On 17 September, 2020, George Mason University President Gregory Washington held a virtual Town Hall, the first time a president of George Mason University had visited George Mason University Korea in any capacity. The meeting was significant not only by it being the first meeting of its kind but also by shedding light on critical developments for the near and far future of Mason Korea.
To kick off the Town Hall, George Mason University Korea Campus Dean, Robert Matz, introduced President Washington as an “imaginative and creative program builder and problem-solver,” and throughout the two-hour meeting, this introduction proved fitting. Specifically, following this introduction, President Washington outlined both his vision of Mason Korea as well as potential solutions his office is exploring in addressing some of the issues currently plaguing Mason Korea. On this note, he said, “I don’t want to make it [Mason Korea] exactly like Fairfax… There are some unique aspects of Korea. I want to put our [George Mason] stamp on it.” However, he acknowledged that this vision has not yet fully been realized and thus he concluded his initial speech with “It begins with a conversation. It begins with engagement.”
Following his initial speech, President Washington took a myriad of questions from the audience. The questions asked were broadly put into two categories: educational accessibility and connecting the two campuses. On the first question, President Washington clarified he was willing to explore many options. One that was floated throughout the entire Town Hall would be to allow Mason Korea students to take online classes from Fairfax while remaining in Korea. Moreover, President Washington implored the Mason Korea leadership team to offer more degree programs that were “in line with the national GDP [of South Korea],” as he argued that is the most effective way for a young university to grow. On the issue of the connection between the two campuses, President Washington acknowledged that this had been an issue that has only been exacerbated by COVID-19. However, he confirmed that he and his office have already begun to actively explore options in the future, including the potential of a summer program as a “creative way to give you that [Fairfax] experience.” Additionally, President Washington confirmed that he and his office will provide more attention to the Korea campus, ensuring that he would try to host more virtual town Halls in the future to connect with the student body of Mason Korea.
While the virtual Town Hall with President Washington may not have resolved all the issues currently facing George Mason University Korea, it did provide something many felt had been missing for years: acknowledgment. The meeting acted as a critical first step in connecting the two campuses in a way never seen before. President Washington concluded, “I don’t think I can give you a bigger vision of [Mason Korea] than growing this campus and making it a hub for other satellite campuses in the future... It’s what’s best for our students. Honestly, it’s what’s best for our two countries.”
Written by Matthew Mandell | Managing Editor
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