Civic engagement and community service paved road to success for alumni legislators Wiley and McPike

As the saying goes “Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot,” and George Mason University is proud to have a large group of Patriots serving the Commonwealth of Virginia in the General Assembly.

George Mason’s General Assembly alumni include Majority Leader Delegate Charniele Herring (D-4), BA Economics ’93; Senators Jeremy McPike (D-29), BA Government and Politics ’97, MPA ’06; Stella Pekarsky (D-36), BA Government and Politics ’00, MEd ’03; Bryce Reeves (R-28), MPA ’99; Saddam Salim (D-37), BS Public Administration ’12, MPH ’15; and Glen Sturtevant (R-12), JD ’06; and Delegates Michael J. Webert (R-61), BA Communications ’10; and William “Bill” Wiley (R-32), BS Economics ’93, MEd ’98.

Majority Leader Herring and Senators Salim and Sturtevant were profiled in an article published earlier this year. Here is the second article in the series spotlighting Mason alumni in the legislature:

Bill Wiley

Delegate Bill Wiley represents Virginians in the City of Winchester and part of Frederick County. He’s been a member of the House of Delegates since 2020.

Wiley, a business development manager and associate real estate broker, credits his time at George Mason for preparing him for professional success and the university’s diversity for expanding his worldview.

“I graduated from a private high school and stepped into a different world [at George Mason],” he said. “Mason opened my eyes to all the great things our country offers. I met and became friends with many people of different backgrounds and cultures.”

He’s most proud of his work on the House Appropriations Committee during the 2024 General Assembly session, in which he championed a budget amendment that accelerated the timeline for construction projects on Interstate 81 in Winchester and Frederick County.

“I-81 is the main artery for traffic in my district. Without having this highway move traffic efficiently, our daily business and way of life would become stagnant,” he explained.

Civic engagement is a key element to Wiley’s personal and professional development. His path to the House of Delegates began with his service on the Winchester Planning Commission; he served on the board for five years and was chairman for three of those years. He also served on the Winchester City Council from 2014 to 2020, where he was vice president in 2015 and president in 2018.

He encourages fellow Patriots to explore community service. “You do not need to be a politician. Just do something that you are passionate about,” he said.

 “Civic engagement and community service will open doors to many opportunities and give you a sense of gratification,” Wiley said. “ You will make contacts and build relationships that will become lifelong connections, some invaluable.  Even better, it can enable your career ambitions to enhance your future success.”

Jeremy McPike

Senator Jeremy McPike represents Virginians in parts of Prince William and Stafford counties. He’s been a member of the Virginia Senate since 2016.

For several years, McPike served as a member of the welcome wagon duo greeting Mason students at the General Assembly as part of Mason Lobbies, the annual lobbying campaign spearheaded by the Student Government.

He said he is immensely proud of the university’s commitment to diversity, innovation, and excellence. George Mason also instilled in him a strong commitment to public service and community engagement. McPike has served the citizens of Dale City as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for 20 years with the Dale City Fire Department, where he is an assistant chief.

He’s proud of his work with colleagues across the political aisle during the 2024 General Assembly session to increase teacher pay, protect the environment, and prioritize public education.

Mental health is also a top priority for McPike and his constituents. During the 2024 session, he secured an additional $4.6 million in funding for the Prince William County Crisis Receiving Center to expand to youth services. “The youth of our county and surrounding areas can receive the critical mental health care services they deserve,” he said.

As McPike reflected on his time at George Mason, he emphasize for current and future George Mason students the importance of learning outside the classroom.

“Remember that your time at Mason is a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation for your future career and personal growth,” he said. “Actively engage your professors, participate in internships, and enjoy the vibrant campus life. Stay curious, be resilient, and always strive to make a positive impact in your community.”