On August 24, Mason Korea was proud to welcome the current university president, Gregory Washington, as he hosted an enlightening student town hall meeting. President Washington met with multiple groups of the Mason Korea community, including students, faculty, and leadership. The meeting took place to discuss many topics related to the university’s progress and ongoing initiatives, and inquisitive students were able to have their thoughts, questions, and concerns addressed by the leader of the home campus.
President Washington addressing questions from members of The Voice of GMUK directly
Photo Credit: Chris Siebentritt
The premise of President Washington’s presentation was not only to show students the exponential growth that both campuses have experienced throughout the past years but also to advise students and faculty on how to maximize their individual success at the university. To support this, the President presented the students with several interesting statistics: George Mason University is currently ranked #137 in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges and National Universities of the United States, 10th among public institutions, and 14th nationally in the Best Value Schools ranking of bachelor’s programs in sustainability.
Moreover, the most remarkable accomplishment was that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, George Mason University saw a steady rise in enrollment. In fact, the university has had an enrollment increase of approximately one-thousand students from Fall 2019 to Fall 2022, and the total enrollment currently sits at 39,143 students. Regarding the individual success of both students and faculty, President Washington discussed the graduation rate among students from different backgrounds and showcased the university’s tolerance of any student or faculty member, regardless of race, ethnicity, or personal background.
President Washington also expressed his ambition to unite the Fairfax and Korea campuses further and encourage more collaboration between faculty and students across both branches. He plans to promote more about Mason Korea as an overseas alternative for prospective Fairfax students to study among a diverse crowd. To facilitate these schemes, constant communication is essential between the two campuses. When asked how often the two campuses get in touch, Dean Matz shared with attendees that the Mason Korea administration is in contact with the Fairfax campus at least once a month, sometimes biweekly.
The overall reaction from the audience was overwhelmingly positive. President Washington brought an aura of hope and confidence for the university’s future which captivated the whole room. When it came time for the Q&A session, many young men and women were keen on asking questions regarding campus life and study opportunities on the Fairfax campus. And President Washington addressed each question affirmatively and honestly, making the askers confident with their answers.
Mason Korea is proud to support President Washington’s endeavor to connect the two campuses more than ever. Despite only an hour long, this town hall meeting was a stepping stone in bridging gaps in the wider Mason community. Moving forward, it is expected to see increased opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to study and conduct research across the United States and South Korea.
Written by Chris Siebentritt | Staff Writer
Revised by Yoonhye Cho | Managing Editor
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