Faculty and Staff
College of Science Annual Report 2021-2022

2022 Celebration of Success recognizes and shows appreciation of all College of Science faculty and staff
Thank you for attending this year's celebration of success.

Opportunities
Dean's Student Excellence Awards open for applications
The Dean of the College of Science is opening, for applications, the annual award search to recognize excellence by students in the College of Science for the 2022-2023 academic year. In order to nominate a student, you should submit a one-page (double spaced) description of the activity/activities in which the student has demonstrated "excellence" that occurred during the 2022-2023 academic year. Please be sure to clearly identify which of the four awards each submission is for. In addition to the one-page description, please submit the student's resume/CV. These two items should be emailed to Cody Edwards (cedward7@gmu.edu) by the department chair or his/her designate no later than noon on March 24.

Apply for Learning Assistants for Fall 2023
We are now accepting course proposals to work with Learning Assistants (LAs) in Fall 2023! LAs are undergraduates who work in College of Science courses to facilitate student learning in a variety of settings. All first-time LAs participate in a weekly pedagogy seminar, and all LAs meet regularly with course faculty to prepare for the upcoming content in the course and discuss how everything is going with the students.
The deadline for faculty to apply to have LAs in their courses is Monday, April 3, 2023. After that, if your proposal is approved (which may be limited based on funding), students will be able to apply directly to your course, and you can interview and select the LAs for your course. The student application will open on or around April 11.

Inclusive STEM Teaching Project
The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project is a 6 week course designed to advance the awareness, self-efficacy, and the ability of faculty, postdocs, and doctoral students to cultivate inclusive STEM learning environments for all their students and to develop themselves as reflective, inclusive practitioners. The next session will run from March 6 through April 28. Register and learn more about the March 6 course here.

Stearns Center First Year Five
The First Year Five is program for new faculty run by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning. George Mason University has a deep commitment to inclusivity in all aspects of university life, and faculty’s work in designing and teaching courses is a fundamental aspect of that dedication. Stearns Center, with support from the ARIE Project, the Inclusive Excellence Council, and the Diversity Office, invites new faculty to join this endeavor, increasing their own capacities as teachers while building a network of like-minded peers across the university, starting in their very first weeks at Mason.

Resources
Spring 2023 Syllabus Guidance
The Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning continues to collaborate with units across campus to support you in whatever modality your teaching occurs this semester. We invite you to review our updated Syllabus Guidance information this spring. Even if you are familiar with most of Mason’s start-of-semester policies and procedures, we encourage you to take a few minutes to check this page for overviews and for links to updated course policies, technology guides, and resources.
Stearns Center First Year Five
The First Year Five is program for new faculty run by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning. George Mason University has a deep commitment to inclusivity in all aspects of university life, and faculty’s work in designing and teaching courses is a fundamental aspect of that dedication. Stearns Center, with support from the ARIE Project, the Inclusive Excellence Council, and the Diversity Office, invites new faculty to join this endeavor, increasing their own capacities as teachers while building a network of like-minded peers across the university, starting in their very first weeks at Mason.
Career Influencer Network
The Mason Career Influencers Network is a nationally recognized model for providing career development support to students through their relationships with professors, advisors, success coaches, supervisors, community directors, and many other roles at the university. Learn how to join.
Student Evaluations of Teaching
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning invites faculty to visit the Student Evaluations of Teaching (SET) website to learn more about the SET process and find answers to frequently asked questions.
Well-Being Resources
The Patriots Thriving Together website presents quick summaries of those resources, with links to learn more in-depth information on other Mason sites, such as The Center for the Advancement of Well-being. Discover which resources are most interesting and helpful for you. Get started now.
Faculty Study Leave
Some projects require extended time away from the university. Mason and the College of Science understand the importance of field research, writing, and study.
In the fall and spring semesters of each academic year, eligible term and tenured faculty at Mason are provided an opportunity to apply for a study leave to advance their scholarly research, teaching, and/or creative activity, including the development of innovative teaching approaches and methods. Leaves are for one semester at full pay and full benefits or an academic year at half pay that can be supplemented with sponsored project funding.
Addressing the Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses
Addressing the mental health crisis on college campuses: Practical strategies for higher education leaders
During the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem. In another national survey, almost three quarters of students reported moderate or severe psychological distress. The number of students seeking help at campus counseling centers increased almost 40% between 2009 and 2015, and continues to rise. Compared with past generations, we are seeing more students on campus today have accessed mental health treatment before college. Stigma around mental health issues also continues to drop, leading more people to seek help instead of suffering in silence. However, campus resources can be limited.
View these slides and watch this webinar to learn about strategies that can be applied by university leadership, administration, faculty, staff, frontline college health professionals, department level, campus level, student body, campus community, parents, etc.
Fast Facts
516
total faculty
57%
women and minority leadership
#180
best employer for diversity