For immediate release
July 27, 2018
Fairfax, Va. – George Mason University (Mason) announced today that it will serve as the lead institution for the Mid-Atlantic Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (Mid-Atlantic HERC). The Mid-Atlantic HERC, which is made up of 65 institutions in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., is dedicated to equity and excellence in higher education recruitment.
“The partnership with HERC is an exciting and unique opportunity for Mason," said Shernita Rochelle Parker, Acting Vice President, Human Resources & Payroll at Mason. "HERC’s mission aligns well with our strategic objectives and university values around the recruitment of diverse and inclusive talent.”
Prior to moving to Mason, the Mid-Atlantic HERC was housed at Loyola University Maryland, where the regional initiative launched in 2008.
Mason’s leadership role with the Mid-Atlantic HERC strengthens the university’s commitment to create an inclusive academic community that reflects the diversity of the National Capital Region. Through the partnership with HERC, the university has increased the percentage of faculty who identify as members of underrepresented groups to 20 percent. These efforts help further support the university’s commitment to students of diverse backgrounds.
The partnership also helps strengthen Mason’s commitment to veterans. Mason received the 2017 Military Friendly Gold Award, and College Factual ranked Mason 10th nationally as a top college for veterans. The university served as the first host of the Mid-Atlantic HERC’s Career Expo for veterans, transitioning military, and military spouses/partners, creating opportunities for veterans to explore careers in higher education.
Jessica Wise, Interim Executive Director of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, says of Mason’s new role as lead institution, “Mason joins the company of 15 colleges and universities that have taken their commitment to diversity and equity in the hiring and retention process to the next level by serving as regional lead institutions. Their dedication allows HERC to address regional issues head-on; reach out to and engage job seekers in their respective regions; and create a space for committed individuals to network outside of their institutions or systems. We are thrilled to count Mason as a lead regional institution and look forward to a fruitful and lasting partnership.”
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About George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 36,000 students from 130 countries and 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at gmu.edu.
About the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) - Founded in 2000, HERC is a nonprofit organization working to advance diversity and distinction in higher education. Through its 19 regional chapters, HERC serves over 700 institutions across the US. HERC brings together higher education decision-makers including Provosts, Diversity Officers, and Human Resources leaders with the greatest ability to impact equity, inclusion and opportunity for everyone through a purposeful and collaborative approach to recruiting and retaining exceptional professionals in higher education.
George Mason Media Contact:
Melanie Balog mbalog@gmu.edu
o: 703-993-8785 c: 843-708-2956
HERC Media Contact:
Jessica Wise jessica@hercjobs.org
c: 831-331-0507