George Mason University - Costello College of Business

06/24/2026

How one educator – and a double Costello alumna – is shaping the next generation of accounting leaders and helping them to develop the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce.

Ann Butler, BS Accounting ’94, MS Accounting ’23, is giving back to George Mason University by sharing her industry knowledge with undergraduate and graduate accounting students – as an experienced business executive and accounting adjunct faculty member in the George Mason University - Costello College of Business.

She was driven to teach by a growing concern, observed while hiring employees, that students were entering the workforce less prepared than in the past. “I’ve always loved hiring new grads with little to no experience, and one of the things that I’ve noticed is that, over the years, it seems like students are less and less workforce-ready,” she says. “I felt like maybe I could make a difference.”

A recent graduate of Costello’s MS in Accounting degree program, Ann’s “exceptional enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, and willingness to help her classmates” stood out to her Advanced Issues in Managerial Accounting professor Long Chen, who happens to be the Area Chair of Accounting at Costello. “Those qualities are all strong indicators of an excellent instructor,” says Chen. “I am delighted that Ann has now joined our accounting adjunct faculty and been teaching multiple courses across the undergraduate and graduate programs.”

Butler’s focus on workforce readiness is one example of how our faculty are focused on enhancing the student experience and preparing our students for career success.

Get the full story on our website: https://ow.ly/fXnE50Zglq5

06/23/2026

Are you visiting the George Mason University campus for the first time this summer and planning to study business with us in the fall?

Discover the many ways the George Mason University - Costello College of Business can help you reach your goals by visiting our website at https://business.gmu.edu or following us on our social channels.

06/23/2026

George Mason University's Board of Visitors has extended the contract of President Gregory Washington through June 30, 2031. Washington, who became George Mason's eighth president on July 1, 2020, was previously set to serve through June 30, 2027.

06/19/2026

All business thrives on collaboration and understanding.

Our global residency programs for the Costello MBA and select specialized master’s programs (e.g., MS in Accounting, MS in Management, and MS in Real Estate Development) equip students, many of whom are working professionals, with the cross-cultural communication and market insights needed to succeed in an interconnected world.

Immersive experiences like these help build cultural fluency and prepare students to navigate global markets, regulatory environments, and evolving business practices with confidence.

As an example, Master's in Real Estate Development - Costello College of Business students toured and met with the leadership team of MALL Tan Phu Celadon in Ho Chi Minh City, a one-stop comprehensive shopping mall and a vital economic and social hub in Vietnam.

They also met with SPS Vietnam CEO Anatolijus Fouracre and Head of Customer Management Simon Bernhard for a discussion on how SPS is leveraging Vietnam as an IT offshoring destination – including how operations are structured, how talent is recruited and developed, and how quality and client satisfaction are maintained across global projects – before touring the company's facilities.

And, most recently, they sat down with Michael Piro, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Indochina Capital, for a discussion on developing projects in Vietnam. Their conversation touched on a range of aspects from land acquisition and financing to equity and partnerships.

This focus of this global residency on business and finance is made possible by the fact that the George Mason University MS in Real Development program is housed within the AACSB-accredited George Mason University - Costello College of Business, which differentiates our program from many others in the Washington, D.C. area.

06/18/2026

The George Mason University - Costello College of Business is a place where you can be comfortable, be yourself, and find a community around you.

Camp Costello is a unique program for incoming business students at George Mason University that includes three days of activities designed to foster a sense of community and build traditions among its participants. It’s an opportunity to connect with other incoming students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the business college before classes start in August and there is no cost for students to attend.

This year’s camp runs from Wednesday, August 19 through Friday, August 21.

Get started on your Costello success story. Register now for Camp Costello: https://business.gmu.edu/camp-costello

06/17/2026

On behalf of all of us at the George Mason University - Costello College of Business, we want to extend a warm Costello welcome to all of the incoming George Mason University freshmen, transfer, and international students.

We hope you enjoy your new student orientation program this summer, which has been designed to help transition you to Mason Nation, expose you to the broad educational opportunities now available to you at George Mason, and integrate you into life within our university community.

If you are a first-year Costello student, we want to encourage you to get involved in one of our 21 student organizations. There’s no better way to build a network of your peers, connect with your interests, and add depth to your resume.

Visit our student organizations page on our website to begin your Costello success story: https://ow.ly/69w950ZcUeL

➡️In the meantime, check out Tatiana’s story on how student organizations at George Mason and Costello helped her to make new friends and explore new horizons.

06/16/2026

Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, where residential and industrial growth is being powered by urban expansion, a booming middle class, and foreign direct investment. An understanding of this market provides real estate developers with the knowledge they need to navigate complex, high-growth markets almost anywhere in the world.

So, of course, the George Mason University - Costello College of Business is holding its MS in Real Estate Development inaugural global residency program in Ho Chi Minh City this summer. Our students, many of whom are working professionals, are getting hands-on training from industry leaders like these with real-world experience:

➡️Brook Taylor, CEO of Asset Management and Group COO at VinaCapital, who shared insights into Vietnam’s transforming business landscape, helped students understand the cultural, political, and economic factors driving Vietnam’s growth, and explored how leadership and resilience are shaping the country’s corporate and social development.
➡️Pham Ngoc Thien Thanh, Head of Research and Consulting Services CBRE, where students learned about the dynamics shaping urban planning and development in Ho Chi Minh City’s real estate market, including key trends in residential and commercial development, infrastructure expansion, and sustainable urban growth.
➡️Timothy Koay, Representative, PMH Holdings Group, for a discussion on how long-term master planning, phased development, infrastructure integration, community building, and placemaking are applied to create sustainable and high-quality urban environments in Ho Chi Minh City.
➡️Tung Ngo, Managing Partner, Vilaf Law Firm, who explored the legal framework governing real estate development, ownership, and leasing in Vietnam. Students gained insights into key legal structures, regulatory processes, and transaction practices that are shaping the real estate market, including foreign ownership considerations and investment regulations.

Our students’ global residency also includes opportunities to experience the traditions, natural beauty, and vibrant atmosphere of Vietnam with fun excursions to places like the Mekong Delta, the Vinh Trang Temple, and the city known as the “Pearl of the Far East,” and more.

📷: David Tarter, Executive Director, Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship and MS in Real Estate Development

06/15/2026

Dress for success this summer.

Because at the George Mason University - Costello College of Business, your success is our business.

Students studying business at George Mason University are matriculating at Virginia’s leading public university for value, upward mobility, and salary outcomes. George Mason’s top ranking for upward mobility reflects its commitment to helping students from all backgrounds succeed. Find out more about how George Mason University is powering student success: https://ow.ly/N1Jf50ZbQjk

And, while you’re at it, be sure to visit our online store to get your Costello merch: https://ow.ly/tvQe50ZbSzU

06/12/2026

Students are approaching business education with a clear focus on what comes next.

That's why we are building one of the most innovative schools in the Commonwealth, in the region, and in the country...to drive what the next generation of business education is going to be.

Discover the Costello difference: https://business.gmu.edu/

06/11/2026