Schar School of Policy and Government

04/11/2025

Beginning Fall 2025, Professor Ketian Zhang will serve as the faculty director for the International Relations Policy Task Force Learning Community!

With extensive international relations knowledge of her own, Professor Zhang is excited to facilitate unique opportunities for the IRTF Learning Community students to fully immerse themselves in all things IR! Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with your peers.

Registration for Fall 2025 classes begins next week on patriotweb. Learn more at the link below!
schar.gmu.edu/IRPTF

04/10/2025

This year, the International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF) Learning Community visited the U.S. - Mexico border for hands on learning about international policy. Hear what students Georges Saade and Julia Conway had to say about their experience and read more about the trip at the link below!

https://schar.gmu.edu/news/2025-04/annual-spring-break-trip-us-mexico-border-changes-perspectives

04/09/2025

Attention current students: If you have a passion for international relations the International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF) Learning Community is for you!

Participating in IRTF will allow you to earn course credit and experience one-of-a-kind opportunities to engage with policy experts, expand your research skills, and join a community of students with similar interests. Class registration is right around the corner and now is the time to join this non-residential learning community by registering on patriotweb.

This learning community is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Learn more at the link below!
schar.gmu.edu/IRPTF

04/08/2025

The Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University continues to rise among the nation’s most respected public affairs institutions, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings released today.

Read more below!
https://schar.gmu.edu/news/2025-04/schar-school-climbs-national-rankings-expands-leadership-nonprofit-and-homeland

04/08/2025

We are ecited to announce that Schar School alumna and Fairfax City Mayor, Catherine S. Read, will be the keynote speaker at our 2025 Degree Celebration!

Since graduating from George Mason University with a degree in government and politics, Read has worked for nonprofit organizations at all levels of government. In 2022, Read became the first women and the first George Mason graduate elected to lead the university’s hometown.

Learn more about Mayor Read below!
https://schar.gmu.edu/news/2025-04/city-fairfax-mayor-83-alum-catherine-s-read-deliver-degree-celebration-keynote

04/07/2025

Announcing the NEW National Security and Public Policy Cohort at the Schar School of Policy and Government.

This accelerated program enables students to earn a Master of Public Policy degree in just one year. Students will attend full-time and in-person on Mason Square, located in the center of U.S. policy and national security

The program starts in fall 2025 — applications are open through May 1.

Program highlights include:
✔️ A select cohort of peers with a shared focus on national security
✔️ A career-oriented curriculum aligned with real-world demands
✔️ Direct access to policy and government networks
✔️ An international study trip offering a global perspective
✔️ An intensive, full-time format designed to fast-track professional advancement

This cohort-based experience is ideal for individuals committed to launching or accelerating careers in national security and public policy.

For more information, contact [email protected]
Visit:

Join an elite, one-year accelerated cohort program and graduate with a degree in MPP with a national security focus.

04/04/2025

Meet the Jurisprudence Learning Community Faculty Director, Professor Holman!

With a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching about the law, professor Holman is dedicated to helping you navigate the path towards your future career. The JPLC is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded peers. Registration for Fall 2025 classes begins next week on patriotweb!
Schar.gmu.edu/JPLC

04/03/2025

Today is Mason Vision Day! This year, we have opted to focus our efforts on the Schar School Student Emergency Assistance Fund.

This important fund was established in 2020 and designed to provide immediate financial support to students who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, allowing them to focus on attaining their degrees. Today, the Emergency Fund is once again needed to help our students who have been affected by the recent federal workforce restructuring.

Help us continue to support our students throughout their academic careers. Visit the link below to make a gift. We greatly appreciate your generosity!
https://securemason.gmu.edu/s/1564/GID2/16/19-giving.aspx?sid=1564&gid=2&pgid=8941&cid=22250&bledit=1&sort=1&dids=566&appealcode=25MVDSCH

04/03/2025

Thinking about joing the Jurisprudence Learning community? Hear what our students have to say about their experiences with the JPLC!

Visit the link below for more information.
schar.gmu.edu/JPLC

04/02/2025

Attention current students: If you're thinking about pursuing a career in law, the Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC) is for you!

The JPLC will allow you to earn course credit while getting support for your academic, professional, and personal goals. Class registration is right around the corner and now is the time to join this non-residential learning community by registering on patriotweb.

This learning community is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Learn more at the link below!
schar.gmu.edu/jplc

03/31/2025

The Schar School is wrapping up its presence at the 2025 ASPA Annual Conference with two impactful sessions this afternoon:

Nonprofits in the Information Age
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Mirae Kim, associate professor and director of the MPA Program, will discuss how digital technologies are reshaping nonprofit leadership, operations, and public engagement.

Climate and Environmental Adaptation, Management, and Policies
4:45 – 6:00 p.m.
Liuqing Ren, PhD candidate, will share policy strategies for effective environmental governance and climate resilience.

Join us for these final sessions and experience Schar School thought leadership in action.

03/31/2025

Anyone at should make sure to catch Alan Shark in today’s featured session:

Not Robots Yet: The Emerging Human-Machine Partnership
1:45–3 p.m.

A timely conversation on , ethics, and the evolving future of !

03/31/2025

We are proud to share that both Dean Mark J. Rozell and Associate Professor Alan R. Shark were awarded the Chester A. Newland Presidential Citation of Merit by the American Society for Public Administration this past weekend at . Both are pictured with ASPA President Patria de Lancer Julnes.

🏅 Rozell (first photo) was recognized for his leadership in enhancing the substance, content, and financial success of ASPA’s 2024 Annual Conference.

🏅 Shark (second photo) was honored for his longstanding efforts to strengthen ASPA’s visibility in promoting responsible and effective technology use in the public sector.

These honors reflect the Schar School’s continued commitment to leadership and innovation in public service and policy.

03/30/2025

A strong Sunday morning lineup from the Schar School at the 2025 ASPA Annual Conference!

Our faculty will be leading and contributing to critical conversations on resilience, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity in public administration.

🔹 Building Resilience: Concepts, Policies, and Governance
Qian Hu | 7:45 – 9 a.m.

🔹 A Century of Warnings about "Machine Intelligence" from the Arts and Humanities
Alan R. Shark | 9:15 – 10:30 a.m.

🔹 Cyberinfrastructure Methods and Security in Public Policy and Administration
Laurie Schintler | 8 – 11:30 a.m.

If you're at , these are sessions you won’t want to miss.

03/29/2025

If you're at , join Qian Hu, Professor at the Schar School, as she moderates an engaging session this afternoon:
Keeping the Researcher in Research: Frontiers in Complexity and Network Methods
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

This session explores emerging research methods in public administration, with a focus on complexity and networks.

03/29/2025

Future leaders in action! Today, students from the Master of International security graduate program are stepping into the role of policymakers and military strategists during a high-stakes crisis simulation centered on tensions in the East China Sea. The event is created and moderated by faculty and fellows from the Schar School's Center for Security Policy Studies.

03/29/2025

This afternoon at , don’t miss Mirae Kim, associate professor and director of the Schar School’s MPA program, serving as a discussant in a compelling session:
Embracing Paradox Perspectives
Noon – 4 p.m.

Explore how public and nonprofit organizations navigate competing values and complex environments.