Costello College of Business News

First-generation students and faculty bring a unique dedication and perspective to the George Mason University community. At Mason, 33 percent of students are first generation, meaning they are the first in their family to attend college or to complete a four-year degree. Here, a first-generation student, alumnus, and two faculty members share their stories.

Brett Josephson, assistant professor of marketing, has studied government contracting since he was a PhD student. In recently published research, Josephson—together with Ju-Yeon Lee, assistant professor of marketing at Iowa State University, and Babu John Mariadoss and Jean Lynn Johnson, associate professors of marketing at Washington State University—recommended that companies focus on specialization.

For the past 10 years, the School of Business has offered a freshman living learning community for first-year students, but this year the program expanded, welcoming undergraduate students from all classes and fields of study who are passionate about new business learning opportunities.

Steve Hale, BS Business Administration ’75, bequeathed approximately $890,000 to the School of Business to be used to create a collaborative learning and working space for business students.

George Mason University’s School of Business is committed to the active-duty military service members and veterans who come to Mason to enhance their education. Meet three recent graduates who have taken advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill as they share their reasons for attending Mason’s School of Business and their advice to others following in their footsteps.

Jean-Pierre (J.P) Auffret, director, research partnerships, School of Business has partnered with Angelos Stavrou, Professor, Computer Science and Director, Center for Assurance Research and Engineering in the Volgenau School and Virginia and West Virginia state and local governments to collaborate on cybersecurity and foster regional local government cybersecurity partnerships and initiatives.

The National Science Foundation (NSF)’s I-Corps program is an accelerator that helps entrepreneurs and researchers work together “to bring invention to impact.” Mason serves as an official I-Corps site, supporting local grantees through the exploratory stages of venture-building, as well as preparing them to apply for the national-level program.

George Mason University’s School of Business is offering a new five-month Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer program, which began this month and is designed for executives who want to take a deep dive into DEI efforts within corporations.

Management Department faculty Victoria Grady and MBA Candidate Tyece Wilkins research paper that examines the role of psychological contracts and the way they can hinder organizational change.