If you are interested in downloading materials from the sessions below, click on the title of the presentation. Presenters have provided electronic materials for the titles highlighted in blue.
Educational Session #1 (10:00am-11:15am)
Engaging Difference: Creating an Inclusive Learning Community to Strengthen Cultural Excellence–
Part One: Exploring Identities
Location: Johnson Center Room A
Presenters: Marquita Chamblee, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education, Joya Crear, Associate
Dean, University Life, Heather Ward, Associate Director, Office of International Programs and Services, and
Rebecca Walter, Associate Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education
George Mason University continues to celebrate its position as one of the most diverse institutions in the country,
and yet a number of students have reported a sense of disappointment that they haven’t actually engaged with the
many diverse people on this campus. How can staff and faculty at Mason enhance and strengthen their own
abilities to understand and interact effectively with diversity on campus and in turn create more intentional spaces
for students to engage meaningful interactions across difference? As Mason moves toward becoming a more
global and multicultural university, capacity building to create and sustain an inclusive, welcoming campus remains
a high priority. In this interactive, experiential session, participants will be introduced to a learning model that
explores basic concepts of diversity and multiculturalism at personal and interpersonal levels. This is Part One of a
two-part session. Each independent session will explore different concepts, so it is possible to participate in either
or both.
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Secrets of Ethical Decision-Making: Uncovering the Approaches you are Already Using
Location: Johnson Center Room C
Presenter: Nick Lennon, Director, Leadership Education and Development
Participants in this interactive session will have an opportunity to participate in dialogue around ethical decision making. Participants will have an opportunity to discover something new about themselves and others by
challenging their own thought processes and beliefs. The session will include an interactive exercise and small
group dialogue about ethical dilemmas.
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The Community Approach to Addressing Collegiate Mental Health Issues
Location: Johnson Center Room D
Presenters: Brett E. Scofield, Ph.D., Staff Clinical Psychologist, Counseling and Psychological Services, Karen
Bagley, Ph.D., Staff Clinical Psychologist, Counseling and Psychological Services, Anchal Khanna, M.S., LPC,
Interim Coordinator of Crisis Services, Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services, similar to many university-based mental health services around the
nation, face a challenge meeting the growing demand for services coupled with finite resources. Within the Mason
student population, data show that the mental health needs are significant and becoming more serious. Given the
discrepancy between the mental needs of college students and available resources, the current program will
outline the importance of inspiring campus wide preventative efforts to collaboratively address mental health
issues. Reasonable interventions that Mason staff can implement with students to promote resiliency and
wellness will be described. Finally, an examination of the processes involved in the provision of psychological
services will be outlined in an effort to reduce stigma and other stereotypes related to mental health.
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Mason’s Sustainability LLC: A Model For Student Success
Location: Johnson Center Room E
Presenters: Kara Danner, Director, Living Learning Community Development University Life, Andrew
Wingfield, Sustainability Studies Fellow, Provost’s Office and LLC Faculty Liaison
Now in its third year, the Sustainability Living Learning Community (SLLC) is a model of success at Mason. SLLC
residents are all about making changes on campus and in students’ lives. By making sustainability a key
component of their personal lives and taking the lead in Mason’s efforts to create the greenest university in
Virginia, our SLLC residents are not just talking the talk, they are truly walking the walk. And they are having lots
of fun in the process! Join us if you would like to learn more about LLCs at Mason and how the SLLC is leading the
pack in terms of this high impact practice. You’ll hear first hand examples from SLLC participants themselves
about their LLC projects and the impact of their participation in the LLC on their overall Mason experience.
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Becoming a Fred: Creating a Positive Office Culture
Location: Johnson Center Room G
Presenters: Sara Morrisroe, Associate Director, Student Involvement, Melissa Masone, Assistant Director for
Student Government, Student Involvement, Rosanna Duran, Assistant Director for Student Organizations, Student
Involvement, EmilyAnn Brueck, Graduate Assistant. for Student Government, Student Involvement
Do you ever wonder if you’re a Fred? This interactive session will explore the book The Fred Factor by Mark
Sanborn while gaining data informed knowledge and strategies to become a Fred. Learn what it means to “live,
work & relate in a truly unique & authentic manner.” And challenge yourself to “make work an opportunity not an
obligation.” Help Mason become a Fred campus one person at a time. Join the movement!
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Using Free MOOCs to Enhance Online Learning
Location: Johnson Center Room Georges
Presenters: Larisa Olesova, Instructional Designer, Instructional Design, DoIT – Learning Support Services, Irina
Chizhova, International Faculty and Scholar Advisor, International Programs and Services, Alina Yurievna
Trifonova, International Student Advisor for SEVIS Compliance, International Programs and Services, Birgit
Debeerst, Assistant Director, Programs and Outreach, International Programs and Services
Want your students to get an earlier understanding of what they need to know about coming to your college?
Want to get an idea of how much they already understand and what might be problem areas? The Office of
International Programs and Services (OIPS) created an Online Orientation and an Optional Practical Training
(OPT) workshop for international students using a free MOOC with modules and quizzes which allowed them to
gain earlier visibility of the specific needs of both groups and individuals enabling them to customize their in-person
sessions (On-Campus Orientation and OPT Q&A workshop). This presentation will focus on the creation of the
MOOC, test results, challenges and successes, and the road ahead.
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Educational Session #2 (1:00pm-2:15pm)
Engaging Difference: Creating an Inclusive Learning Community to Strengthen Cultural Excellence–
Part Two: Exploring Power, Privilege and Cultural Assumptions
Location: Johnson Center Room A
Presenters: Marquita Chamblee, Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education Joya Crear, Associate Dean, University Life, Heather Ward, Associate Director, Office of International Programs and Services, Rebecca Walter, Associate Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education
George Mason University continues to celebrate its position as one of the most diverse institutions in the country, and yet a number of students have reported a sense of disappointment that they haven’t actually engaged with the many diverse people on this campus. How can staff and faculty at Mason enhance and strengthen their own abilities to understand and interact effectively with diversity on campus and in turn create more intentional spaces for students to engage meaningful interactions across difference? As Mason moves toward becoming a more global and multicultural university, capacity building to create and sustain an inclusive, welcoming campus remains a high priority. In this interactive, experiential session, participants will be introduced to a learning model that explores basic concepts of diversity and multiculturalism at personal and interpersonal levels. This is Part Two of a two-part session. Each independent session will explore different concepts, so it is possible to participate in either or both.
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What is Title IX?
Location: Johnson Center Room C
Presenters: Mary Ann Sprouse, Wellness, Alcohol, and Violence Education and Services, Gerardine Mobley, Office of Equity and Diversity, Equal Opportunity Specialist/Trainer, Rachel Lindsey, Coordinator for Violence Prevention and Response, Wellness, Alcohol, and Violence Education and Services
In the last two years, Title IX and the Dear Colleague letter issued by the Office of Civil Rights have been receiving ever-growing attention in the wake of lawsuits, the formation of national organizations, and an explosion of press coverage. What are we as student affairs professionals to do? This session will address the following: (1) Who is a mandated reporter, or a Title IX investigator? (2) What are you required to report, and how do you know? (3) How do you provide an appropriate, student-centered response after a disclosure (and where do your Title IX responsibilities fit in)? and (4) Learn the answers to these questions and more through a presentation from WAVES and Equity.
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Keeping Our Students Safe – Concussion Prevention in Recreation
Location: Johnson Center Room D
Presenters: Paul Bazzano, Assistant Director, Competitive Sports, Ryan Bradshaw, Assistant Director, Club Sports, Dr. Lisa Park, Student Health Services, Andy Prishack MPT, VATL, Center Manager, Director of Athletic Training Services
This session will inform participants about the science behind concussions and assist them in identifying potential signs that a student has recently suffered a concussion. Participants will also learn about resources available on campus to better serve students who are suffering from concussion related symptoms. Participation in recreational activities brings an associated risk of concussion, especially for our students competing in contact sports. Participants will learn how concussions may affect a student’s performance in the classroom and how to direct students to the resources available on campus. Attendees will learn how Mason Recreation has identified its high risk sports and the steps we are taking to better protect our student athletes involved in these sports. The presentation will also feature new trends within the equipment industry and how leagues are taking steps to reduce the potential for concussion.
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Web Content Strategy
Location: Johnson Center Room E
Presenter: Karen Wolf, Technology Coordinator, Office of Technology Integration
Now that you have a website… what do you do with it? How can you best reach students? How do you get your message across. The Web Content Strategy program will help you identify your goals and put them into action, as well as discuss the best practices in web content strategy, basic user testing, and writing for the web. From websites to social media, bring a new level of professionalism and polish to your stories and your message, and reach your audience more effectively!
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Intentional Commitments for College Access: First-Generation Students
Location: Johnson Center Room F
Presenters: Lewis Forrest, Executive Director, Early Identification Program, Rhina Ascencio, Program Coordinator, Early Identification Program, Laydy Reyes, Program Coordinator, Early Identification Program
The Early Identification Program (EIP) serves as the college preparatory program of George Mason University, providing access to educational resources for first-generation college-bound students throughout Northern Virginia. EIP empowers both first-generation students and their families in the pursuit of higher education, and succeeding therein. To ensure the academic and career preparedness of its students and ensure their familiarity with post-secondary processes, EIP engages a holistic approach that centers on the whole student. This is accomplished through year-round academic content support, personal and social development, civic engagement, and leadership training. As a result, our students are better equipped with the knowledge, skills, and intellect to become lifelong learners, leaders, and responsible global citizens. Through the shared dialogues of EIP Alumni, as well as comparable experiences of first-generation students from within the national context, our session will highlight the impacts of early intervention and access programs. The expectation is to create an increased awareness and consideration of the transitional needs of first-generation students (academic and non-academic), both prior to and during their matriculation through higher education. Examples of EIP’s structured academic services and the student development supports it employs to proactively assist first-generation students suggest a framework for emergent success for this special population.
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Undocumented Student Success at Mason
Location: Johnson Center Room G
Presenters: Jennifer Crewalk, Assistant Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education,
Jorge Velasquez, student, Bianca Cruz, student, Mario Lopez, student, and Anna Martinez, student
Learn about an underrepresented group of students at Mason that impact your role and work. This program will address the challenges undocumented (Dreamers) students face while navigating at the university. Hear for yourself the current information, the call for action for educational equity and the importance of becoming an ally today.
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Bridging ULIFE and Academic Life: Illustrations from the Field and Advice for the Future
Location: Johnson Center Room Georges
Presenters: Angie Hattery, Director, Women and Gender Studies Center and Tashia Harris, Program Coordinator, Women and Gender Studies Center
This presentation and workshop will examine some of the ways that University Life and Academic Life can work together to contribute positively to the Student Success Model. Examples from Mason, and Women and Gender Studies in particular will be provided. Presenters will work with workshop participants to identify opportunities for cross-collaboration and strategies for achieving it.
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Common Read Program for Off-Campus Students
Location: Johnson Center Room Gold
Presenters: Mhehvish Khan, Graduate Assistant, Off-Campus Student Programs and Services,
Emilie Dubert, Graduate Assistant, Off-Campus Student Programs and Services
In 2013, Off-Campus Student Programs and Services piloted a Common Read program to engage students and connect them with faculty and staff before the start of school. All incoming off-campus freshmen participated in the Common Read program and attended events that were themed around the book. In this session we will be discussing common reading programs around the country. Additionally, we will look at the implementation of 2013 Off-Campus “Start Something that Matters” Common Read program. Lastly, participants will be able to learn about ways they can participate and support the 2014 Common Read program efforts at George Mason University.
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Educational Session #3 (2:30pm-3:45pm)
Walking the Talk: Trans* Students Count at Mason
Location: Johnson Center Room A
Presenters: Ric Chollar, Associate Director, LGBTQ Resources LuLu Geza, Graduate Assistant, LGBTQ Resources, Tashia Harris, Program Coordinator in Women and Gender Studies Center
As the number of trans* and gender nonconforming students in all of our programs and spaces across University Life (and Mason) goes up, we at LGBTQ Resources and Women & Gender Studies hope to be seen as resources for other units that want to be more inclusive for students with these particular identities. In this session, we hope to reach those units we haven’t been collaborating with lately to have some honest conversations about the way (for all of us) our reliance on and uncritical acceptance of the gender binary might be a barrier to making the Mason experience a success for trans* and gender nonconforming students.
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A Millennial Transformation: The LSAMP Bridge Program
Location: Johnson Center Room C
Presenters: Dr. Amber Knighting, Learning Specialist, Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. Alok Berry, Associate Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Vicki Dominick, Assistant Director, Learning Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Laura McCloskey, Learning Specialist, Counseling and Psychological Services
Since its transition to online delivery in the Summer of 2010, the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Bridge Program at Mason has become a model for peer universities. A transition program which works with incoming freshmen in the STEM field, LSAMP-Bridge is a collaborative effort between staff of Learning Services and professors in the School of Engineering. This session will identify how overcoming departmental obstacles such as financial adversity can facilitate instructional innovations. Participants will learn how to recognize the potential in the online learning model, which can result in not only a more cost-efficient program, but a more flexible approach to student and faculty academic engagement.
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Providing Health Information to College Students in the Digital Age
Location: Johnson Center Room D
Presenter: Patrice Levinson, Nurse Practitioner, Student Health Services
We know that college students use the Internet to look up health information, but do they believe what they find? This session will review recent studies on how college students receive health and healthy lifestyle information and whether or not the students believe what they learn. We will look at innovative practices used by other universities. And, we will brainstorm ways for you, your department, UL and Mason to provide believable, fun and interesting health and healthy lifestyle information to our students.
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Dialogue for Global Understanding
Location: Johnson Center Room E
Presenter: Michael Smith, Graduate Studies Advisor, English Language Institute
Dialogue is a powerful conflict resolution technique that teaches people to communicate effectively across differences. Dialogue skills can empower Mason faculty, staff, and students to identify and bridge differences in language and culture that might lead to miscommunication between native and multilingual speakers of English. This workshop will introduce dialogue tools that have been used successfully in CONF 325, a unique linked course in which Mason and ELI students learn the dialogue skills to explore differences in language and culture. Participants will experience one of these tools in an actual dialogue, and will share ways in which these tools might be used to promote cross-cultural understanding on campus.
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First-Generation Student Support
Location: Johnson Center Room F
Presenters: Teejay Brown, Assistant Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education,
Walter Parrish, Assistant Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education
First-generation college students are a growing population in colleges and universities across the United States. This breakout session will address the unique challenges and barriers faced by first generation students, and explore ways in which university administrators and faculty can foster these students’ academic achievement, sense of belonging, and holistic development at Mason.
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Collaboration for Introverts
Location: Johnson Center Room G
Presenter: Robyn Madar, Trainer, Human Resources and Payroll (Certified Practitioner, MBTI and MBTI Step II)
Calling all introverts! At last, a workshop designed with your preferences in mind. This session will explore collaboration from an introvert’s perspective. Walk away with tools for thriving in a brainstorming- and groupwork-obsessed work and school environment. Whether you are an introvert, you work with introverts, or you want to support those introverted students who come into your office, this session will provide insight and techniques to make Mason more inclusive and welcoming to introverts. If you’re feeling really prepared, read Susan Cain’s “Quiet” and review your Myers-Briggs materials in advance – but no worries – no one will make you share with the group if you don’t want to.
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Student Conduct Professionals as Educators: Learning Centered Practice
Location: Johnson Center Room Georges
Presenter: Brent Ericson, Assistant Dean/Director, Office of Student Conduct
To often conduct officers hear about procedures, forms, FERPA, Title IX, and legal considerations when they attend institutes or conferences. In the midst of these very important procedural considerations, we can forget that we are first and foremost educators. This session will review how we can bring student learning and growth to the forefront of our conduct processes – to be ‘procedurally sound, yet learning centered’ in our work.
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Fostering Effective Family-Student Partnerships
Location: Johnson Center Room Gold
Presenters: Kaitlin Oyler, Associate Directr, Orientation and Family Programs and Services, William Aryea, Assistant Director, Annual Giving, Development Office
It’s no secret that parents and families are actively engaged in the experiences of their college student. Orientation and Family Programs and Services (OFPS) recognizes the important role families play in their student’s development and success at Mason, and provides outlets for families to become active members of the campus community. In 2013, OFPS established the Mason Parent and Family Council as an opportunity for families to serve the Mason community in an elevated leadership role. This presentation will provide an overview of current trends with Parent and Family Councils, review the mission and goals of our own Council, and discuss how OFPS has developed a partnership with the Office of Annual Giving to further support the function of the Council.