Mason Sustainability Council: Executive Leadership
Provost and Executive Vice President Mark Ginsberg and Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance Deb Dickenson provide comprehensive oversight and supervision for the Mason Sustainability Council, which is jointly co-coordinated by Greg Farley, Director of University Sustainability, and Dr. Leah Nichols, Executive Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth.
Mark Ginsberg, Provost and Executive Vice President
Mark R. Ginsberg (PhD, The Pennsylvania State University, 1981) is George Mason University’s Provost and Executive Vice President. He joined the University in 2010 as the dean of the College of Education and Human Development. Dr. Ginsberg’s career spans more than 35 years as a professor, psychologist, and administrator. He has published extensively in the areas of education, psychology, human development and human services. In addition, Dr. Ginsberg has lectured and presented at over 200 conferences, seminars and other educational meetings and professional development events, both within the United States and internationally.
Dr. Ginsberg also holds a master’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Cortland.
Deb Dickenson, Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance
Deb Dickenson is the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance at George Mason University. As the chief financial and administrative officer, Ms. Dickenson works with the academic leadership, administrative management, and the Board of Visitors to ensure efficient and effective monitoring, management, and control of the university’s financial resources to support innovation and strategic initiatives. She joined Mason as the Vice President for Finance in August 2019.
Previously, Ms. Dickenson served in numerous prominent roles at George Washington University from 2006 to 2019. Her more than thirty-year financial and administrative background includes leadership positions with two large non-profit organizations, Marriott International, Inc., Price Waterhouse, LLP, and Arthur Andersen & Co.
Ms. Dickenson earned her MBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and her BBA in accounting from Southern Methodist University. She received her CPA from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, where she was granted a chartered global management accountant designation.
Mason Sustainability Council: Coordinators
Greg Farley, Director of University Sustainability, and Dr. Leah Nichols, Executive Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth, serve as the joint co-coordinators of the Mason Sustainability Council whose members include faculty, staff, and student representatives.
Greg Farley, Director of University Sustainability
Greg Farley is George Mason University’s Director of University Sustainability. Mr. Farley held similar positions at Washington College (Chestertown, MD) and at Chesapeake College (Wye Mills, MD), where he was also an award-winning instructor, Stuart M. Bounds Endowed Teaching Chair, and director of the Chesapeake College Center for Leadership in Environmental Education. Farley’s career in sustainability began as a visiting scholar at the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM), part of the University of Hawai‘i Maui College, where he also co-edited a book, “Thinking Like an Island: navigating a sustainable future in Hawai’i,” with SLIM Director Jennifer Chirico.
A biologist by training, Mr. Farley holds a Bachelor of Science from Duke University and a Master of Science from Florida State University.
Leah Nichols, Executive Director, Institute for a Sustainable Earth
Leah Nichols (PhD, University of California, Berkeley, 2007) is George Mason University’s Executive Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE). Dr. Nichols joined Mason in spring 2020 and leads the ISE team in creating connections – locally, globally, and across disciplines – to put Mason’s research and scholarship into action in support of a sustainable world.
Dr. Nichols came to Mason after 8 years at the National Science Foundation (NSF) where she served in integrative roles. She contributed extensively to the design and management of several of NSF’s agency-wide programs, including: Growing Convergence Research; Coastlines and People; Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems; and Interdisciplinary Research in Hazards and Disasters.
She has also published articles on the production of actionable knowledge in leading sustainability journals, including Nature Sustainability and Nature Climate Change, and contributed to the US Fourth National Climate Assessment.
Dr. Nichols also holds a Master of Arts in Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mason Sustainability Council: Membership
The MSC’s membership is comprised of faculty, staff, and student representatives who add expertise from a wide variety of perspectives.
Stephanie Aaronson, Deputy Vice President for University Branding
Stephanie Aaronson is the Deputy Vice President for University Branding. In that role, she oversees the internal and external integrated communications, digital, content and distribution strategies – in collaboration with the University’s colleges, centers and institutes – to advance Mason’s story of growth, innovation, and impact. In addition, Ms. Aaronson is responsible for curating and creating high quality original and shared content for new and existing channels.
Before joining Mason, Ms. Aaronson was Senior Vice President, Engagement, at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), where she led system-wide multiplatform content and engagement initiatives, and partnerships with business, schools, community partners, national leaders, and influencers, to enhance the impact of public media in building a strong civil society. She was also responsible for the strategic planning and management of public media’s largest collaboration, the “American Graduate,” initiative, which helped communities work together to improve the national high school graduation rate and youth access college and career programs. Ms. Aaronson joined CPB in 2012 as Vice President, Education and Community Impact.
Prior to CPB, she was Senior Director, Communications and Marketing, at PBS and PBS KIDS, overseeing corporate and crisis communications, media relations, program information, events, and viewers services. She also on the senior corporate strategy and operations leadership teams, and developed the PBS’ “Healthy Communities” initiative.
A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Aaronson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a certificate in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from George Mason University, and studied politics at Georgetown University and non-profit strategic communications at American University.
Paul Allvin, Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing
Paul Allvin is George Mason University’s Vice President of Strategic Communications and recently joined Mason on June 1st, 2020. Mr. Allvin has more than 30 years of experience in brand stewardship, communications, marketing, and journalism, having led strategic communications and brand stewardship teams at The University of Arizona, Make-A-Wish America, the USO, and America’s Promise Alliance.
From 2015-2018, Allvin led a brand refresh at the United Service Organizations (USO), which positioned it as America’s leading military- and veteran-serving organization as it celebrated its 75th anniversary. Prior to his work at the USO, he was Vice President of External Relations at The University of Arizona during a time that included the transition of university presidents and a university-led mission to Mars. Before joining The University of Arizona, Allvin served as the director of communications and chief speechwriter for then-Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, and he served as the chief brand strategist for Make-A-Wish, an organization he returned to in 2010 when he led a global brand refresh.
Mr. Allvin holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Arizona School of Journalism. During college, he was published in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Dallas Morning News, and The Arizona Republic.
Juliet Blank-Godlove, Dean of Students, Office of University Life
Juliet Blank-Godlove began her career in higher education at West Virginia University as a marketing specialist working in the campus student center and within the Office of Arts and Entertainment. She continued her career at Frostburg State University where she coordinated, advised, and supervised the Campus Activities Board, special events, and the fraternity and sorority system. Ms. Blank-Godlove began working at George Mason University during the summer of 2001 and has served in many roles including the Assistant Director of Student Activities for Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Assistant Dean of University Life for the Science and Technology Campus, the Director of the Leadership Education and Development Office, and as both an Assistant and Associate Dean of University Life. She currently serves as the Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President of University Life at Mason, where she supports the offices of Graduate Student Life, Leadership Education and Development, Student Involvement, Student Media, and the Student Support and Advocacy Center.
Ms. Blank-Godlove received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Leadership, both from West Virginia University.
Trishana Bowden, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations, and President, GMU Foundation
Trishana Bowden is George Mason University’s Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Relations, and President of the GMU Foundation, Inc., a role she has held since 2018. Ms. Bowden works with a multitude of highly engaged and energetic University and Foundation partners and reports jointly to Mason President Dr. Gregory Washington and to the George Mason University Foundation Board of Trustees. She is responsible for developing, executing, and evaluating all aspects of the University’s comprehensive fundraising program, including annual giving, major and leadership giving, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, alumni relations, research and prospect management, development services, and donor cultivation and stewardship.
Ms. Bowden previously served as the Vice President of Advancement at Goucher Collee, a role she held from 2015-2018, where she doubled overall giving in less than three years. Prior to her work at Goucher, she was the Associate Dean for External Relations at the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law where she was instrumental in helping steward a $30 million gift to rename the law school. She also served as Associate Dean for Institutional Advancement at American University’s Washington College of Law and has held development positions at the American Lung Association of Maryland and the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center.
Ms. Bowden holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication/Media Studies from Towson University.
Laurence Bray, Associate Provost for Graduate Education
Laurence Bray (PhD, University of Nevada, 2010) is George Mason University’s Associate Provost for Graduate Education, a role she has held since March 2020.
Prior to her new role, Dr. Bray has overseen a wide range of departmental, school, and university-wide educational and research activities as a faculty member and administrator in the Department of Bioengineering. Some recent activities have involved developing new innovative programs, creating student professional development support, leading program assessment and accreditation, and receiving internal and external funding for a variety of projects.
Dr. Bray is an award-winning mentor, a teacher, and a researcher with significant administrative experience. She was recognized with the 2017 Mentorship Excellence Award and the 2018 Teacher of Distinction Recognition. In addition, she has received the 2017 Innovative Spirit Award demonstrating her work around innovation and new initiatives. She has published widely and presented nationally and internationally on topics related to the basic fundamentals of neuroscience using experimental, computational, and behavioral approaches.
Prior to joining Mason, Dr. Bray was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the Brain Laboratory at the University of Nevada, where she earned her PhD in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering. Dr. Bray also holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering and Biological Sciences, both from Clemson University.
Aurali Dade, Associate Vice President and Deputy Chief Research Officer
Aurali Dade (PhD, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, 2010), is George Mason University’s Associate Vice President for Research Innovation. In her role, Dr. Dade is responsible for developing and implementing university strategy for fostering a dynamic, supportive, and growing research ecosystem. Dade leads the Research and Innovation Initiatives (RII) team, which includes programs, offices, centers, and institutes that are focused on supporting, connecting, communicating about, and convening researchers internally and with external partners.
Prior to her current role, Dr. Dade served as the inaugural Executive Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE). She has experience in numerous leadership roles at Mason, including working as the Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation. Dade has also served as the Associate Vice President of Research Development, Integrity, and Assurance and as the Assistant Vice President for Research Compliance. Before joining Mason, Dade served in various leadership roles at large public universities.
She has taught university classes focused on data ethics, risk, environmental science, and biology and has served as a PI and co-PI on grants focused on enhancing the research enterprise from the Department of Health and Human Services and private foundations. Dr. Dade also holds a Master of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology, both from Texas Tech University.
Cody Edwards, Associate Provost for a Sustainable Earth
Cody Edwards (PhD, Texas Tech University) is George Mason University’s Associate Provost for a Sustainable Earth. Dr. Edwards joined Mason in 2004 and has served in numerous roles, including as the Associate Provost for Graduate Education and as founding director of the College of Science’s STEM Accelerator Program. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy.
Dr. Edwards’ research philosophy encompasses the full multiplicity of conservation and evolutionary biology, ranging from impacts of military training on small and medium-sized mammal communities, the ecological and conservation impacts of introduced rodents on endemic Galápagos Islands’ rodents, to population and conservation genetics of leaf litter frogs (Costa Rica and Panama), swans (Alaska and Virginia), rodents (Canada, central and south America, Mexico, United States), black rhinoceros (South Africa; collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Freeman, School of Integrative Studies), and black howler monkeys (Belize; collaboration with Dr. Sylvia Vitazkova, School of Integrative Studies). His contributions are well-recognized internationally and nationally: he has served on 7 international or national professional society committees, has been published numerous times, has served as an advisor or committee member for 32 graduate (doctoral and master’s) and 13 undergraduate students, and has received research funding totaling more than $1.6 million.
Dr. Edwards also holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Biology, both from Angelo State University.
Lisa Gring-Pemble, Associate Professor & Co-Director, Business for a Better World Center
Lisa Gring-Pemble (PhD, University of Maryland, 2000) is a George Mason University Associate Professor and the Co-Executive Director of the Business for a Better World Center. Dr. Gring-Pemble joined Mason in 2000 and currently teaches and conducts research around three main areas: 1) global impact and engagement, 2) argumentation, rhetorical criticism, and persuasion, and 3) political communication and public policy. Gring-Pemble’s current research focuses on the role of rhetoric and morality in capitalist markets, the role of language in legislation on equal pay and immigration, and the role of business in addressing sustainable development goals and creating positive impact.
In her role as the Co-Executive Director of the Business for a Better World Center, Dr. Gring-Pemble supports university-wide initiatives that engage students of all majors in social innovation, social enterprise, and entrepreneurship. She is also the co-founder of the Honey Bee Initiative, a member of Mason’s team in the Deans and Directors Cohort of the Global Responsible Leadership Institute (GRLI), a representative of Mason in the Champions Cycle of the Principles of Responsible Management (PRME) Initiative of the UN Global Compact, and serves as Mason’s liaison to Ashoka.
Dr. Gring-Pemble also holds a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Hispanic Studies from St. Olaf College.
Erin Iacangelo Rogers, Staff Senate Chair
Erin Iacangelo Rogers’ Mason journey began as a student in 2008 when she started studying in the undergraduate Tourism and Events Management program. While studying, she joined the University Life SciTech’s campus staff in 2010 as the Special Events Coordinator Assistant. During her undergraduate studies, Mrs. Iacangelo Rogers worked in various event and hospitality capacities and continued to plug into the Mason community as new opportunities arose. Following graduation, Mrs. Iacangelo Rogers began her current role as the Events Coordinator at the Science and Technology Campus.
Mrs. Iacangelo Rogers first joined the Staff Senate in 2016. Soon thereafter, in 2019, she was nominated as the Vice Chair. Following her service in this role, she was elected as the Chair of the Staff Senate for the 2021-22 academic year. As the Chair of the Staff Senate, she works hard to maintain communications across all campuses while building a collaborative relationship with Mason’s leadership.
Mrs. Iacangelo Rogers holds a Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Events Management from George Mason University and is currently working on her Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) certificate.
Paul Liberty, Vice President for Government and Community Relations
Paul Liberty is George Mason University’s Vice President for Government and Community Relations, a position he has held since 2012. Mr. Liberty reports directly to President Dr. Gregory Washington and oversees a team that works with federal, state, and local governments as well as business and civic communities. Prior to this appointment, Liberty served as Interim Vice President for University Relations, where he was responsible for managing community relations, creative services, events management, media and public relations, University information, and web communications.
Before joining Mason, Mr. Liberty was an executive for two publicly traded companies as well as a merger and acquisition advisory firm overseeing internal and external communications, corporate affairs, investor relations, legislative affairs, marketing, and public relations. He has also worked in various executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government at the federal, state, and local levels, including roles on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and as a Chief of Staff for a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Liberty holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from George Mason University.
Sally Lorentson, Assistant Vice President for University Life
Sally Lorentson (EdD, The George Washington University, 2010) is Assistant Vice President for University Life. Sally joined Mason in 2011 as the Director of New Student and Family Programs and prior served in a variety of roles across student affairs during her 20 year career. Sally’s passion is to see every student succeed in reaching their goals in college. She has spent much of her career focused on key points of transition in a student experience, supporting new students, building programs to support the college students of today and tomorrow, and leading teams through the work of dismantling the old systems of higher education and building them new again for the sake of student success.
Edward Maibach, Distinguished University Professor & Director, Center for Climate Change Communication
Edward Maibach (PhD, Stanford University, 1990) is George Mason University’s Director for the Center for Climate Change Communications (4C) and a Distinguished University Professor. Dr. Maibach is a communication scientist and an expert in the uses of strategic communication and social marketing to address climate change and related public health challenges. His research – funded by NSF, NASA and private foundations – focuses on the public’s understanding of climate change and clean energy; the psychology underlying public engagement; and cultivating TV weathercasters, health professionals, and climate scientists as effective climate educators.
From 2011 to 2014, Dr. Maibach was a member of the National Climate Assessment Development and Advisory Committee that produced the 3rd National Climate Assessment (2014), and he co-chaired the committee’s Engagement & Communication Working Group. In 2018, Maibach was appointed a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Previously, he served as an Associate Director of the National Cancer Institute, as the Worldwide Director of Social Marketing at Porter Novelli, and as Chairman of the Board for Kidsave International.
Dr. Maibach also holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.
Andre W. Marshall, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact and President of the George Mason Research Foundation
Andre W. Marshall (PhD, University of Maryland, College Park, 1996) is Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact at George Mason University and President of the George Mason Research Foundation. As the university’s senior research officer, Marshall provides overall leadership for the portfolio of research, innovation, and economic development activities. In addition, Dr. Marshall is a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Volgenau School of Engineering where he explores research and teaching interests centered around experimental characterization and computational evaluation of complex turbulent reacting flows and sprays.
Marshall joined George Mason University from the National Science Foundation (NSF), where he served as Program Director for the Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) and Innovation Corps (I-CorpsTM) programs. During his tenure at NSF, Marshall advanced NSF’s university-based tech translation and commercialization programs through national initiatives strengthening industry-university engagement and collaboration, new partnerships broadening participation in innovation and tech entrepreneurship, and program virtualization increasing accessibility to the highly regarded national I-Corps Teams program. Prior to NSF, Marshall served on the faculty at the University of Maryland, College Park, in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering where he founded the Fire Testing and Evaluation Center (FireTEC) and launched a tech-startup.
Dr. Marshall’s research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, FM Global, United Technologies Research Center, National Fire Protection Association, and various other institutions. He is the recipient of the NSF Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering (PECASE) and the Philip Thomas Medal of Excellence. He has served as Associate Editor for the Fire Safety Journal and on the USPTO Working Group for the National Council for Expanding American Innovation (NCEAI).
Dr. Marshall began his college career at Georgia Tech where he received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1991 and 1992, respectively. In 1996, he completed his PhD in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park.
René Stewart O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning & Budgeting
René Stewart O’Neal is George Mason University’s Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning & Budgeting. Ms. O’Neal joined the university’s Administration and Finance leadership team in 2019 and is excited about the opportunity to promote a transparent, accountable, and responsive financial management culture with evidence-based planning as a foundation for investment.
Before coming to Mason, Ms. O’Neal was the Vice Provost for Budget and Finance at the George Washington University, a role she held since 2013, where she had responsibility for developing multi-year financial goals and budgetary strategies for the academic operations of the university, including all ten schools, ensuring alignment of academic financial goals with the financial goals and mission of the University. Prior to GW, she served as the Director of Planning and was the Assistant Director of the Office of Planning & Budgets at Michigan State University for more than 10 years.
O’Neal is a highly experienced higher education finance professional, having held numerous senior administrative positions at Wellesley College, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and Michigan State University. Ms. O’Neal holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Policy degrees from Harvard University.
Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life
Rose Pascarell is George Mason University’s Vice President for University Life, a role she has held since 2012. Ms. Pascarell has held several leadership positions in the university, including roles as the Associate Vice President for University Life, the Associate Dean for Campus Life, and the Associate Director of the Women’s Studies Research and Resource Center. Ms. Pascarell’s leadership in University Life has focused on increasing student engagement and academic success, and the building of just communities.
Ms. Pascarell has worked on campus climate and multicultural/diversity issues for the last fifteen years. Her teaching and workshops focus on race, class, gender, sexuality in addition to the formation of a just community through the examination of difference.
Ms. Pascarell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Criminology, and Conflict Analysis at the State University of New York at Albany and a Master of Arts in Sociology from George Mason University.
Cliff Shore, Chief Procurement Officer
Cliff Shore has served as Mason’s Chief Procurement Officer, overseeing the university’s purchasing, accounts payable, and supplier diversity functions since 2017. Prior to that, Cliff was Mason’s Director of Purchasing. Mr. Shore has more than 25 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, operations, and contract management.
Before joining Mason, Mr. Shore oversaw all purchasing and logistics for a private contractor that built embassies for the Federal Government. Before that, Mr. Shore served as the Vice President of Operations and Purchasing for a national retail chain. His responsibilities included the purchasing, supply manufacturing, contracting, and building operations for 250 stores.
Mr. Shore holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University Of Wisconsin-Madison and has a Certified Purchasing Manager certification from the Institute for Supply Management.
Sebastian Silvestro, Student Government Undersecretary for Sustainability
Sebastian Silvestro is the current George Mason University Student Government Undersecretary of Sustainability and serves as a representative of the student body. A sophomore, he is currently pursuing a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Alongside the pursuit of personal sustainability initiatives, Sebastian acts as a liaison between the numerous sustainability related entities and the student body, working to close the gap between executive leadership and everyday students.
An experienced leader, Mr. Silvestro is a graduate of the KPMG Rise Leadership Institute and serves on the advisory committee for Mason’s Patriot Green Fund. He is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and a former intern with consulting firms Deloitte and Anderson.
Frank Strike, Vice President for Facilities
Frank Strike is George Mason University’s Vice President for Facilities, a role he has held since 2018. Mr. Strike has more than 30 years of experience in project management, contracting, design, facilities operations and management. He previously managed and executed a capital and non-capital design and construction program at Mason over $100 million, and comprehensively managed the operations and maintenance of more than 8.5 million square feet of Mason buildings.
Before joining Mason, Mr. Strike was the Business Director for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Norfolk, VA, where he was responsible for 13,000 employees and a business volume exceeding $12 billion annually. In addition, he served as the Executive Director of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; Business Manager and Utilities Department Head at Navy Public Works Center, Norfolk, and the Deputy Public Works Officer at Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown.
Mr. Strike holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University, a Master of Engineering from Old Dominion University, and a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary.
Bethany Usher, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
Bethany Usher (PhD, Penn State) is George Mason University’s Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and takes students to graveyards – she is a biological anthropologist who studies cemeteries from both osteological and archaeological perspectives to understand the social structure and health of past communities. Dr. Usher joined Mason in 2010 and is passionate about getting students to apply their classroom experiences and learn how fun and exciting it is to tackle intellectual challenges.
Prior to her current position at Mason, Dr. Usher served as the Director of the Students as Scholars program through the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR), and served as the Associate Director for the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTFE). Before joining Mason, she served in various roles at the State University of New York Potsdam, including as the Director of the Center for Undergraduate Research, which she established, and as the Chair of the Department of Anthropology.
Dr. Usher also holds a Master of Arts in Bioarchaeology from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Biology from the University of Virginia.
Tobi Walsh, Assistant Vice President for Capital Strategy and Planning
Tobi Walsh is George Mason University’s Assistant Vice President of Capital Strategy and Planning. Before joining Mason in July 2020, Ms. Walsh served as Principal Educational Facility Planner at the University of California, Irvine, where she implemented planning process improvements for the department and managed strategic priority projects for the university.
Ms. Walsh spent the first decade of her career practicing as a licensed Civil Engineer in the fields of geotechnical and environmental engineering. She led projects including environmental site assessments, geotechnical soils investigations, leaking underground storage tank site remediation, Superfund/RCRA site hazardous waste remediation, and design and monitoring of impoundments for mining, landfill, and industrial waste. Ms. Walsh is an expert database programmer, who applied technology solutions to streamline and automate data collection and analyses as part of her civil and environmental engineering work. She leveraged this data-driven approach in private practice for nearly two decades, consulting in the fields of civil engineering, construction, real estate development, and process improvement, which included the development of custom technology solutions relating to construction project management, job costing, accounting, customer management, and inventory control.
Ms. Walsh holds a Master of Science in Construction Management & Business Administration from Arizona State University. Her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering was also from Arizona State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was honored as the Outstanding Graduate in Civil Engineering.
Tom Wood, Associate Professor of Integrative and Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Wood is Associate Professor of Integrative and Interdisciplinary Studies in the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) at George Mason University and has been with SIS since 1996. He created the Smithsonian Mason Semester and directed the development of Mason’s joint program with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Currently he serves as Director of Environmental Studies on the Piedmont, a 1000 acre research station near campus.
Dr. Wood’s research interests are in conservation biology, reproductive physiology, ecology and education. He advises graduate students and undergraduate students involved in many projects ranging from biodiversity monitoring to education reform.
A recipient of the George Mason University Excellence in Teaching Award, Dr. Wood has co-developed many interdisciplinary, team-taught, learning community courses focused on science and civic engagement. His course “Mysteries of Migration, Consequences for Conservation” was selected as a national model course for science education reform in 2000.
He also serves as the Dive Control Officer of the George Mason chapter of the American Academy of Underwater Scientists and directs the scientific diving training program at Mason.
Prior Members
Dr. Shannon Davis, Faculty Senate Chair, 2020-21
Lauren Reuscher, Staff Senate Chair, 2020-21
Shelby Adams, former Student Body President, 2020-21
Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post, former Chair of the Faculty Senate, 2020-21
Lilianna Deveneau, former President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association, 2020-21
Carol Dillon Kissal, former Senior Vice President and Co-Chair of the Mason Sustainability Council
Bill Dracos, former Associate Vice President for Operations and Business Services
Ann Ardis, Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences