Robert Matz will assume his new position as dean at Mason Korea on Feb. 1. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services
George Mason’s Office of the Provost has announced the appointment of Robert Matz as dean of George Mason University Korea.
Matz recently served as the interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and will assume his new position in Korea on Feb. 1.
Matz will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of Mason Korea’s programs and operations in close coordination with Mason’s Fairfax Campus.
“Dr. Matz brings a commitment to excellence in research and teaching, extensive experience in managing curricular and faculty affairs and a strong working knowledge of university policies and practices to this role,” said Mason Provost S. David Wu.
Mason Korea is located in Songdo, South Korea, about 25 miles outside of Seoul. The satellite school offers undergraduate degrees, including accounting, computer game design, conflict analysis and resolution, global affairs and economics, among other programs. In 2018, 19 Mason Korea students graduated, with seven participating in the ceremony held in December at the Songdo campus officiated by Vice President of University Life Rose Pascarell.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming more and more Mason U.S. students and faculty to Mason Korea to see for themselves the intellectual and cultural opportunities our Korea campus offers,” said Matz. He said he also looks forward to increasing the number of courses and opportunities for students at Mason Korea.
All students based in Korea are expected to study at the Fairfax Campus for one year, and students based at the Fairfax Campus can choose to study for up to one year in Korea as part of their program. This spring semester, 40 students from Virginia will study at the Korea campus.
Matz has been a faculty member at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences since 1993 and has served as senior associate dean since 2013. Shannon Davis, director of graduate programs in sociology, will serve as interim senior associate dean for the college through mid-August 2019.
Matz is a professor of English with a focus on English Renaissance literature. He has published essays on Shakespeare and Renaissance poetry, as well as three books: “Defending Literature in Early Modern England,” “The World of Shakespeare’s Sonnets” and an edition of Renaissance sermons on married life.