These Marines embrace their Mason mission

Colleen Rich — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 13:48:00 +0000

These Marines embrace their Mason mission Colleen Rich Thu, 11/10/2022 - 08:48

Neither Paul Deller nor Michael Harris knew anything about George Mason University before they enrolled in the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program in the Schar School of Policy and Government.

Now, both are Mason boosters.

Two Marine Corps officers from Mason's Congressional Fellowship Program. From left, Michael Harris, Anne Holton, Paul Deller. Photo provided

“Exceptional,” Deller said when asked about his experience at the university. “There are a number of people who teach at Mason who I have heard on some of my favorite podcasts and read about in the news for years. I’m still amazed that I get to learn at an institution where you regularly bump into these people in the hall.”

“Outstanding,” Harris said. “The faculty, staff, and students I’ve met so far have all been amazing.”

Deller and Harris are part of an interesting cohort of 11 Marine Corps officers attending Mason through the Congressional Fellowship Program, which gives Marines opportunities for professional development that include working on Capitol Hill in the office of a member of Congress for one year and enrollment in Mason’s graduate public policy program.

It is another example of Mason identifying educational pathways that meet students where they are, while the university engages them, in this case, on the Mason Square Campus in Arlington, Virginia, which is just six miles from downtown Washington, D.C.

It also is an example of Mason’s commitment to active-duty military, veterans, and their families. With 1,790 Mason students holding veteran certification, the university is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 military-friendly institution by College Factual.

“Mason is unique from other universities I’ve attended or graduated from,” said Maj. TJ Byers, who manages the Congressional Fellowship program and graduated from Mason with an MPP in May 2022. “The professors set us up for success. I even reached back out to them during my year on Capitol Hill to get some technical assistance for some policy stuff I was working on, or with just a generalized question in a field I needed to research.”

For Deller, 35, a major, and Harris, 33, a captain, in the Marines’ Office of Legislative Affairs at the Pentagon, the master’s degree they will receive at the end of the program will prepare them for their year on Capitol Hill and enhance their career prospects in the Marine Corps.

“I’ve always been interested in pursuing a master’s degree,” Harris said. “My undergraduate degree is in economics and the MPP program has an economic policy focus area, so it aligns with my interests. The program will assist in my ability to be an effective liaison between Congress and the Marine Corps. And learning to be a more effective team leader will pay dividends in the future.”

Anne Holton, professor of public policy and education at Mason, has both Marines in her Public Sector Leadership class.

She called Deller “outspoken and chatty” and Harris “quiet and thoughtful.” And though Harris doesn’t speak as often, “when he does, it’s powerful.”

Both of them, Holton added, are “great contributors to the class.”

“The military presence is our classes is significant,” Holton said. “It’s exciting that these folks are taking seriously what it means to be leaders and future leaders.”

And, really, that is what the Congressional Fellowship Program and the MPP program are all about.

“The ultimate purpose is to bring back this knowledge to the Marine Corps and share it with others,” Deller said. “The program isn’t about what I get to take away from it, it’s about how this experience will allow me to contribute to the development of the Marines throughout the remainder of my career.”

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Schar School News November 2022

First Marine Corps Congressional Fellows enrolled in Schar School's Master of Public Policy Program

Melanie Balog — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 10:00:32 +0000

First Marine Corps Congressional Fellows enrolled in Schar School's Master of Public Policy Program Melanie Balog Thu, 11/08/2018 - 05:00

From left, Marine Captains Jose 'Chris’ Romero, Benjamin Leape, Benjamin Broadmeadow, Matt Somers, Jorge "Jay" Hernandez, Josh Culver, Levi Hofts and Adam Link and Major Jason Bowers are the first group enrolled in the USMC Congressional Fellows program at Mason. Photo by Ron Aira

The first students in a new Headquarters Marine Corps program, which makes higher education opportunities available to Marine Corps Officers, began studies in July at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

Nine Marines are enrolled in the Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program, which provides graduates with the skills in policymaking and analysis necessary for understanding and solving critical problems. Once they have earned their degrees they will serve for a year as legislative assistants to members of Congress.

The Schar School’s proximity to the Pentagon, where the officers are stationed, and its favorable cost efficiencies were factors in the Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs choosing the Schar School, said Tres Smith, a recently retired Marine lieutenant colonel who chose the students and is teaching one of the courses.

“The adaptability and flexibility to meet our needs and work around the needs of the Marine Corps were important to make this happen," Smith said. "And the curriculum was tailored to what we needed; that’s what sealed the deal for us.”

“This is a great opportunity for Marines to gain higher education,” said Major Jason Bowers, one of the students. “Three of us already have master’s degrees, but this second one for myself allows me an opportunity to do something more focused on what I’ll be doing in the future.”

The advanced degrees are important to the officers if they wish to move up in rank, Bowers said. “As your rank increases, there are additional requirements, and if you want to be competitive, you really need to have a master’s degree,” he said.

They started their studies this summer with PUBP 503 Culture, Organization, and Technology, a 14-week course that was condensed into just six weeks of instruction.

“Because of their background and rigorous training that emphasizes attention to detail, I had no doubt the class would adapt and excel at this advanced pace,” said Rainier A. Sommer, a professor in public policy and enterprise engineering. “I am quite sure that this first cohort will do just as well in all their other program course requirements.”

The officers will also take courses that will prepare them for their work on the Hill by providing instruction and practice on government processes and policy writing, Bowers said. These include classes that emphasize policy analysis, program evaluation and ethical context, said Bonnie Stabile, the research assistant professor who is director of the MPP program.

“The policy analysis answers the question, ‘What should we do?’ The program evaluation answers, ‘How well did we do it?’ And the ethics asks the question, ‘Should we do it?’” she said.

As part of the fellowship, the officers will also attend congressional sessions and meetings on the Hill.