“I can confidently say that she is by far the kindest, most accommodating person I have worked with,” said student worker Garrett Martin. “She is a joy to work with, and her presence in the office never fails to make everyone’s day better.”

“Judy is the perfect person to receive this award,” said student worker Afreen R. “Since day one, she has always been there to willingly help me with anything. She treats everyone with respect, kindness, and has a humorous personality that makes working with her fun.”

“Yesterday’s Dean’s Office celebration of one of our front desk student worker’s 21st birthday, which Judy masterminded, is simply the latest example of how she makes each of our work study students feel seen, valued, and appreciated for their contributions,” said CHSS Dean Ann Ardis.

How did you come to Mason:

I came to Mason 13 years ago as a part-time employee, working in the Office of Admissions. After several years in that role, I decided to move to a full-time position with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Office when my boys headed off to college.

Best day on the job:

My best day on the job would be working at our college’s degree celebrations. The excitement and energy that comes with being a part of the student’s graduation is so fulfilling. I get the pleasure of making sure each student feels special and looks perfect before they walk on stage to get recognized.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

The colleagues I get to work with every day, who make my job so rewarding and make me feel valued for my work contributions in the office.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I enjoy going to concerts, musicals, biking and cooking with my family and friends.

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Mason students connect with alumni, employers at Spring 2024 Career Fair

Colleen Rich — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:04:24 +0000

Mason students connect with alumni, employers at Spring 2024 Career Fair Colleen Rich Fri, 03/01/2024 - 13:04

On Feb. 21-22, more than 4,000 students made their way through the Johnson Center’s Dewberry Hall, speaking to 240 potential employers. Over the two days, ��ӽ紫ý’s Spring Career Fair 2024 gave students and alumni opportunities to further their career aspirations. The first day focused on science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields, and the second focused on business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

More than 4,000 students met with 240 potential employers at the Spring Career Fair. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

According to Bernadette Davey, career fairs manager in University Career Services since 2005, Mason is known for its strong brand and great career fairs. “We are known for the diversity and quality of our students,” Davey said.

Saskia Campbell, executive director of University Career Services, said a lot of colleges struggle to keep their career fairs going, but Mason career fairs consistently fill to capacity. “The comments that we get back [from employers] say they are very impressed by how much effort students put in and how serious they are,” she said.

More than 100 alumni employer representatives, identified with green “alumnus” ribbons, attended, eager to connect with Mason students.

“We have been able to see how [Mason alumni] are able to come in and do well,” said Kate Desai, MBA '12, representing career fair sponsor FORVIS. “Mason students are really amazing cultural fits for our teams, and we have yet to have a bad experience.”

Mark, Marketing '01, representing the Central Intelligence Agency, said he is “happy to be back [as an alumnus] and feel a connection.” The CIA has a strong relationship with Mason and often looks to recruit students from the career fairs.

Altaf Patel, a 2021 MBA graduate representing the U.S. Postal Service, said, “It’s great to come back and help other future alumni. I like to be a part of the alumni team that helps students further their career goals.”

Students and alumni alike credited the career fair for helping them find their current positions.

Art history major Emma Paskey said a career fair helped her get an internship as an explainer at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. She wants to continue working for Smithsonian after graduation and said her internship has set her up for success. “My main impression of the career fair is how helpful everyone was. Everyone I interacted with wanted to help me find what was best for me, and the employers I talked to were more than happy to answer any questions I had.”

“It’s nice to be back and help students enter the field,” said Vanessa Adu, BA Psychology ’20. She found her current position at Birch, Stewart, Kolasch, & Birch, an internationally recognized intellectual property law firm, from attending the career fair as a student.

Fairfax County Therapeutic Recreation Services representative Melanie Zissios, a 2004 Mason graduate, got her first job with school-age child care from the career fair. She wants to give Mason psychology students similar opportunities.

Many students attended the career fair to find full- or part-time positions, but many came just to learn more about the job market.

“I wanted to see what companies are hiring,” said senior Elizabeth Boakye, who is graduating in May with a degree in Business. She was also hoping to find a full-time position.

Honors College student Juliet Reyes, who is majoring in government and conflict resolution, plans to graduate in May and attend law school. She went to the career fair to look for internships with federal government or private security companies. She also wants to learn more about the types of backgrounds these companies are looking for in candidates.

Senior Ethan Thomas, a government and international politics major, attended the career fair to practice talking to employers and get “practical job search experience.”

Many students were taking notes for the future. Computer science major Madison Sellers is a sophomore and attended the career fair to get an idea of what the job market looks like. “I want to see what the career fair looks like for when I want to come back later,” she said.

Explore resources through Career Services

Topics

Students

Alumni

Career Services

Workforce Development

Richard Jackson is February Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 19:38:36 +0000

Richard Jackson is February Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Tue, 01/30/2024 - 14:38

Richard Jackson has been at ��ӽ紫ý since 1982, working first as a computer science student employee before moving to a full-time position in 1992. As a computer systems engineer in Mason’s Information Technology Services (ITS), he has most notably been managing the academic/research system, mason.gmu.edu, for 30 years.

February Employee of the Month Richard Jackson with Mason President Gregory Washington. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

A two-time Mason alum, Jackson has a BS with distinction in computer science and an MS in computer science. He is known by his colleagues as a dedicated, resourceful engineer who is always willing to help others. For his team mindset, innovation, and commitment, he is recognized as the February Employee of the Month.

“Richard consistently approaches his work and work relationships with a team mentality, leading with integrity and valuing all opinions,” said Whitney Sublett, strategic operations executive coordinator in ITS. “He is innovative when troubleshooting issues, as well as when working to implement system replacements.”

“Without his dedication to this service, we would have more performance issues to deal with,” said Yu Kuo, the ITS cloud, computer, and storage engineering manager. “Because of his efforts, there have been zero system crashes or unscheduled system reboots. There are numerous examples where Richard thinks outside the box and would go look in the places that most of us don’t to figure out a solution.”

Many colleagues noted his breadth of knowledge and his resourcefulness when approaching issues.

“I’m hard pressed to think of a time when he ‘didn’t know’ an answer,” wrote Kate Orf, web applications services team lead and wCMS analyst. “But he is always willing to go off and find solutions and information to support the work of ITS.”

Mason colleagues celebrate Richard Jackson, February Employee of the Month. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

Emilio Goncalves, senior computer systems engineer, compares Jackson to a “wizard” when facing challenges. “Richard is a master of resourcefulness. No matter the issue, Richard has a book on his shelf or can find a link to the information that he is looking for.”

Jackson’s positive and supportive attitude was also noted by his ITS colleagues.

“Richard maintains a positive and focused attitude that energizes others to overcome barriers to change,” said Karen Gardner, director of enterprise collaboration and computing services. “He does this by engaging others to collaborate and work together toward solutions.”

Lauren Hutt, IT project manager, agreed. “Richard shows up to meetings ready to engage, which encourages others to do the same. His approach always comes across as supportive.”

“Richard creates enthusiasm by always showing up in a positive mood during meetings,” said Ethan Ervin, senior network engineer. “Richard is always willing to help and gives insightful information. Every time I’m in a meeting with him, I learn something new.”

How did you come to Mason:

My journey at Mason began in fall semester 1982 as a computer science (then part of the Math Department) undergraduate—Mason processed our programs (punch cards) overnight at UVA and typewriters were still heavily used in the administrative offices. I worked as a student wage programming consultant from 1983 to 1987 in the Thompson Hall terminal room. In 1991, while working on a graduate degree my graduate coordinator asked me to integrate myself with Mason more. So, I left my TRW programmer contractor job to join Mason Central Computing as a classified computer systems engineer in March 1992.

Best day on the job:

When I successfully troubleshoot a difficult technical issue and complete a significant effort or project.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

My colleagues!

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I hike, I've been a [Boy Scouts of America] Scouter since 2000, and I race large canoes for the Washington, D.C., DCDBC Dragonboat team.

Start your career at Mason

Meet more Employees of the Month

Amir Hasan is September Employee of the Month
September 2, 2024
Brianna Alford is August Employee of the Month
August 1, 2024
Sophie Donora is July Employee of the Month
July 1, 2024
Christopher Wagaman is the June Employee of the Month
June 3, 2024
Silke Vrouletis is May Employee of the Month
May 1, 2024

Topics

Information Technology Services

Paul Nooney is recognized as December Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 13:47:19 +0000

Paul Nooney is recognized as December Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Mon, 12/04/2023 - 08:47

Paul Nooney has been a vital part of ��ӽ紫ý’s Schar School of Policy and Government since September 2018. As the director of student services at the school, he is being recognized as December Employee of the Month for his leadership, dedication, versatility, and being the “embodiment of the core values of Mason.” Fifteen letters of support for his nomination illustrated his impact on student success.

President Gregory Washington with December Employee of the Month Paul Nooney. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“Nooney's concern for the students for whom he is responsible is noteworthy,” wrote Distinguished Visiting Professor Richard Kauzlarich.

“Paul is central to the Schar School's signature advising and professional student services and has long served as a caring and creative administrator, attentive to students and relied upon by faculty, fellow staff, and students alike,” said Bonnie Stabile, Schar School’s associate dean for student and academic affairs.

“No matter how full his day is with other commitments, he drops what he is doing to help,” said Jill V. Deering, senior assistant dean of student and academic affairs.

Several of his colleagues also commended Nooney for efforts to promote community during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“From baking class to trivia night to piano concerts, Paul found a way for Schar School members to feel like a community, even when stuck in their homes,” said Beth Olchowski, senior assistant dean for strategy.

Justin Gest, professor and director of the Master of Public Policy Program, recalls Nooney produced a video series called “Power Lunch” to sustain togetherness and thriving.

Nooney also stepped up to fill a void. “When the Schar School lost their graduate admissions team for a period during the pandemic, Paul was asked to step in and manage the prospective student recruiting events during that period,” said Duane D. Bradshaw, director of career development.

Nooney also researched and learned all he could about online learning so he was able to provide support to Schar School faculty and staff members during the pandemic, said Silva Pecini Morris, assistant dean for graduate student services.

How did you come to Mason:

Prior to working in higher education, I worked as a high school science teacher in upstate New York. I decided to go back to school and get my master’s in higher education administration and spent five years working in the first-year experience office at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before making the move to the DC area and coming to work for Mason.

Best day on the job:

The first day back in the office after COVID. As an extrovert, I get my energy from other people and being back in person and interacting with co-workers face-to-face was the best feeling.

What do you like best about working at Mason:

The people. Especially out here on the Mason Square campus, everyone knows each other and helps each other out. Even though we’re a part of the largest university in Virginia, Mason Square has a small campus feel and it makes working here a lot of fun.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I’m a singer—a tenor with the Choral Arts Society of Washington at the Kennedy Center and in a smaller group here in Arlington. It’s the best hobby!

Topics