Dean's Blog
Welcome to the blog of interim dean Cody W. Edwards
Cody W. Edwards is the dean of the College of Science at George Mason University. Edwards has served as the senior associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in the College of Science, where he has played a critical role in shaping academic policies and enhancing faculty development. He has also served as executive director of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) for nearly eight years.
Building a strong foundationNovember 14, 2024
For anything to grow, it must have a strong foundation. In the case of the higher education sector, most people consider the faculty, staff, and students as the foundation (and they'd be right) yet after touring the Fairfax, Science and Technology, and Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation campuses the past few weeks, I would also add another important foundational ingredient to fueling growth... our facilities and infrastructure.
The science of changeNovember 6, 2024
It’s that time of year. Our campuses are a lively display of nature’s beauty as the leaves change creating brilliant, breathtaking displays of color. As scientists, we understand the main reason for this change is the change of daylight hours impacting the breakdown of chlorophyll, which allows the leaves’ yellow and orange pigments (carotenoids) to become visible. Different species have varying pigments leading to the variety of colors. Then the leaves fall, as the abscission layer of cells weaken the connection between the leaf and branch. What’s left of the trees and bushes (stems, trunks and twigs) are equipped to survive the winter to come. What happens to all the leaves that fall? Nature has a solution for that too; they decompose, can become food for soil organisms, or help the humus layer of forest with rainfall absorption. It’s easy to see the change in the tree yet perhaps harder to observe the full benefit to the forest ecosystem at large. But we appreciate it for the beauty it is, even turning the chore of leaf raking into jumping into the piles we create.
Fostering an engaged science communityOctober 16, 2024
Over the past week, within our busy schedules, many of us carved out time to welcome George Mason's new provost, Jim Antony to share his vision for the university and our college, and our roles in helping attain it.
Success in progressOctober 2, 2024
Our college motto includes an elusive word whose definition is individualized to mean different things to different people. Success. It’s a quest to which we all aspire. And as scientists, there is so much at stake as our successes may hold great promise for society. Yet to fully achieve it, one must encourage and even embrace its antithesis, failure.
Dean's Blog by Cody W. Edwards
Cody W. Edwards began serving as the College of Science's interim dean effective July 1, 2024.
Fall 2024
Building today’s and tomorrow’s space leaders at George Mason
September 28, 2024
Summer 2024
Mentorship: Receiving and Giving The Gift of Time
August 22, 2024
Hello world – Meet Our Game Changers
August 8, 2024
Collaboration: Risk or Reward
July 17, 2024
New Chapter
July 3, 2024
Dean's Blog by Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm
Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm served as dean of the College of Science until June 30, 2024.
Summer 2024
The end is just the beginning
June 4, 2024
Building Understanding – What’s it all for?
May 22, 2024
Spring 2024
Bet on yourself
May 8, 2024
Building bridges and finding common ground
April 23, 2024
Giving to our Vision - A Vibrant Future for All, Informed by Science
March 27, 2024
Science...At what cost?
March 13, 2024
Thanks to life (at Mason), which has given me so much
February 22, 2024
Lasting and future influence
February 7, 2024
A unique point of view for a better future
January 24, 2024
Exploring new frontiers: A Year to Remember
January 18, 2024
Fall 2023
Dean’s blog: Research and decision making to address the global climate crisis
December 6, 2024
Dean's Blog: Knowledge for Impact
November 1, 2024
Dean’s blog: Aerospace learning, research, and engagement: Mission Accomplished
October 25, 2024
Dean’s Blog – Mental health: It’s time we talk and do something about it
October 19, 2023
A promising research future for new frontiers
October 11, 2023
Understanding AI, the bigger picture, and ourselves
October 4, 2023
Rankings value access and growth – for all
September 27, 2023
Celebrating Mason Science’s Hispanic Heritage
September 20, 2023
Offering academic opportunities to get you there
September 13, 2023
Meeting students where they are to close all gaps
September 6, 2023
August 30, 2023
August 23, 2023
Summer 2023
Aspiring scientists immersed in meaningful STEM research at Mason
August 16, 2023
Discovering STEM pathways to 'get there'
August 2, 2030
Summertime Livin’ at Mason Science – Super busy, not easy
July 19, 2023
June 21, 2023
June 7, 2023
Welcome the travelers and the doers
May 24, 2023
Spring 2023
Transforming our future through water
May 9, 2023
Science Challenges Explained: ENERGY—The currency of the universe
April 12, 2023
Our quest for a healthy planet
April 5, 2023
Celebrating the accomplishments of our fellow Patriots
March 29, 2023
A bright future for Women in STEM
March 22, 2023
Our piece of the pie
March 15, 2023
Mason Science’s worldwide collaborations to solve global problems
March 6, 2023
Making a Difference through Meaningful Appreciation
March 1, 2023
You Can Succeed
February 22, 2023
Early career ASSIP research experiences set a success trajectory
February 15, 2023
Taking initiative — a key to STEM success
February 8, 2023
A shared focus and compassionate approach
February 1, 2023
Learn from leaders
January 25, 2023
Commitment to serve
January 18, 2023
Fall 2022
The Difference Makers: Resolution - Zero Hunger
December 14, 2022
Success is no accident
December 7, 2022
A culture of gratitude, civility, and kindness
November 30, 2022
Support for the unimaginable
November 16, 2022
Celebrating our People
November 9, 2022
Why partner with Mason Science?
November 2, 2022
We can stand strong together
October 26, 2022
Making progress
October 17, 2022
Time to plug in
October 11, 2022
Ciencia para todos
October 5, 2022
Finding your fit
September 29, 2022
Scientific history makers - What is our legacy?
September 21, 2022
Mason’s Role in the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative
September 14, 2022
Good Trouble
September 6, 2022
Patriot Pride - Green and Gold
August 30, 2022
Welcome back for the fall semester
August 24, 2022
Summer 2022
Making space history and launching student careers
Aug 17, 2022
July 27, 2022
July 14, 2022
Recent Supreme Court decisions and the need to engage
June 29, 2022
June 15, 2022
A collective exhale
June 1, 2022
Spring 2022
Forward together: facts, compassion, love, and action
May 18, 2022
Mason Science mentors foster an audacious, questioning mindset
May 11, 2022
Time to choose
May 4, 2022
Exciting STEM future as Mason's campuses expand
April 26, 2022
The race to save our planet
April 20, 2022
Celebrating Trailblazers
April 13, 2022
Mason Science On the Rise
April 6, 2022
Milestones to celebrate and help us grow
March 30, 2022
Promoting Hope and Taking Action
March 23, 2022
A new dawn and a new day
March 9, 2022
The history, art, and science of water scarcity
March 3, 2022
Cultivating a questioning mindset
February 23, 2022
Mentorship: Seek one. Be one.
February 16, 2022
Diversity: No Limits
February 9, 2022
Bright future for Mason Science research
February 2, 2022
Turn over a new leaf
January 26, 2022
Being resilient
January 19, 2022
Fall 2021
The gift – what did you do with your 365?
December 15, 2021
Recognition resolution
December 8, 2021
Keep scientific curiosity alive and well at Mason
December 1, 2021
Shaping our climate future
November 17, 2021
Taking our collective scientific success from Good to Great
November 10, 2021
Your voice matters – Ubuntu
November 3, 2021
It’s Mason’s time: Preparing the next great generation to save our future
October 26, 2021
Coded Bias prompts more inclusive science in society
October 20, 2021
Mason’s Climate Change Expertise – Let’s do what we can
October 13, 2021
In the ‘success business’ built on transparency, with opportunities to engage
October 5, 2021
Powerful Partnerships: FARO
September 29, 2021
Mason graduate students take science to the next level
September 22, 2021
Mentors and love of science spur lifelong climate advocacy
September 15, 2021
Traditions, Connections and Making Mason Memories
September 8, 2021
COVID-19 FDA Vaccine Approval - Mile 18
September 1, 2021
A sweet start to the semester
August 25, 2021
Summer 2021
MORE
August 8, 2021
Scientist selfies for a greater good
August 3, 2021
Transparency as a core culture value: more is always better
July 21, 2021
What is your new normal?
July 7, 2021
Living in historical times
June 23, 2021
Science PRIDE
June 9, 2021
The Marvels of Science (at Mason)
May 26, 2021
Spring 2021
Mason Impact; Be the change you want to see in the world
May 12, 2021
Proud of our team
May 5, 2021
What’s next?
April 28, 2021
It's award season
April 21, 2021
Not throwin’ away my shot
April 14, 2021
Time to Celebrate
April 7, 2021
Our promise
March 31, 2021
Springtime at Mason
March 24, 2021
A transformative year
March 17, 2021
Time to educate and act
March 10, 2021
Playing with a Dream Team
March 3, 2021
Juntos perseveramos
February 24, 2021
Scientific research impact and engagement takes much effort
Feb. 16, 2021
Understanding the past to build a brighter future
Feb. 3, 2021
Be well
Jan. 27, 2021
Biden administration presents significant opportunities for science
Jan. 20, 2021
Fall 2020
Catch your breath
Dec. 16, 2020
What does it take to be a top scientist?
Dec. 10, 2020
A culture of meaningful recognition
December 3, 2020
Making real Mason Moments that matter
November 19, 2020
Focus on your horizon
November 12, 2020
What are we learning from the election results?
November 5, 2020
Mandela quote of "Hope" helps us stay the course
October 22, 2020
College sponsors Dyslexic Edge Conference to spread awareness and champion STEM diversity
October 15, 2020
Sharing our science
October 7, 2020
Celebrating Hispanic heritage
September 24, 2020
Championing women in STEM at Mason
September 17, 2020
Science Instructional growth and creative engagement
September 9, 2020
Welcome to the fall 2020 semester, faculty and staff
August 24, 2020
New Science Dean tours research facilities
August 19, 2020