Schar School of Policy and Government

Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Schar School Assistant Professor Shea Holman Kilian as a member of the SCOTUS bar. The beneficiaries will be the students in the Jurisprudence Learning Community. See why.

New research led by Schar School Associate Professor Jennifer Victor challenges the common belief that low youth voter turnout stems from apathy. Working alongside undergraduate researchers over several election cycles, Victor found that young voters face logistical barriers—from multiple or temporary addresses to confusion about state-by-state rules—that make participation difficult, not undesirable.

A roundup of recent media appearances by Schar School faculty, students, and staff for Schar School in the News: November 17th to 21st, 2025.

Virginia is currently facing a number of energy issues, particularly with the rising costs and an increasing inability to meet consumer and climate demands. David Ramadan and guest co-host Dr. Michael Webb unpack how to take care of these problems before it is too late with Hon. Glenn Davis, Director of the Virginia Department of Energy.

Despite countless frictions and hurdles, the 2025 election results swung in favor of the Democratic Party. How did they manage to do this, and what could it mean for the country? David Ramadan answers these questions with Kyle Kondik and J. Miles Coleman from Sabato’s Crystal Ball, one of the most respected election forecasting teams in the country. Together, they take a closer look at the winners (and losers) of the election, particularly in Virginia and New Jersey, to determine how this will shape the 2026 cycle. They also unpack the most surprising things about the 2025 elections, particularly the shifting political winds in key states, as well as how the government shutdown impacted voter turnout.

Julie Hudson, executive assistant to Dean Mark J. Rozell at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, played an integral role in maintaining the school’s operations during the pandemic and has demonstrated exceptional flexibility as her position evolved over the years. For her leadership and outstanding work ethic, Hudson is being recognized as the December Employee of the Month.

As a principal architect of the incoming administration’s transition, Schar School Professor of Practice David Ramadan will play a pivotal role in ensuring Governor-elect Spanberger and Lieutenant Governor-elect Hashmi are fully prepared to govern from the moment they take the oath on Inauguration Day.

George Mason’s Virginia Climate Center (VCC) has unveiled the commonwealth’s first comprehensive, peer-reviewed climate assessment—a landmark report that provides science-based insights into Virginia’s changing climate and its impacts on communities, infrastructure, and the economy.

What happened around the state on Election Day 2025? Who won and why? Schar School veteran politicians Terry McAuliffe and David Ramadan took the Fuse stage to explain it all.

The Schar School hosted its flagship “15 Minutes with POTUS” competition, drawing exceptional undergraduates from universities nationwide to Mason Square for a high-pressure national security briefing simulation. Featuring distinguished judges and extensive professional development opportunities, the event highlights the school’s commitment to preparing future leaders for real-world policymaking.