George Mason, men's head soccer coach Rich Costanzo agree to contract extension
George Mason, men's head soccer coach Rich Costanzo agree to contract extension
Katarina Benson
Wed, 02/05/2025 - 15:11 Body George Mason University and men's soccer head coach Rich Costanzo have agreed on a contract extension through the 2029 season, announced Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis on Tuesday. Costanzo came to George Mason in 2022.
Men's soccer head coach Rich Constanzo. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics After leading the Patriots to one of the most successful regular seasons in program history, Costanzo is the first George Mason men’s soccer coach to earn the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honor. He is the fifth Patriots' coach across all sports to be named A-10 Coach of the Year since George Mason joined the conference in 2013. "In just three seasons, Rich has transformed the George Mason men's soccer culture, elevated our on-field performance, and brought a renewed energy to our university,” said Lewis. “His leadership has resonated deeply within our Northern Virginia community, inspiring youth leagues, Mason students, and our campus with an exciting, innovative brand of soccer. We are fully committed to supporting Rich's championship vision as he leads our program into an even brighter future." Costanzo, in his third year with George Mason, guided the club to the Atlantic 10 regular season title for the first time in program history. The Patriots finished the season 13-4-1 overall, won seven of eight matches at home in the regular season, and went 6-1-1 in conference play to post six wins in the A-10 regular season for the first time. After earning the top-seed in the A-10 Championship, they advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Costanzo was named the head coach in April 2022 and inherited a club that finished a combined 4-18-5 over the two previous seasons. Under his leadership, the Patriots climbed to 13th in the United Soccer Coaches Association poll this season, marking the first time in 10 years that George Mason has been in the national rankings. The team finished the A-10 regular season third in total goals (33) and goals per match (2.2) and tied for the third-fewest goals allowed (17). Six Patriots earned Atlantic 10 post-season honors, including freshman midfielder Martim Sereno, who was selected to the 12-member All-Rookie Team. He is the seventh Patriot to earn a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team. Graduate student Marek Gonda and sophomore Quentin Clain were named All-Conference Second Team forward, sophomore James Eliuda was tabbed All-Conference Second Team midfielder and graduate student Luis Maestre and senior Javi Sanchez earned All-Conference Second Team defender honors. Beyond their success on the field, the team also excelled in the classroom, earning an impressive 3.50 GPA during the fall semester. "I want to thank Marvin Lewis and Deputy AD of Intercollegiate Sports Todd Bramble for their support, belief, and confidence in our coaching staff and program," said Costanzo. "Our athletics department leaders share in our vision in competing for championships and developing George Mason soccer into a national brand.” Costanzo joined the Patriots after five seasons as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh men's soccer program, where he helped guide the Panthers to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2019 to 2021) and an appearance in the College Cup. Costanzo played at Penn State (2004-05), where he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2004 and was also selected Freshman All-America by Soccer America and TopDrawerSoccer. He transferred to the University of Maryland (2006-08), and as a senior captained the 2008 squad to the NCAA Division I National Championship and ACC Championship. He graduated from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business in December 2008 with a bachelor of science degree in general business. After his collegiate career, Costanzo played professionally in more than 100 games over five years with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (43 games), Rochester Rhinos (2010-11), and the Minnesota Thunder (20 games) of the U.S. Soccer League. "I am grateful for the opportunity to continue leading our program and working with this talented and committed group of student-athletes and coaches,” Costanzo said. “We have stayed focused on the process and have worked diligently to build a strong foundation and a culture focused on kaizen. We are excited for the future at George Mason." "We are thrilled to continue having Rich at the helm of our men's soccer program," Lewis said. "He is a proven winner, building a championship-caliber program from the ground up in Fairfax.”Learn more about George Mason's men's soccer team
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George Mason University and men's soccer head coach Rich Costanzo have agreed on a contract extension through the 2029 season, announced Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis on Tuesday. Costanzo came to George Mason in 2022.
After leading the Patriots to one of the most successful regular seasons in program history, Costanzo is the first George Mason men’s soccer coach to earn the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honor. He is the fifth Patriots' coach across all sports to be named A-10 Coach of the Year since George Mason joined the conference in 2013.
"In just three seasons, Rich has transformed the George Mason men's soccer culture, elevated our on-field performance, and brought a renewed energy to our university,” said Lewis. “His leadership has resonated deeply within our Northern Virginia community, inspiring youth leagues, Mason students, and our campus with an exciting, innovative brand of soccer. We are fully committed to supporting Rich's championship vision as he leads our program into an even brighter future."
Costanzo, in his third year with George Mason, guided the club to the Atlantic 10 regular season title for the first time in program history. The Patriots finished the season 13-4-1 overall, won seven of eight matches at home in the regular season, and went 6-1-1 in conference play to post six wins in the A-10 regular season for the first time. After earning the top-seed in the A-10 Championship, they advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
Costanzo was named the head coach in April 2022 and inherited a club that finished a combined 4-18-5 over the two previous seasons. Under his leadership, the Patriots climbed to 13th in the United Soccer Coaches Association poll this season, marking the first time in 10 years that George Mason has been in the national rankings. The team finished the A-10 regular season third in total goals (33) and goals per match (2.2) and tied for the third-fewest goals allowed (17).
Six Patriots earned Atlantic 10 post-season honors, including freshman midfielder Martim Sereno, who was selected to the 12-member All-Rookie Team. He is the seventh Patriot to earn a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team. Graduate student Marek Gonda and sophomore Quentin Clain were named All-Conference Second Team forward, sophomore James Eliuda was tabbed All-Conference Second Team midfielder and graduate student Luis Maestre and senior Javi Sanchez earned All-Conference Second Team defender honors. Beyond their success on the field, the team also excelled in the classroom, earning an impressive 3.50 GPA during the fall semester.
"I want to thank Marvin Lewis and Deputy AD of Intercollegiate Sports Todd Bramble for their support, belief, and confidence in our coaching staff and program," said Costanzo. "Our athletics department leaders share in our vision in competing for championships and developing George Mason soccer into a national brand.”
Costanzo joined the Patriots after five seasons as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh men's soccer program, where he helped guide the Panthers to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2019 to 2021) and an appearance in the College Cup.
Costanzo played at Penn State (2004-05), where he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2004 and was also selected Freshman All-America by Soccer America and TopDrawerSoccer. He transferred to the University of Maryland (2006-08), and as a senior captained the 2008 squad to the NCAA Division I National Championship and ACC Championship. He graduated from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business in December 2008 with a bachelor of science degree in general business.
After his collegiate career, Costanzo played professionally in more than 100 games over five years with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (43 games), Rochester Rhinos (2010-11), and the Minnesota Thunder (20 games) of the U.S. Soccer League.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue leading our program and working with this talented and committed group of student-athletes and coaches,” Costanzo said. “We have stayed focused on the process and have worked diligently to build a strong foundation and a culture focused on kaizen. We are excited for the future at George Mason."
"We are thrilled to continue having Rich at the helm of our men's soccer program," Lewis said. "He is a proven winner, building a championship-caliber program from the ground up in Fairfax.”
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- College of Public Health awarded prestigious Society for Simulation in Healthcare accreditationCollege of Public Health awarded prestigious Society for Simulation in Healthcare accreditation mthomp7 Tue, 02/11/2025 - 09:32 Body The Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation achieves ground-breaking accreditation. The College of Public Health is proud to be the nation's first Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH)-accredited Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation at a public health college. This pioneering facility redefines how health professionals practice and reinforces George Mason University's leadership in cutting-edge technology that revolutionizes public health education and workforce development. The College of Public Health joins an elite group of only 250 organizations in the world to be accredited by SSH - and is the only public health college to be SSH-accredited. “This prestigious recognition highlights the dedication and excellence of simulation programs that meet rigorous standards and contribute to advancing the field of health care simulation,” said Kristyn Gadlage, the director of accreditation for SSH. SSH-accreditation is an elite achievement, with only 250 institutions worldwide recognized for advancing simulation excellence. Accredited programs set a gold standard for health care education and are more likely to drive improved patient outcomes. The college’s Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation is an interprofessional and transdisciplinary research and instructional center. At 8,000 square feet, the lab encompasses modular spaces replicating practice settings or converts multiple spaces for extended reality (XR). The lab is strategically positioned in Peterson Health Sciences Hall on George Mason's Fairfax Campus. This central location allows students across all College of Public Health departments and schools access to this state-of-the-art space for innovation. The lab is designed for transdisciplinary immersive learning with human patient simulators and XR—spanning virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). The Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation achieves ground-breaking accreditation. Photo illustration by Emma Anderson and Karen Smith/CPH In 2022, Dean Melissa Perry announced a bold vision to expand the lab and make XR and simulation technology available to every student in the college. The lab is led by Chief Innovation Officer Bethany Cieslowski and a dedicated team of Certified Healthcare Simulation Educators who are working to double the lab’s capacity within the next few years, ensuring that every student experiences this transformative learning. "With this strategic accreditation, we are poised to provide every student in the college the opportunity to extend their learning through immersive technologies and simulation. This interprofessional learning environment offers high-impact skills and critical thinking in a low-risk, safe setting. This level and intensity of training could not be delivered through classroom learning alone," Perry said. "Our approach empowers and prepares graduates for clinical practice by developing skills and confidence that traditional methods simply cannot replicate." James Casey, director of Virginia Serious Game Institute at George Mason and a leader in immersive technologies, said, "It has been truly inspiring to witness and support the college’s cutting-edge advancements in a transdisciplinary teaching environment. The SSH accreditation is an achievement that solidifies the lab as a true center of extended reality excellence. The potential for revolutionizing public health education is unlimited.” The integration of immersive technologies in 2020 enabled the college to address workforce needs and expand its reach into social work, nutrition, health administration and policy, and beyond. The lab's mission is clear: harness the power of technology to advance interprofessional education, research, and patient safety through digital innovation. By leveraging ground-breaking technology, the lab advances the college's mission through collaboration, research, and innovation. The college is dedicated to revolutionizing interprofessional education and practice, to ultimately advance public health on a global scale. Students who step into this innovative space don't just learn—they experience. From mastering complex skills and critical thinking to practicing effective opioid crisis interventions, immersive technologies prepare learners for the challenges of tomorrow. "Extended reality transforms the way we learn," said Cieslowski. "It's not just about creating a virtual environment—it's about creating opportunities for real-world impact, ensuring our students leave George Mason prepared to lead." Looking ahead, the college plans to extend its reach, aiming to incorporate immersive technologies into all disciplines in the college. With a vision to forge strategic partnerships with corporate leaders and academic organizations, George Mason is driving the future of healthcare simulation. Visit the Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation web page for academic publications and prior coverage about the college's Immersive technologies and simulation capabilities. For media inquiries, contact Michelle Thompson at mthomp7@gmu.edu.In This Story People Mentioned in This Story Bethany Cieslowski, DNP Melissa J. 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- The College of Visual and Performing Arts Launches Initiative to Renovate Center for the ArtsThe College of Visual and Performing Arts Launches Initiative to Renovate Center for the Arts Kirstin Franko Mon, 02/03/2025 - 16:53 Body George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) announces the public launch of the Give Voice initiative, a $35 million fundraising effort to renovate and modernize the Center for the Arts into a state-of-the-art venue. The Give Voice initiative is part of Mason Now: Power the Possible—the university’s first one-billion-dollar comprehensive fundraising campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. “For decades, our Center for the Arts has been a beacon for talent and innovation, a proving ground for students learning their craft and pursuing their passions, and home to world-class performances as the cultural hub of our region," George Mason University President Gregory Washington said. “The Give Voice initiative will ensure that the arts remain a front door to the university, as they have been for 6.5 million patrons who have been enriched and inspired by their shared experiences in this storied building.” Built in 1990, the Center for the Arts has supported the early work of George Mason University students whose careers led them to Broadway, and has hosted Grammy, Tony, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning artists—and U.S. presidents. The modernization aims to improve and enhance the venue’s ability to support the needs of artists, audiences, and the students and faculty of CVPA. It will include major technological and acoustical upgrades; improved accessibility, sightlines, and aesthetics; additional aisles on Orchestra and Balcony levels; a remodeled lobby; expanded teaching and rehearsal spaces; a new donor lounge; expanded restrooms; and more. Architectural concept rendering of the Center for the Arts Concert Hall by Quinn Evans. “So many people have told us that there are really two eras in George Mason history—before and after the Center for the Arts opened its doors,” CVPA dean Rick Davis said. “I think this transformation will be thought of in the same way in years to come, as we create a modern, technology-rich, visually stunning, and artist-and-audience friendly home for all who enjoy the arts, whether as a creator or an audience member.” The Give Voice initiative quietly began with a $10 million gift from Barry Dewberry and Arlene Evans, which was announced in April 2022 as part of George Mason’s 50th anniversary celebration. Their transformative gift set the stage for this capital initiative towards the reimagining of the Center for the Arts for future generations. Upon the conclusion of its renovation, the Center for the Arts will be renamed the Barry Dewberry and Arlene Evans Center for the Arts in recognition of their visionary support. “My father, Sid Dewberry, was one of the founding fathers of George Mason and he had a special fondness for music,” said Barry Dewberry. “Towards the end of his life, Arlene and I saw the need to pick up the baton and continue supporting George Mason and Mason Arts. We recognize the important role the Center for the Arts plays and what this renovation will do to heighten the experience for students, visiting artists, and the public. Arlene and I are honored to make the lead gift for the Give Voice Initiative, and we look forward to seeing the exciting results.” Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry. Photo by Chia-Chi Charlie Chang. In addition to the Dewberry/Evans gift, the Center for the Arts has also secured a $6 million gift from the Peterson Family Foundation. The Peterson Family gift—announced in May 2024—specifically supports enhancements to the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall and lobby. These spaces will be renamed the Peterson Auditorium and the Peterson Family Lobby, respectively. With the Dewberry/Evans and Peterson gifts, along with many other instrumental philanthropists pledging support, Give Voice has raised nearly $18 million of its $35 million goal. An additional $35 million toward the reimagination of the Center for the Arts is anticipated to come from George Mason University. The Give Voice initiative was officially announced at the Mason Arts Elevated event held on February 5 at the Center for the Arts. The event brought together distinguished donors, university and local leaders, and VIP guests. At the event, President Washington spoke about the importance of this renovation initiative for Mason Arts and was joined by Dean Davis, who highlighted the new plans for modernizing the Center for the Arts. Also in attendance during the event were Provost James Antony and President of the George Mason University Foundation and VP for Advancement and Alumni Relations Trishana E. Bowden. Mason Arts is the collective presence of the arts embedded throughout George Mason. In addition to CVPA, Mason Arts includes seven community arts programs, galleries across three campuses, and multiple performance venues—both physical and digital. 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Project specifics including the renovation timeline will be announced at a later date and updated on the website.Power the Possible In This Story People Mentioned in This Story Rick Davis Gregory WashingtonMore on the Give Voice Initiative Related News CVPA Announces Recipients of the 2025 Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards February 19, 2025 The College of Visual and Performing Arts Launches Initiative to Renovate Center for the Arts February 6, 2025 Mason Arts Amplified Releases New Content, including performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cirque Kalabanté, and more! January 16, 2025 Victor and Diane Hoskins make a gift to fuel the future of George Mason students—and Northern Virginia December 18, 2024 Metro’s Art in Transit Program showcases George Mason students' work December 4, 2024Topics Topics Mason Now: Power the Possible Mason Now campaign College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Center for the Arts Mason Arts Campus News
- Christopher M. Ackerman Sr. named George Mason’s Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources OfficerChristopher M. Ackerman Sr. named George Mason’s Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer Colleen Rich Mon, 02/03/2025 - 10:01 Body George Mason University has selected Christopher M. Ackerman Sr. as its new vice president of human resources and chief human resource officer. He begins his new role Feb. 24. Christopher M. Ackerman Sr. Photo provided Ackerman joins George Mason, the largest public research university in Virginia, from Stanford University, where for the past three-and-a-half years he was the head of HR Client Services at SLAC National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy facility formerly known as the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and operated by Stanford. At SLAC, Ackerman led an HR team that serves a workforce of about 2,000 across 22 business units, overseeing HR client services, compensation, and HR business partners. He played a key role in shaping enterprise-level HR strategy, collaborating closely with the SLAC Board of Oversight, executive leadership, and university administrators. Among his notable achievements at SLAC were aligning compensation frameworks, enhancing performance management systems, and integrating strategic workforce planning to meet organizational objectives. Stanford is one of four universities at which Ackerman has served in HR roles, along with positions at the University of California, Berkeley; the University of California, San Francisco; and Howard University. Before joining SLAC, he served as the managing director of people operations at the Stanford Cancer Institute within the School of Medicine. From 2015 to 2020, Ackerman was vice president of human resources at HCA Healthcare, a multicampus hospital and health care system in Northern Virginia. In this role, he served as the chief HR officer, significantly enhancing the attraction and retention of employees, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing initiatives that improved organizational efficiency. “Chris brings to George Mason extensive executive leadership in all aspects of human resources management and a proven track record of collaboration and achieving excellence in HR practices in environments that demand precision and innovation,” said Ken Walsh, George Mason’s executive vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff. “He specializes in envisioning, designing, and implementing modernized people programs and strategic HR frameworks to meet the evolving needs of the workforce of high-growth organizations like George Mason.” According to the Washington Business Journal, George Mason is the 24th-largest employer in greater Washington, D.C., area, and the 13th-largest in Northern Virginia. Ackerman earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Maryland and is pursuing a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University. “Joining George Mason University as the vice president of human resources and chief human resource officer is both a professional honor and a deeply personal milestone,” Ackerman said. “As a Washington, D.C., native, leading HR at Virginia's largest public research university feels like coming home. I am proud to be part of Mason Nation and excited to collaborate with the George Mason community to create a people-first culture that empowers our diverse workforce and fosters an environment where talent thrives and innovation flourishes.”Start your own career at George Mason Related News Turning “trash” into treasure: diverting surplus property from the waste stream February 21, 2025 Around Mason: Week of Feb. 18, 2025 February 18, 2025 President's Town Hall Sessions with Faculty/Staff February 14, 2025 Off the Clock: For Buz Grover, the call to explore echoes—right into the world’s longest known cave February 14, 2025 Around Mason: Week of Feb. 11, 2025 February 11, 2025Topics Topics Campus News Faculty and Staff News Human Resources
- College of Public Health announces Terri Rebmann as inaugural Divisional Dean of the School of NursingCollege of Public Health announces Terri Rebmann as inaugural Divisional Dean of the School of Nursing Taylor Thomas Wed, 01/29/2025 - 12:12 Body The George Mason University College of Public Health is pleased to announce that Terri Rebmann PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC, has been selected as the inaugural Divisional Dean of the School of Nursing after a national search. The appointment of the first Divisional Dean reflects the critical role of the School of Nursing in achieving the mission of the college and delivering health and well-being for all. Terri Rebmann PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC Rebmann is a nationally respected leader and scholar in nursing, infection prevention, and global health security and brings more than 25 years of higher education experience to George Mason. Her research interests include health care and public health professional disaster preparedness, medical countermeasures during infectious disease disasters, and reunifying children and families during disasters. “Dr. Rebmann is a widely respected trailblazer in the nursing community and will bring energy, compassion, and strategic leadership as the inaugural Divisional Dean. Dr. Rebmann embraces the vital role of nursing in public health, and she is the ideal leader to guide the school in its mission for excellence in practice and nursing education,” said College of Public Health dean Melissa Perry. Rebmann departs Saint Louis University (SLU) after a 25-year career. While at SLU, she served as the director of the Institute for Biosecurity and Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Saint Louis University (SLU). Prior roles at SLU include associate dean for academic and faculty affairs in the College for Public Health and Social Justice (CPHSJ), special assistant to the president for COVID-19, and program director of the biosecurity and disaster preparedness academic programs within CPHSJ. At SLU, Rebmann helped start and manage the biosecurity and disaster preparedness academic (BSDP) programs, a critical field for preparing for and responding to bioterrorism, outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, and pandemics. The BSDP program quickly became the largest concentration within the MPH program at SLU and developed professionals who went on to lead the response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, emergence of MERS CoV, the Ebola Crisis of 2014-2016, and the COVID-19 pandemic. While serving as special assistant to the president at SLU, Rebmann helped lead SLU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including leading multidisciplinary teams to discuss and develop evidence-based COVID-19 safeguards and policies that were in line with university mission and values, developed and managed the SLU contact tracing team, testing clinics, and vaccination clinics. Rebmann earned her PhD in Nursing from SLU; her Master of Nursing in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Tract from the University of Missouri, Columbia; and a Bachelor of Nursing from Truman State University. She has authored and co-authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications. Rebmann is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP). She currently serves as a member of the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force and on the Test Writing Committee for the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC). Active in the St. Louis community, Rebmann has collaborated with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health to improve biological disaster preparedness and response and with several childcare agencies to improve vaccine uptake. Rebmann will assume her role as Divisional Dean on March 3, 2025.#1 Nursing School in Virginia for veterans Connect with the School of Nursing Related News First-of-its-kind research identifies beneficial prenatal vitamins to reduce risk of infant death January 30, 2025 College of Public Health announces Terri Rebmann as inaugural Divisional Dean of the School of Nursing January 29, 2025 George Mason University leads Virginia with strong U.S. News online program rankings January 21, 2025 James Metcalf marks 50+ years of teaching November 19, 2024 Bringing a Veteran’s Global Perspective to Nursing November 8, 2024Topics Topics School of Nursing College of Public Health Nursing Faculty Campus News Faculty and Staff News
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- George Mason University leads Virginia with strong U.S. News online program rankingsGeorge Mason University leads Virginia with strong U.S. News online program rankings Colleen Rich Fri, 01/17/2025 - 13:53 Body George Mason University continues to distinguish itself as a top academic institution and a top 50 public university. Today, U.S. News & World Report released their 2025 Best Online Programs rankings, highlighting the university’s exceptional offerings across several disciplines, especially for veterans. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding George Mason advanced its rankings in nearly every online master’s degree program where it was included. The university is one of just five institutions in Virginia ranked in at least nine of the 13 categories where it is included, earning No. 1 rankings in four of those categories, more than any other university in the state for these categories. “These rankings affirm that George Mason is a leader in Virginia in producing graduates for high-demand industries critical to the growth and prosperity of the commonwealth,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “We achieve these outcomes by partnering with industry leaders to develop academic programs that prepare graduates for a rapidly evolving workforce.” A Leader for Military-Affiliated Students With more than 4,700 students identifying as active-duty service members, veterans, or dependents, George Mason remains a vital resource for Virginia’s largest military-connected community. This year, approximately 20% of the university’s incoming freshman, transfer, and graduate cohorts have military connections, reinforcing the university’s reputation as a top destination for military-affiliated students. George Mason earned the top spot in Virginia and nationally among public universities for its MBA program for veterans, and was first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region for its master’s in nursing for veterans. In September 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked George Mason as one of the state’s best colleges for veterans. The university was also recognized with “Gold” status as a top Military Friendly University, underscoring its commitment to supporting those who have served. “We are proud to serve a region that is home to a significant number of military members, veterans, and their families,” said Jennifer Connors, George Mason’s director of Office of Military Services. “At George Mason, we are committed to providing resources to support their unique needs. It is our duty to honor their service to our nation by empowering them to excel academically and professionally.” Strong Performances Across Disciplines In addition to its programs for veterans, George Mason’s online master’s programs excelled in several other areas: education, nursing, business, and engineering. Northern Virginia boasts some of the nation’s top public school systems, and George Mason playing a significant role in that success. Approximately half of the region’s K-12 school administrators and an estimated one third of its teachers hold degrees or certificates from George Mason. In the face of a national shortage of special education teachers, the university’s master’s in special education program stands out, ranking No. 1 in both Virginia and in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and 5th nationally. “We are thrilled to see our special education program recognized among the top five in the country,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “This achievement is a reflection of our faculty’s remarkable expertise, dedication, and innovative approaches to preparing graduates to make a lasting impact in classrooms and communities.” The School of Nursing within George Mason’s College of Public Health saw significant advancements in its rankings. The master’s in nursing program ranked No. 1 in Virginia, climbing up eight spots to 41st nationally (34th among public universities). Additionally, the Master’s in Nursing for Veterans program rose to 14th nationally (up from 18th), and 9th among public universities (up from 11th). “Through hands-on clinical training and cutting-edge simulation technologies, our students are equipped with unmatched knowledge and cultural competencies,” said College of Public Health dean Melissa J. Perry. “Our graduates are among the most well-prepared nurses in the country.” The Costello College of Business earned significant accolades, with its MBA for veterans program climbing to 30th (up from 41st) among public universities and 34th nationally (up from 50th). The MBA program also rose to 41st among public universities (up from 54th), 55th nationally (up from 74th), while its non-MBA program ranked 39th among public universities (up from 44th) and 56th nationally (up from 62nd). George Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing saw two of its newest programs make strong debuts. The master’s in industrial engineering is best in Virginia and 10th nationally. The master’s in engineering for veterans’ program ranked 29th nationally. The master’s in engineering program climbed 22 spots to 45th nationally, and 38th among public universities (up from 51st). The new master’s in IT for veterans program also made a strong first impression, ranking 21st nationally and 13th among public universities. A Commitment to Excellence in Online Education The strong performance of George Mason’s online programs aligns with the university’s mission to support students where they are. The flexible class offerings are a welcome boon to the university’s large number of post-traditional students, many of whom are professionals who continue to work full-time jobs and family responsibilities while pursuing academic goals to enhance their careers. Check out the full list of George Mason rankings at gmu.edu/rankings.See more of George Mason's rankings Related News George Mason University leads Virginia with strong U.S. News online program rankings January 21, 2025 George Mason in the Rankings January 21, 2025 George Mason University ranks #1 in Virginia for best value, internships, and upward mobility September 24, 2024 George Mason’s vital role in advancing Virginia as America’s top state in business July 15, 2024 Student Health Services’ designation for LGBTQ+ health care practices is the latest recognition of George Mason’s inclusive campus environment May 31, 2024Topics Topics Campus News Rankings College of Public Health College of Engineering and Computing Costello College of Business Veterans Office of Military Services Strategic Direction