Two Mason Science faculty earn Jack Wood awards

Matt Rice is an associate professor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science (GGS) in the College of Science at George Mason and has been a City of Fairfax resident since 2008. He has forged connections between the GGS program and City staff to tackle complex projects. Rice advises George Mason students working on projects that involve the City and its programs. Last fall, Rice organized a GIS Day at George Mason that included speakers from the City, including Mayor Catherine Read, and faculty panelists to a standing-room-only crowd. Rice works to bring George Mason students and programs together with the City’s staff, boards, and projects to create opportunities for experiential learning and problem-solving. Those who have worked with Rice will attest to the positive outcomes he has coordinated over all these years.

Padmanabhan “Padhu” Seshaiyer is a professor and director in the Mathematical Sciences Department at George Mason. His dedication to K-12 STEM education, policy development, and education partnerships has significantly shaped Virginia’s educational landscape.

Seshaiyer is a regional leader in the K-12 STEM space. He’s the driving force behind the George Mason University College of Science and Pinnacle Academy Northern Virginia Science and Engineering Fair for Elementary and Middle School Students. This unique event annually hosts over 150 students from Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, and Washington, D.C. It brings together George Mason students and faculty, corporate partners, elementary and middle school educators, and students and their families to promote the awareness of STEM to solve real-world problems.

He also organizes and chairs MATHCOUNTS activities in the Northern Virginia area. MATHCOUNTS is a national middle school math enrichment program offering competition and club activities designed to foster an appreciation of math.

Seshaiyer spearheads professional development learning opportunities by fostering relationships between George Mason and statewide educational organizations and agencies. He holds multiple statewide positions, including as an appointed member of two different boards to the Office of the Governor (the VA STEM Advisory Board and the VA Workforce Development Board). He is an appointed member of the SCHEV AI-taskforce and a member of the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition. He helped to lead the Virginia Department of Education’s higher education task force for Data Science Standards and Implementation for Virginia.

He also serves as Discover Engineering (DiscoverE)’s board president. Under his leadership, DiscoverE has developed a strategic framework focusing on increasing interest, deepening knowledge, strengthening skills, and creating opportunities for students and their families in engineering.

Seshaiyer contributions have a lasting impact on the region’s educational system and beyond.