News

This summer, George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative, based at the Hylton Center, received two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

At the beginning of 2026, Mike Derrios, MBA ’06, returned home to the Costello College of Business at George Mason University as the executive director of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting.

“I think it's the real American dream to have something of your own, build something of your own,” says Bailey Mahoney, MBA ‘26. He grew up witnessing firsthand not only what could be built but also the freedom it created, as his father, who owned an electrical contracting business, always made time to be present for the important moments in his life. Without even realizing it, Mahoney found his first business mentor in his father.

George Mason University’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations recognized the contributions of its champions—George Mason’s faculty and staff donors—with an evening of thanks. The March 18 Celebrating Our Champions event focused on the generosity and support that faculty and staff offer the university while serving George Mason students.

George Mason University earned top Virginia placements across business, nursing, and education, and leads in the region as a college destination for veterans and working professionals in the 2026 Best Online Programs rankings by U.S. News & World Report, released today.

Collin Terling, United States Air Force veteran and health administration student, says George Mason’s forward momentum as an institution resonates with his goals for personal growth.

After participating in George Mason's Nano Boot Campus, George Mason alumnus and veteran Charles Stewart was hired by Micron Technology.

In George Mason University’s College of Science—where nearly 16% of students are connected to the military—Air Force veteran Rylee Ledoux is using her public health experience and passion for the environment to support fellow veterans and pursue a future in environmental science. A former Air Force public health technician, she now serves as the senior military transition coordinator in Mason’s Office of Military Services while completing her bachelor of science in environmental science and policy.

When Tiffany Taylor, BS Criminology, Law and Society ’20, enrolled at George Mason University, she expected her college experience to look different than most. An Army veteran and single parent with three school-aged children, Taylor was responsible for multiple schedules. But, over the next two years, she was still able to capitalize on the opportunities at George Mason—attending classes on campus, getting involved in her program and classmates’ projects, participating in internships, and embarking on two study-abroad trips. 

George Mason University alumnus and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Christopher Michael “Mike” Johnson, MAIS ’11, was recently appointed University of West Georgia’s ninth president. He stepped into his new role on August 1.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative—an important example of George Mason’s long-standing commitment to assisting military-connected learners as they embark on new paths following their service.

Navy veteran Becca Simon says coming to George Mason University and her experience as a student in the College of Public Health Department of Social Work has been life-changing.