Celebrating Julia Nord’s Career in STEM Education at George Mason University
Julia Nord, professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences at George Mason University, is retiring after more than three decades of dedicated service. Her work has left an enduring mark on STEM education and student success, both at George Mason and beyond.
A visionary in curriculum development and student support, Nord played a pivotal role in launching several transformative programs within the College of Science. Notably, she was instrumental in the creation of the STEM Accelerator, established in 2011 to increase the number of STEM majors and ease their transition into the workforce. Under her guidance, the program flourished, supporting initiatives such as the STEM Bridge Camp, which helps students transition from high school to college; mentored undergraduate research opportunities; and the undergraduate Learning Assistants program, which fosters peer mentoring and academic support.
Nord initiated and ran the Mason Annual Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show for more than 25 years, a joint, university-sponsored event with Northern Virginia Mineral club. This hands-on, interactive experience brings geology to life through exhibits and activities designed to ignite curiosity and inspire future geologists. Several hundred young scouts obtained their Badges / Pins / Loops in Geology through the Show. Her work, and those of many students taking GEOL 302, Mineralogy, was reciprocated by the donations of $10,000’s of gems, minerals and fossils enabling her to create a robust mineral collection, some of which is displayed in EXPL Hall.
In 2021, Nord and her colleagues secured a $1.2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Noyce Grant, aimed at increasing the number of STEM secondary educators. This initiative supports students from their undergraduate studies through the early stages of their teaching careers, emphasizing mentorship and professional development.
Throughout her tenure, Nord has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and service. In 2017, she received the George Mason Teaching Excellence Award for General Education, a testament to her commitment to student-centered learning. She really enjoys bringing meaningful, experiential, integrated, field opportunities to her students with the creation of new paths and vernal pools at The Clifton Institute, and working with the Forensic Science Department on the creation of the Forensic Science Research and Body farm.
“My journey at Mason has been rewarding; every day brings new experiences as I interact and learn from my peers, graduate and undergraduate students in many departments across campus. It hardly ever feels like ‘work’,” Nord said. “This position allowed me to create a successful life with two wonderful children. I'm happy to move onto this next step and leave the programs in the hands of fantastic, talented, younger faculty.”
Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. She went on to earn a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and a PhD in Earth and Environmental Science from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College. Her pursuit of interdisciplinary excellence also led her to complete a Master of Science in Business Administration at George Mason University.
As she begins her well-earned retirement, the College of Science extends its heartfelt appreciation to Nord for her unwavering dedication to empowering students, advancing STEM education, and shaping the future of scientific learning. She will move to North Carolina, spend time with her grandchildren, and enjoy the hiking and geology of the Appalachian Mountains.
