The Archive of the Magazine for the George Mason University Community

Faculty Profiles

James Trefil Celebrates 50 Years of Service

By Colleen Kearney Rich on June 21, 2022

Jim Trefil

Robinson Professor James Trefil shares his memories as he becomes the third Mason faculty member to celebrate 50 years of service to the university.

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Q&A with Andre Marshall

By Colleen Kearney Rich on August 31, 2021

Andre Marshall joins Mason as its new vice president for research, innovation, and economic development and president of the George Mason University Research Foundation on July 1. He also joins the faculty of the Volgenau School of Engineering. Before coming to Mason, Marshall was program director for the National Science Foundation’s $38 million Innovation Corps…

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A Q&A with Alpaslan Özerdem

By Mariam Aburdeineh, BA ’13 on November 8, 2019

Meet Alpaslan Özerdem, the new dean of the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

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Meet the Mason Nation: Jeremy Freer, MM ’10

By Priyanka Champaneri, BA '05, MFA '10 on June 27, 2019

Jeremy Freer, MM ’10, is the assistant director of Mason’s famed Green Machine pep band, but if you ask him how he got here, he will say he was just helping out a friend.

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On the Top of the World

By Colleen Kearney Rich on March 21, 2019

Mason psychology professor Patrick McKnight loves a challenge. In May 2018 he successfully summited Mount Everest in his third visit to the mountain. We recently talked to McKnight about his summit and other adventures.

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Meet the Mason Nation: Amy Takayama-Perez

By Mason Spirit contributor on March 20, 2019

Amy Takayama-Perez, BA Sociology ’96, MEd Counseling and Development ’02, always knew that she would work with students—but she didn’t know she’d end up as dean of admissions at her alma mater.

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Meet the Mason Nation: Rodger Smith

By Lindsay Bernhards, BA '18 on October 18, 2018

Rodger Smith, faculty advisor for WGMU radio and an instructor in the Department of Communication, brings his years of passion for radio and communication to Mason students

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Meet the Mason Nation: Shira Kulok

By Lindsay Bernhards, BA '18 on August 1, 2018

In 2017, Mason’s Childhood Development Center earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and it continues to grow. Center director Shira Kulok uses her creativity and passion for early childhood education to develop programs that will benefit all children while enhancing the center.

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Meet the Mason Nation: Saskia Clay-Rooks

By Arthur Wesley, BA '17 on March 7, 2018

Saskia Clay-Rooks, executive director of Mason’s University Career Services, is constantly updating the programs and web resources offered to ensure they are timely and relevant to students in their career search. While plenty of resources are available online, she looks to provide students and recent graduates with other opportunities—the biggest of which are the connections her staff is able to facilitate between students and employers, alumni, or faculty.

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Meet the Mason Nation: Dan Walsch

By Colleen Kearney Rich on November 7, 2017

You might recognize Dan Walsch, PhD Communication ’11. For nearly 20 years, he served as Mason’s director of media relations and spokesperson and could be seen on the local news from time to time. He also taught public relations classes in the Communication Department for most of his 28-year career at Mason. In fact, teaching is what led him to his current position.

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