View source for George Mason University

{{Short description|Public university in Fairfax County, Virginia, US}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = George Mason University
 | image                  = George Mason University seal.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.6
 | motto                  = "Freedom and Learning"
 | established            = {{start date and age|1949}}<ref name="Finley" />
 | founder                = [[Virginia General Assembly]]
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | accreditation          = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area|CUWMA]]| [[Oak Ridge Associated Universities|ORAU]] | [[State Council of Higher Education for Virginia|SCHEV]]|[[National Sea Grant College Program|Sea-grant]]}}
 | former_names           = Northern Virginia University Center of the University of Virginia (1949–1956)<br>University College of the University of Virginia (1956–1959)<br>George Mason College of the University of Virginia (1959–1972)
 | endowment              = $257.6 million (2025)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2025-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2025 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2025 Endowment Market Value |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 20, 2026 |format=XLSX}}</ref>
 | president              = [[Gregory Washington]]<ref>{{cite news |title=George Mason selects dean of UC-Irvine engineering school as its next president |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/02/24/george-mason-selects-dean-uc-irvine-engineering-school-its-next-president/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=March 16, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
 | provost                = Ajay Vinzé (interim)
 | rector                 = Michael J. Meese
 | academic_staff         = 2,133 (Fall 2023)<ref name="frb1-facu">{{cite web |url=https://oiep.gmu.edu/resources/fast-facts/mason-facts-and-figures-2023-2024/#facu |title=Mason Facts and Figures 2023-2024: Faculty |publisher=George Mason University |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref>
 | students               = 39,763 (Fall 2024)<ref name="frb1">{{cite web |url=https://oiep.gmu.edu/resources/fast-facts/mason-facts-and-figures-2024-2025/ |title=Mason Facts and Figures 2023–2024: Fall 2023 Enrollment and Student Profile (US Campus Only) |publisher=George Mason University |access-date=May 14, 2025 }}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 27,160 (Fall 2023)<ref name="frb1"/>
 | postgrad               = 11,804 (Fall 2023)<ref name="frb1"/>
 | city                   = [[George Mason, Virginia]]
 | country                = US
 | coor                   = {{Coord|38.831|-77.308|type:edu_region:US-VA|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = Large suburb
 | campus_size            = {{convert|953|acre|ha}} (Fairfax / [[George Mason, Virginia]]), {{convert|1148|acre|ha}} total
 | free_label             = Location of campuses
 | free                   = {{hlist|[[Fairfax, Virginia|Fairfax City]]/[[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax County]]|[[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]]|[[Front Royal, Virginia|Front Royal]]|[[Prince William County, Virginia|Prince William]]|[[Lorton, Virginia|Lorton]]|[[Incheon]], South Korea}}<ref name="ifez1">{{Cite news |last=Sang |first=Youn-joo |title=IFEZ Rises as Global Investment Center |work=[[The Korea Herald]] |location=Seoul, Korea |access-date=September 26, 2015 |date=May 14, 2015 |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150514000742}}</ref><ref name=ifex2>{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Rahn |title=8 in 10 International School Students in Korea Are Koreans |work=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=September 26, 2015 |date=February 11, 2015 |url=http://www.koreatimesus.com/8-in-10-international-school-students-in-korea-are-koreans/ |archive-date=October 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023140755/http://www.koreatimesus.com/8-in-10-international-school-students-in-korea-are-koreans/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 | colors                 = {{color box|#006633}} Green<br>{{color box|#FFCC33}} Gold<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ocm.gmu.edu/mason-brand/visual-identity-and-style/color |title=Color |publisher=George Mason University Office of Communication and Marketing |website=The George Mason University Brand Profile |access-date=June 7, 2021 }}</ref>
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[NCAA Division I]] – [[Atlantic 10 Conference|A-10]]|[[Eastern College Athletic Conference|ECAC]]|[[Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association|EIVA]]|[[IC4A]]|[[Mid-American Conference|MAC]]–wrestling}}
 | sports_nickname        = [[George Mason Patriots|Patriots]]
 | mascot                 = The Patriot
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.gmu.edu/|gmu.edu}}
 | logo                   = George_Mason_University_Logo_2024.png
 | logo_upright           = 1.05
 | free_label2            = Media
 | free2                  = ''[[Fourth Estate (George Mason University newspaper)|Fourth Estate]]'' (newspaper) <br />
[[WGMU Radio]] (radio station)
}}

'''George Mason University''' ('''GMU''')<!-- foreign language name should not be inserted unless the subject is **closely** associated with the subject, see [[MOS:LEADLANG]] --> is a [[Public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[Fairfax County, Virginia]], United States. Located in [[Northern Virginia]] near [[Washington, D.C.]], the university is named in honor of [[George Mason]], a [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father of the United States]].<ref>{{cite web|website=Mason Spirit|last=Rich|first=Colleen Kearney|title=From the Archives: What's in a Name?|url=http://spirit.gmu.edu/2012/04/from-the-archives-whats-in-a-name/}}</ref>

The university was founded in 1949 as a northern branch of the [[University of Virginia]]. It became an independent university in 1972, and it has since grown into the largest public university in Virginia by student enrollment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 1956 |title=Commonwealth of Virginia: House Joint Resolution #5, February 24, 1956. |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/items/show/18 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |website=A History of George Mason University |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805183859/https://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/items/show/18 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About George Mason University: A History |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/about |access-date=January 8, 2020 |website=A History of George Mason University|archive-date=January 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131081802/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/about |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Finley">{{Cite book |last=Finley |first=John Norville Gibson |url=http://digilib.gmu.edu/jspui/bitstream/handle/1920/2698/Mann_53_1_1_v.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title=Progress Report of the Northern Virginia University Center |date=July 1, 1952 |quote="The report that follows is a progress report on the Northern Virginia University Center since its beginnings in 1949 by its Local Director, Professor J. N. G. Finley." George B. Zehmer, Director Extension Division University of Virginia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220225740/http://digilib.gmu.edu/jspui/bitstream/handle/1920/2698/Mann_53_1_1_v.pdf |archive-date=February 20, 2017}}</ref> It has expanded into a [[residential college]] for [[traditional student]]s while maintaining its historic [[Commuting|commuter student]]-inclusive environment at both [[Undergraduate education|undergraduate]] and [[Postgraduate education|post-graduate]] levels, with an emphasis on combining modern professional education with a traditional [[Liberal arts education|liberal arts]] curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |work=Universidad Carlos III de Madrid ([[Charles III University of Madrid]]) and George Mason University |title=George Mason University – Guide to International Students |url=https://www.uc3m.es/secretaria-virtual/media/secretaria-virtual/doc/archivo/doc_une_george-mason-guidebook/student_guidebook.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fonseca, Ed. |first=James W. |title=Higher Education for Adults: Non-Traditional Paths |url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED287426.pdf |website=[[United States Department of Education]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Steele |first=Clarence A. |title=Clarence A. Steele to Colgate W. Darden, Jr., April 4, 1949 |date=April 4, 1949}}</ref>

The university operates four campuses; the flagship campus is in the [[Fairfax, Virginia]], area.<ref name=GMCDPmap>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st51_va/place/p5130618_george_mason/DC20BLK_P5130618.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: George Mason CDP, VA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=April 8, 2021|access-date=July 1, 2025}}</ref> Its other three campuses are in [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington]], [[Front Royal, Virginia|Front Royal]], and [[Prince William County, Virginia|Prince William County]]. It also operates a [[Retreat (spiritual)|retreat]] and [[Convention center|conference center]] in [[Lorton, Virginia|Lorton]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Retreat Facility |url=https://carterschool.gmu.edu/retreat-facility |access-date=May 26, 2023 |website=Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution |language=en}}</ref> and an international campus in [[Incheon]], South Korea. It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".<ref>{{cite web |date=2019 |title=Carnegie Classification |url=http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=232186 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |publisher=[[Indiana University]]}}</ref> Two of the university's professors have received the [[Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics]]: [[James M. Buchanan]] in 1986 and [[Vernon L. Smith]] in 2002.<ref>[http://walterewilliams.com/another-nobel-laureate/ Another Nobel Laureate] Walter E. Williams, GMU, Department of Economics, October 14, 2002</ref>

==History==

===20th century===
In 1949, the University of Virginia created an extension center to serve  mid-career working [[professional]]s and [[Nontraditional student|non-traditional students]] near urban centers in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Citation |last=Steele |first=Clarence A. |title=Clarence A. Steele to Colgate W. Darden, Jr., April 4, 1949 |date=April 4, 1949}}</ref><ref name="Finley" /> The extension center offered both for credit and non-credit informal classes in the evenings at various pre-existing venues.<ref name="Finley" />{{rp|5}} The first for credit classes offered were: "Government in the Far East, Introduction to International Politics, English Composition, Principles of Economics, Mathematical Analysis, Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, and Principles of Lip Reading."<ref name="Finley" /> By the end of 1952, enrollment was 1,192 students.<ref name="Finley" />

[[File:George Mason.jpg|thumb|left|170px|[[George Mason]], a [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Father of the United States]] and the university's namesake]]
A resolution of the [[Virginia General Assembly]] in January 1956 changed the extension center into University College, the [[Northern Virginia]] branch of the [[University of Virginia]].<ref name="autogenerated1919">{{Cite book |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-329-31719-2 |last=Anderson |first=Keith |title=The Los Angeles State Normal School, UCLA's Forgotten Past: 1881–1919 |date=August 29, 2015}}{{rp|158}}{{self-published source|date=February 2020}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}} John Norville Gibson Finley served as director.<ref>{{Citation |last=Teachman |first=A. Ellis |title=Photograph: J.N.G. Finley |date=September 6, 2007 |url=http://mars.gmu.edu/handle/1920/2712 |access-date=December 10, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073730/http://mars.gmu.edu/handle/1920/2712 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Seventeen freshmen students attended classes at University College in a small renovated elementary school building in [[Bailey's Crossroads]] starting in September 1957.<ref name="Cristian2009">{{Cite thesis |publisher=Catholic University of America |last=Cristian |first=Viviana |title=Who are We?: Cultural Identity Among Latino College Students in Northern Virginia |location=Washington, DC |date=2009 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/304858005/FC4D3905D50541C5PQ/ |id={{ProQuest| 304858005}}}}</ref>{{rp|24}} In 1958 University College became George Mason College.<ref name="autogenerated1919" />

The [[Fairfax, Virginia|City of Fairfax]] purchased and donated {{convert|150|acre|ha|abbr=off|round=5}} of land just south of the city limits to the University of Virginia for the college's new site, which is now referred to as the [[George Mason University Fairfax Campus|Fairfax Campus]]. In 1959, the [[Board of Visitors]] of the University of Virginia selected a permanent name for the college: George Mason College of the University of Virginia. The Fairfax campus construction planning that began in early 1960 showed visible results when the development of the first {{convert|40|acre|ha|abbr=off}} of Fairfax Campus began in 1962. In the Fall of 1964 the new campus welcomed 356 students.<ref>{{Cite book |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-329-31719-2 |last=Anderson |first=Keith |title=The Los Angeles State Normal School, UCLA's Forgotten Past: 1881–1919 |date=August 29, 2015}}{{rp|185}}{{self-published source|date=February 2020}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}

In 1966, in the [[Virginia General Assembly]], [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]] delegate [[James M. Thomson (Virginia politician)|James M. Thomson]], with the backing of the University of Virginia, introduced a bill in the General Assembly to make George Mason College a four-year institution under the University of Virginia's direction. The measure, known as H 33,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/items/show/98 |title=A History of George Mason University – Acts of Assembly, Chapter 68 [H33] Article 8. George Mason College, March 1, 1966. |work=gmu.edu |date=March 1966 |access-date=April 6, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305041019/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/items/show/98 |url-status=dead }}</ref> passed the Assembly easily and was approved on March 1, 1966, making George Mason College a degree-granting institution. During that same year, the local jurisdictions of [[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax County]], [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington County]], and the cities of [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]] and [[Falls Church, Virginia|Falls Church]] agreed to appropriate $3 million to purchase land adjacent to Mason to provide for a {{convert|600|acre|ha|abbr=off|adj=on}} Fairfax Campus with the intention that the institution would expand into a regional university of major proportions, including the granting of graduate degrees.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

In 1972, Virginia separated George Mason College from the [[University of Virginia]] in [[Charlottesville, Virginia|Charlottesville]] and renamed it George Mason University.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/independence/contents/independence |title=A History of George Mason University – 1972–1978: Independence : Independence, April 7, 1972 |work=gmu.edu |access-date=April 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208155536/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/independence/contents/independence |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1978, [[George W. Johnson (academic)|George W. Johnson]] was appointed to serve as the fourth president.<ref name="Johnson Obit" /> Under his eighteen-year tenure, the university expanded both its physical size and program offerings at a tremendous rate.<ref name="Johnson Obit">{{cite news |first=T. Rees |last=Shapiro |title=George W. Johnson, college president who transformed GMU, dies at 88 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/george-w-johnson-college-president-who-transformed-gmu-dies-at-88/2017/06/03/473a9fe2-4875-11e7-bcde-624ad94170ab_story.html |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=June 3, 2017 |access-date=June 24, 2017}}</ref><ref name="gmupres">{{cite news |title=Office of the President: Mason's Presidents |url=https://president.gmu.edu/masons-presidents/ |work=George Mason University |access-date=June 24, 2017 |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723053655/http://president.gmu.edu/masons-presidents/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shortly before Johnson's inauguration in April 1979, Mason acquired the [[George Mason University School of Law|School of Law]] and the new Arlington Campus. The university also became a doctoral institution.<ref name="Johnson Obit" /> Toward the end of Johnson's term, Mason would be deep in planning for a third campus in [[Prince William County, Virginia|Prince William County]] at [[Manassas, VA|Manassas]]. Major campus facilities, such as Student Union Building II, [[EagleBank Arena]], Center for the Arts, and the Johnson Learning Center, were all constructed over the course of Johnson's eighteen years as University President. Enrollment once again more than doubled from 10,767 during the fall of 1978 to 24,368 in the spring of 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/prominence/contents/introduction |title=A History of George Mason University – 1978–1996: Emergence : Introduction |work=gmu.edu |access-date=April 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208155642/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/prominence/contents/introduction |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1996, [[Alan Merten]], dean of the [[Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management]] at [[Cornell University]] was appointed the university's president. He believed that the university's location made it responsible for both contributing to and drawing from its surrounding communities—local, national, and global. George Mason was becoming recognized and acclaimed in all of these spheres. During Merten's tenure, the university hosted the [[World Congress on Information Technology (2019)|World Congress of Information Technology]] in 1998,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wcit2014.org/history/ |title=History |work=WCIT |access-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-date=August 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821093357/http://wcit2014.org/history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> celebrated a second [[Nobel Memorial Prize]]-winning faculty member in 2002, and cheered the [[George Mason Patriots#Men's Basketball|Men's basketball]] team in their [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Final Four (college basketball)|Final Four]] appearance in 2006. Enrollment increased from just over 24,000 students in 1996 to approximately 33,000 during the spring semester of 2012, making Mason Virginia's largest public university.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/presence/contents/introduction |title=A History of George Mason University – 1996–2012: Prominence : Introduction |work=gmu.edu |access-date=April 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208162350/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/presence/contents/introduction |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===21st century===
Following Merten's retirement in 2012, [[Ángel Cabrera (academic)|Ángel Cabrera]] was appointed the university's sixth president on July 1, 2012.

In a resolution on August 17, 2012, the board asked Cabrera to create a new strategic vision that would help Mason remain relevant and competitive in the future. The drafting of the Vision for Mason, from conception to official outline, created a new [[mission statement]] that defines the university.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vision.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MasonVision.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919025551/http://vision.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MasonVision.pdf |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |url-status=live |title=Mason Vision |website=vision.gmu.edu}}</ref>

On March 25, 2013, Cabrera held a press conference to announce the university's decision to leave the [[Colonial Athletic Association]] to join the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]] (A-10). The announcement came just days after the Board of Visitors' approval of the university's vision document that Cabrera had overseen. Mason began competition in the A-10 during the 2013–2014 academic year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/vision/contents/a10 |title=A History of George Mason University – 2012–present: Vision : Mason Moves from the Colonial Athletic Association to the Atlantic 10 Conference |work=gmu.edu |access-date=April 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208163010/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/vision/contents/a10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]'' listed Mason as one of the "Great Colleges to Work For" from 2010 to 2014.<ref name="GreatColleges">{{cite web |title=Great Colleges to Work For |publisher=The Chronicle of Higher Education |url=http://chroniclegreatcolleges.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014-Colleges-Recognized-by-Enrollment-Size-and-Category.pdf |website=chroniclegreatcolleges.com |access-date=April 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709034100/http://chroniclegreatcolleges.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014-Colleges-Recognized-by-Enrollment-Size-and-Category.pdf|archive-date=July 9, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' listed Mason as one of the "Top Workplaces" in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Workplaces 2014 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-tran/capital-business/top-workplaces |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621193429/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-tran/capital-business/top-workplaces |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 21, 2014 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:George Mason College, decal, ca. 1970.jpg|thumb|Decal of George Mason College]]The WorldatWork Alliance for Work-Life Progress awarded Mason the Seal of Distinction in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=WorldatWork |url=http://www.worldatwork.org/waw/adimLink?id=78343 |website=www.worldatwork.org |access-date=April 24, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150318180954/http://www.worldatwork.org/waw/adimLink?id=78343|archive-date = March 18, 2015|url-status = dead }}</ref> The [[AARP]] listed Mason as one of the Best Employers for Workers Over 50 in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Employers – George Mason University, Life Planning Seminars for 50-plus Workers |url=http://www.aarp.org/work/2013-aarp-best-employers/george-mason-university-aarp-best-employers/ |access-date=April 24, 2015 |publisher=AARP}}</ref> [[Phi Beta Kappa]] established a chapter at the university in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Phi Beta Kappa, Here We Come!|url=https://www2.gmu.edu/news/1093|access-date=October 27, 2020|website=George Mason University|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031184530/https://www2.gmu.edu/news/1093|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2018, a [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|Freedom of Information Act]] lawsuit revealed that conservative donors, including the [[Charles Koch Foundation]] and [[Federalist Society]], were given direct influence over faculty hiring decisions at the university's law and economics schools. GMU President Ángel Cabrera acknowledged that the revelations raised questions about the university's academic integrity and pledged to prohibit donors from sitting on faculty selection committees in the future.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/us/koch-donors-george-mason.html |title=What Charles Koch and Other Donors to George Mason University Got for Their Money |first1=Erica L. |last1=Green |first2=Stephanie |last2=Saul |work=The New York Times |date=May 5, 2018 |via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

Cabrera resigned his position on July 31, 2019, to become president of [[Georgia Tech]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stirgus|first=Eric|date=June 13, 2019|title=Ga. Board of Regents hires Ángel Cabrera to lead Georgia Tech|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/just-board-regents-hires-angel-cabrera-lead-georgia-tech/FXemE23fUu1j2mpH3MNPPO/|access-date=June 26, 2020|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Nick|date=June 20, 2019|title=Anne Holton named George Mason U. interim president|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/06/20/anne-holton-named-george-mason-u-interim-president/|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Following Cabrera's resignation, [[Anne Holton|Anne B. Holton]] served as interim president until June 30, 2020.<ref name=":0" />

On February 24, 2020, the Board of Visitors appointed [[Gregory Washington]] as the university's eighth president, and he assumed that role on July 1, 2020. Washington is the university's first African-American president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.gmu.edu/news/583236|title=Gregory Washington named George Mason University's eighth president &#124; George Mason|website=www2.gmu.edu}}</ref>

On March 23, 2020, George Mason shifted to exclusively online instruction during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia|COVID-19 pandemic]]. Hybrid instruction occurred during the Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Fall 2021 semesters during which the university offered a combination of online and in-person instruction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.gmu.edu/coronavirus|title=Are Classes being held?|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802153430/https://www2.gmu.edu/coronavirus|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Mild unrest occurred on George Mason's campus in the aftermath of the [[October 7, 2023 attack]] of [[Hamas]] on [[Israel]] and the resulting [[Gaza war|war]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Message about Tuesday event on campus |url=https://president.gmu.edu/news/2023-11/message-about-tuesday-event-campus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723031351/https://president.gmu.edu/news/2023-11/message-about-tuesday-event-campus |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=December 9, 2024 |website=Office of the President |publisher=George Mason University |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Statements denouncing [[antisemitism]] and [[Islamophobia]] were made by the Office of the President.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2023 |title=Statement on President's Patriot Plan for Community Safety and Well-Being |url=https://president.gmu.edu/news/2023-11/statement-presidents-patriot-plan-community-safety-and-well-being |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105223144/https://president.gmu.edu/news/2023-11/statement-presidents-patriot-plan-community-safety-and-well-being |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |access-date=December 9, 2024 |website=Office of the President |publisher=George Mason University |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2023 |title=Denouncing Islamophobia |url=https://president.gmu.edu/news/2023-11/denouncing-islamophobia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220220310/https://president.gmu.edu/news/2023-11/denouncing-islamophobia |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=December 9, 2024 |website=Office of the President |publisher=George Mason University |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> An encampment on nearby [[George Washington University]]'s campus was organized in part by George Mason students.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenzweig-Ziff |first=Dan |date=December 8, 2024 |title=Campus ban for two pro-Palestinian activists sparks outcry at George Mason |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/12/08/george-mason-university-pro-palestinian-activists/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209144322/https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/12/08/george-mason-university-pro-palestinian-activists/ |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |access-date=December 9, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |quote="George Mason was one of many campuses that experienced a wave of protests after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel and the resulting war. Three people were detained but not arrested in November 2023 after an altercation at a protest. In the spring demonstrations — which brought some schools across the country to a halt and led to the arrest of thousands of students — some pro-Palestinian students from George Mason helped organize a regional encampment at George Washington University to call for that school to cut ties with Israel. This fall, messages voicing support for Hamas have intensified on some campuses."}}</ref>

In August 2025, the Department of Education issued a press release claiming that the university had "violated Title VI by illegally using race and other immutable characteristics in university practices and policies, including hiring and promotion" in the name of "diversity, equity and inclusion."<ref>U.S. Department of Education, “U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Finds George Mason University Has Violated Title VI,” August 22, 2025, https://web.archive.org/web/20250822142040/https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-educations-office-civil-rights-finds-george-mason-university-has-violated-title-vi.</ref>

==Campuses==
{{Location map+ | USA Virginia Northern
| caption =
| places =
  {{Location map~ | USA Virginia Northern
    | label =Fairfax
    | position =bottom
    | lat_deg =38.8316341
    | lon_deg =-77.3110481
    }}
  {{Location map~ | USA Virginia Northern
    | label =Arlington
    | position = left
    | lat_deg =38.8852052
    | lon_deg =-77.1024739
    }}
  {{Location map~ | USA Virginia Northern
    | label =Science{{nbsp}}and Technology
    | position =left
    | lat_deg =38.7562587
    | lon_deg =-77.5235441
    }}
  {{Location map~ | USA Virginia Northern
    | label =Smithsonian{{nbh}}Mason School{{nbsp}}of{{nbsp}}Conservation
    | position =top
    | lat_deg =38.8872578
    | lon_deg =-78.1657575
    }}
}}
George Mason University has four campuses in the United States, each of which is located in Virginia.<ref name="distributedcampusmodel" /> Three are in the [[Northern Virginia]] suburbs of the [[Washington metropolitan area]], and one is in Virginia's [[Blue Ridge Mountains]].<ref name="distributedcampusmodel" /> The university also has one campus in South Korea, in the [[Songdo International Business District]] of [[Incheon]].<ref>{{cite act |number=23.1–1504 |year=2016 |url=http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title23.1/chapter15/section23.1-1504/}}</ref><ref name="distributedcampusmodel">{{cite web |url=http://provostblog.gmu.edu/archives/215 |title=Distributed Campuses |author=Office of the Provost, George Mason University |work=gmu.edu|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304233129/http://provostblog.gmu.edu/archives/215|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Between 2005 and 2009 the university had a campus at [[Ras al-Khaimah]], [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref name="Ras al Khaym">{{Cite news |last=Lewin |first=Tamar |date=February 28, 2009 |title=George Mason University, Among First With an Emirates Branch, Is Pulling Out |newspaper=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/education/01campus.html |access-date=December 22, 2015}}</ref> The Blue Ridge campus, just outside Front Royal, is run in cooperation with the [[Smithsonian Institution]].<ref name="factsheet" />

===Fairfax===
The university's primary Fairfax Campus is situated on {{Convert|677|acre|ha|abbr=off}} in central [[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax County]].<ref>George Mason University Campuses https://www.gmu.edu/about/campuses</ref> The campus lies just south of the [[Fairfax, Virginia|City of Fairfax]], and approximately {{Convert|20|miles|km}} from [[Washington, D.C.]].{{efn |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shuttle.gmu.edu/ |title=Mason Shuttles |website=gmu.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fairfaxva.gov/CUEBus/CUEBus.asp |access-date=February 5, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617025457/http://www.fairfaxva.gov/CUEBus/CUEBus.asp |archive-date=June 17, 2013 |title=CUE Bus System}}</ref>}} The City of Fairfax covers a small piece of the university grounds.<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/DC20BLK/st51_va/place/p5126496_fairfax/DC20BLK_P5126496.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Fairfax city, VA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=April 13, 2021|page=1 (PDF p. 2/3)|access-date=July 1, 2025}}</ref> 

Notable buildings include the {{Convert|320000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} student union building, the Johnson Center; the Center for the Arts, a 2,000-seat concert hall; the {{Convert|180000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Long and Kimmy Nguyen Engineering Building; Exploratory Hall for science, new in 2013; an astronomy observatory and telescope; the {{Convert|88900|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Art and Design Building; the newly expanded Fenwick Library,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://facilities.gmu.edu/projects/view-project.cfm?customel_dataPageID_2336=2453 |title=View a Project :: Facilities :: George Mason University |website=gmu.edu|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005504/http://facilities.gmu.edu/projects/view-project.cfm?customel_dataPageID_2336=2453|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study|Krasnow Institute]]; and three fully appointed gyms and an aquatic center for student use.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://recreation.gmu.edu/ |title=Recreation – George Mason University |website=gmu.edu}}</ref> The stadiums for indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, softball, tennis, soccer and lacrosse are also on the Fairfax campus,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205054675&DB_OEM_ID=25200&DB_OEM_ID=25200%7ctitle=Facilities%7cwork=gomason.com |title=Facilities |website=gomason.com |access-date=August 5, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022956/http://www.gomason.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205054675&DB_OEM_ID=25200&DB_OEM_ID=25200%7Ctitle%3DFacilities%7Cwork%3Dgomason.com |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> as is Masonvale, a housing community for faculty, staff and graduate students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.masonvale.com/fairfax-va-apartments.asp |title=Masonvale Apartments &#124; Faculty & Staff Housing in Fairfax VA |website=Masonvale.com |access-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref>

====George Mason statue and Enslaved People of George Mason Memorial====
The bronze statue of [[George Mason]] on campus{{efn|another bronze statue of George Mason can be found at the [[George Mason Memorial]] in Washington, D.C.}} was created by Wendy M. Ross and dedicated on April 12, 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statue – Fairfax Campus – The Mason Explorer – George Mason University Campus Map |url=http://eagle.gmu.edu/map/buildings/statue.php |website=eagle.gmu.edu |access-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908231116/http://eagle.gmu.edu/map/buildings/statue.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 7{{sfrac|1|2}} foot statue shows George Mason presenting his first draft of the [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]] which was later the basis for the U.S. Constitution's [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]]. Beside Mason is a model of a writing table that is still in the study of [[Gunston Hall, Virginia|Gunston Hall]], Mason's Virginia estate. The books on the table, volumes of [[David Hume|Hume]], [[John Locke|Locke]], and [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau|Rousseau]], represent influences in his thought.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pastandpresent.gmu.edu/items/show/16 | title=George Mason Statue – Mason's Beloved Landmark }}</ref>

In 2021, an Enslaved People of George Mason Monument designed by Perkins & Will was installed near the George Mason Statue.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gmu.edu/news/2022-04/enslaved-people-george-mason-memorial-dedicated-landmark-day-university | title=The Enslaved People of George Mason Memorial is dedicated in 'a landmark day for the university' }}</ref> The memorial includes panels describing the lives of two of the enslaved at [[Gunston Hall]]: Penny, who was gifted by Mason to his daughter, and James, Mason's personal attendant.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dei.chss.gmu.edu/about/enslaved-people-of-george-mason | title=The Enslaved People of George Mason Project }}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

===Arlington===
{{Further|Institute for Humane Studies|Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution|Mercatus Center|Schar School of Policy and Government}}
[[File:George Mason University - Arlington (14286906476).jpg|thumb|George Mason's Arlington Campus]]
The Arlington Campus, named Mason Square in 2022,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gmu.edu/news/2022-03/mason-square-will-be-arlingtons-economic-development-epicenter | title=Mason Square will be Arlington's economic development epicenter }}</ref> is situated on {{convert|5.2|acres|ha|abbr=off}} in [[Virginia Square, Virginia|Virginia Square]], an urban environment on the edge of [[Arlington County, Virginia]]'s [[Clarendon, Arlington, Virginia|Clarendon]] business district and {{convert|4|miles|km|spell=in}} from downtown Washington, D.C. The campus was founded in 1979 with the acquisition of a law school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/prominence/contents/schooloflaw |title=A History of George Mason University – 1978–1996: Emergence : The Law School Battle...and Triumph |website=gmu.edu |access-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703210418/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/prominence/contents/schooloflaw |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1998, Hazel Hall opened to house the [[Antonin Scalia Law School]]; subsequent development created Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall), home of the [[Schar School of Policy and Government]],<ref name="spgia.gmu.edu">{{cite web |url=http://spgia.gmu.edu/ |title=School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref> the Center for Regional Analysis,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cra.gmu.edu/ |title=Center for Regional Analysis |website=gmu.edu |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref> and the graduate-level administrative offices for the School of Business.<ref name="gmu.edu">{{cite web |url=http://business.gmu.edu/ |title=George Mason University – School of Business |website=business.gmu.edu}}</ref> Vernon Smith Hall houses the [[Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution]], the [[Mercatus Center]], and the [[Institute for Humane Studies]]. The campus also houses the 300-seat Van Metre Hall Auditorium.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stayarlington.com/directory/van-metre-hall/ | title=Van Metre Hall – George Mason University }}</ref> A new building, Fuse at Mason Square, is scheduled to be completed in 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://construction.gmu.edu/fuse-mason-square | title=Fuse at Mason Square }}</ref>

====Transportation====
{{Further|Virginia Square–GMU station}}
[[File:Virginia Sq-GMU station entrance pylon at night.jpg|thumb|[[Washington Metro]]'s [[Virginia Square–GMU station|Virginia Square-GMU]] campus stop]]
The campus is served by the [[Washington Metro]]'s Orange and Silver lines at the [[Virginia Square–GMU station]], a campus shuttle service, and [[Metrobus (Washington, D.C.)|Metrobus]], Arlington Transit (ART), and OmniRide buses.<ref>Mason Square Transportation https://transportation.gmu.edu/arlington-campus/?gmuw-rd=wp&gmuw-rdm=pi#RegionalTransportation</ref>

=== Science and Technology campus ===
The Science and Technology campus opened on August 25, 1997, as the Prince William campus in [[Manassas, Virginia]], on {{convert|134|acre|ha|abbr=off}} of land, some still currently undeveloped.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/presence/contents/princewilliamcampus |title=A History of George Mason University – 1996–2012: Prominence : The Prince William Campus |website=gmu.edu |access-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630185653/http://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/exhibits/show/presence/contents/princewilliamcampus |url-status=dead }}</ref> More than 4,000 students are enrolled in classes in [[bioinformatics]], [[biotechnology]], information technology, and forensic [[biosciences]] educational and research programs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://irr.gmu.edu/factbooks/1314/Factbook1314_Enrollment.pdf |title=Enrollment |access-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630175601/http://irr.gmu.edu/factbooks/1314/Factbook1314_Enrollment.pdf |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> There are undergraduate programs in health, fitness and recreation. There are graduate programs in exercise, fitness, health, geographic information systems, and facility management. Much of the research takes place in the high-security Biomedical Research Laboratory.<ref name="ncbid.cos.gmu.edu">{{cite web |url=http://ncbid.cos.gmu.edu/ |title=National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases |website=gmu.edu |access-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905234122/http://ncbid.cos.gmu.edu/ |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 1,123-seat Merchant Hall and the 300-seat Verizon Auditorium in the Hylton Performing Arts Center opened in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hyltoncenter.org/ |title=Hylton Performing Arts Center |website=hyltoncenter.org |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>Trescott, Jacqueline (April 29, 2010). "George Mason University gets ready to raise a new curtain". Washington Post. p. C2.</ref>

The 110,000-square-foot Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center is operated by the Mason Enterprise Center.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freedom-center.com/ |title=Fitness, Pool and Gym – Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center – Manassas, Virginia |website=freedom-center.com |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref> The Mason Center for Team and Organizational Learning stylized as EDGE is an experiential education facility open to the public.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edgeatmason.com/ |title=The EDGE – Team Building Ropes Course and Outdoors Activities – Virginia, DC, Maryland |website=edgeatmason.com |access-date=August 5, 2015 |archive-date=August 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812100046/http://www.edgeatmason.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Sports Medicine Assessment Research and Testing lab stylized as SMART Lab is located within the Freedom center. The SMART Lab is most known for its [[concussion]] research.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://smartlab.gmu.edu/about/ |title=About Us |website=smartlab.gmu.edu |access-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924104343/https://smartlab.gmu.edu/about/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On April 23, 2015, the campus was renamed to the Science and Technology Campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gov. McAuliffe Joins George Mason University to Launch Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research |url=http://newsdesk.gmu.edu/2015/04/governor-mcauliffe-joins-george-mason-university-to-launch-institute-for-advanced-biomedical-research/ |access-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref>

In 2019, the university engaged in a feasibility study of creating a medical school at the Prince William Campus.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clabaugh|first=J.|date= June 20, 2019|title=George Mason University to consider adding a medical school|website=WTOP|url=https://wtop.com/business-finance/2019/06/george-mason-university-to-consider-adding-a-medical-school/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sides|first=E.|date=November 16, 2019|title=George Mason University to layout timeline for proposed medical school at Prince William campus|website=Inside Nova|url=https://www.insidenova.com/news/education/prince_william/george-mason-university-to-layout-timeline-for-proposed-medical-school/article_0b28b2ae-07d2-11ea-bf21-0fc35919f090.html}}</ref>

=== Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation ===
[[File:Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.jpg|thumb|Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation]]
The campus in [[Front Royal, Virginia]], is a collaboration between the [[Smithsonian Institution]] and the university.<ref name="factsheet">{{cite magazine |author=National Zoological Park |title=Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation Facilities and Program Fact Sheet |url=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/PressMaterials/PressKit/SIMason/SImasonfacility.cfm |magazine=Smithsonian |access-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907191801/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/PressMaterials/PressKit/SIMason/SIMasonfacility.cfm |archive-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref> Open to students in August 2012 after breaking ground on the project on June 29, 2011, the primary focus of the campus is global conservation training.<ref name="factsheet" /> The Volgenau Academic Center includes three teaching laboratories, four classrooms, and 18 offices.<ref name="factsheet" /> [[Shenandoah National Park]] is visible from the dining facility's indoor and outdoor seating.<ref name="factsheet" /> Living quarters include 60 double occupancy rooms, an exercise facility, and study space.<ref name="factsheet" />

===Mason Korea===
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Mason Korea
| official_name      = Songdo Campus <br /> {{Korean|hangul=송도 캠퍼스}}
| settlement_type    = [[Campus|University Campus]]
| parts              =
| parts_type         =
| image_map          =
| image_skyline      = File:Songdo Campus, Mason Korea..jpg
| image_caption      = Data Center, Library, Guest House, Student's Hall{{efn|from left to right}}
| subdivision_name6  =
| subdivision_type6  = [[Census-Designated Place]]
| subdivision_type5  = [[Post Town|Post Town Name]]
| subdivision_name5  =
| subdivision_name4  = [[Songdo International Business District|Songdo]]
| subdivision_type4  = International Business District
| subdivision_name3  = [[Yeonsu District|Yeonsu-gu]]
| subdivision_type3  = District
| subdivision_name2  = [[File:Flag of Incheon.svg|23px]] [[Incheon]]
| subdivision_type2  = Metropolitan City
| subdivision_name1  = [[Seoul Capital Area|Seoul Capital Area (Sudogwon)]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Korea|Region]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flagcountry|South Korea}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| postal_code_type   = Postal Code
| postal_code        = 21985
| other_name         = Korea Campus
| website            = {{Official website|http://masonkorea.gmu.edu/}}
}}

Opened in March 2014, Mason Korea is located in the [[Songdo International Business District]] in [[South Korea]], a {{convert|42000|acre|ha|abbr=off|adj=on}} site designed for 850,000 people. It is located {{convert|25|mi|km}} from [[Seoul]] and a two-hour flight from [[China]] and [[Japan]], and is connected to the [[Seoul Metropolitan Subway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Ángel Cabrera: Working for Access to Excellence · 2012-2019: Vision · George Mason University: A History |url=https://masonlibraries.gmu.edu/masonhistory/exhibits/show/vision/vision |access-date=December 30, 2025 |website=masonlibraries.gmu.edu}}</ref>



The Commonwealth of Virginia considers the Songdo campus legally no different from any other Mason campus: {{blockquote|"... board of visitors shall have the same powers with respect to operation and governance of its branch campus in Korea as are vested in the board by the [[Code of Virginia]] with respect to George Mason University in Virginia ..."<ref name="Petersen2010">{{Citation |last=Petersen |first=J. Chapman |title=Establishment of branch campus in the Republic of Korea |access-date=2016-05-08 |date=2010-04-12 |url=http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title23/chapter9.1/section23-91.29:1/ }}</ref>}}

Mason Korea's first commencement class graduated in December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://koreabizwire.com/incheon-global-campus-slowly-coming-to-fruition/104489?ckattempt=3 |website=koreabizwire.com |access-date=June 14, 2019 |title=Incheon Global Campus Slowly Coming to Fruition |first=M.H. |last=Lee |date=December 14, 2017 }}</ref>

Students can take seven bachelor's degree courses in Mason Korea.

Students from Mason Korea earn the same diploma as home campus students, with [[English-medium education|English as the language of instruction]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/about/why-mason-korea | title=Why Mason Korea? | date=July 19, 2021 }}</ref>

==Academics==
{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- U.S. rankings -->| Forbes = 91
| THE_WSJ = 178
| USNWR_NU = 109
| Wamo_NU = 61
<!-- Global rankings -->| USNWR_W = 503 (tie)
| THES_W = 401–500
| QS_W = 951–1000
| ARWU_W = 201–300
}}

Mason offers undergraduate, graduate master's, law, and doctoral degrees with an emphasis on combining modern practice-based [[professional education]] with a comprehensive traditional [[Liberal arts education|liberal arts]] curriculum.<ref>{{Cite web |work=Universidad Carlos III de Madrid ([[Charles III University of Madrid]]) and George Mason University |title=George Mason University – Guide to International Students |url=https://www.uc3m.es/secretaria-virtual/media/secretaria-virtual/doc/archivo/doc_une_george-mason-guidebook/student_guidebook.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fonseca, Ed. |first=James W. |title=Higher Education for Adults: Non-Traditional Paths |url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED287426.pdf |website=[[United States Department of Education]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Steele |first=Clarence A. |title=Clarence A. Steele to Colgate W. Darden, Jr., April 4, 1949 |date=April 4, 1949}}</ref><ref name="Factbook" /> The student-faculty ratio is 17:1; 58 percent of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students and 30 percent of undergraduate classes have fewer than 20 students.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://irr2.gmu.edu/cds/cds_new/sec_action.cfm?year=2018-19&sec_id=I |title=Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning |website=irr2.gmu.edu |access-date=June 25, 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101013549/https://irr2.gmu.edu/cds/cds_new/sec_action.cfm?year=2018-19&sec_id=I |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Rankings===
In 2024, ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' ranked George Mason tied at #109 out of 436 National Universities, tied at #52 in Top Public Schools, #156 in Best Value Schools, tied at #98 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs at schools where doctorate not offered, tied at #114 in Nursing, tied at #93 in Economics, tied at #20 in Co-ops/Internships, tied at #70 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #25 in Most Innovative Schools, and tied at #82 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.<ref>{{cite web |title=George Mason University Rankings|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/gmu-3749/overall-rankings|website=usnews.com |publisher=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |access-date=October 18, 2024}}</ref>

===Undergraduate admissions===
In 2024, the university accepted 90% of its undergraduate applicants, and did not consider high school class rank or require standardized test scores for admission. Those admitted had an average 3.68 high school [[Academic grading in the United States#Grade conversion|GPA]]. For those submitting scores the average student had an [[SAT]] score of 1250 (38% submitting scores) or an average [[ACT (test)|ACT]] score of 28 (3% submitting scores).<ref>{{cite web |title= George Mason University Admission Requirements |url= https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/virginia/george-mason-university/admission/ |work=CollegeSimply |access-date=October 9, 2024}}</ref>

===Student statistics===
Between 2009 and 2013, George Mason saw a 21% increase in the number of applications, has enrolled 4% more new degree-seeking students, and has seen the percentage of undergraduate and graduate applications accepted each decrease by 4%. Law applications accepted increased by 10%.<ref name="Factbook">{{cite book |last1=Dooris |first1=John |last2=Smith |first2=Kris |last3=Detlev |first3=Angela |last4=Ko |first4=Jang |last5=McCullough |first5=Samantha |last6=McDonnell |first6=Robert |last7=Wu |first7=Huiping |last8=Yoo |first8=Jenny |last9=Zora |first9=Kathryn |title=Factbook |date=2014 |publisher=George Mason University}}</ref> Mason enrolled 33,917 students for fall 2013, up 956 (+3%) from fall 2012. Undergraduate students made up 65% (21,990) of the fall enrollment, graduate students 34% (11,399), and law students 2% (528). Undergraduate headcount was 1,337 higher than fall 2012 (+7%); graduate headcount was 262 lower (−2%); and law student headcount was 119 lower (−18%). Matriculated students come from all 50&nbsp;states&nbsp;and 122 foreign countries.<ref name="Factbook" /> As of fall 2014, the university had 33,791 students enrolled, including 21,672 undergraduates, 7,022 seeking master's degrees, 2,264 seeking doctoral degrees and 493 seeking law degrees.<ref name="Factbook" /> As of 2023, the university enrolled 40,185<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irr2.gmu.edu/cds/cds_new/sec_action.cfm?year=2016-17&sec_id=B |title=Office of Institutional Research and Assessment |website=irr2.gmu.edu |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101043838/https://irr2.gmu.edu/cds/cds_new/sec_action.cfm?year=2016-17&sec_id=B |url-status=dead }}</ref> students, making it the largest university by head count in Virginia.<ref>[https://archive.today/20091019115421/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/GMUU15_20091014-221605/299431/ In head count, George Mason edges VCU | Richmond Times-Dispatch]. .timesdispatch.com. Retrieved on March 11, 2011.</ref>

=== Academic affiliations ===
* [[Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area]] (CUWMA)
* [[National Sea Grant College Program]] (Sea-grant)
* [[Oak Ridge Associated Universities]] (ORAU)
* [[Smithsonian Institution]] (SI) – [[Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute]] (SCBI)
* [[State Council of Higher Education for Virginia]] (SCHEV)
* [[Transatlantic Policy Consortium]] (TPC)
* [[Washington Research Library Consortium]] (WRLC)

==Research==
George Mason University hosts $149 million in sponsored research projects annually, as of 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mason sponsored research spending reaches $149 million |url=https://www2.gmu.edu/news/575956 |website=George Mason |access-date=December 27, 2019 |date=April 2, 2019 |archive-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227213127/https://www2.gmu.edu/news/575956 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2016, Mason was [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup_listings/view_institution.php?unit_id=232186 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002510/http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup_listings/view_institution.php?unit_id=232186 |url-status=dead|archive-date=September 13, 2018 |title=Institution Profile|website=Carnegie Classifications |access-date= March 18, 2016}}</ref> Mason moved into this classification based on a review of its 2013–2014 data that was performed by the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.gmu.edu/news/182106 |title=Mason achieves top research ranking from Carnegie |website=George Mason |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308003642/https://www2.gmu.edu/news/182106 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The research is focused on health, sustainability and security. In health, researchers focus is on wellness, disease prevention, advanced diagnostics and biomedical analytics. Sustainability research examines climate change, natural disaster forecasting, and risk assessment. Mason's security experts study domestic and international security as well as cyber security.<ref>{{cite web |title=Office of Research – Research Focus |url=http://research.gmu.edu/focus.html |website=research.gmu.edu |access-date=April 27, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150420053235/http://research.gmu.edu/focus.html|archive-date = April 20, 2015|url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Centers and institutes===
[[File:Mercatus Center logo.svg|thumb|The [[Mercatus Center]], a free-market oriented think tank.]]
The university is home to numerous research centers and institutes.<ref name="gmu-centers-institutes">{{cite web |url=http://www.gmu.edu/resources/centers-institutes/ |title=Centers and Institutes – George Mason University |website=www.gmu.edu |access-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225225909/http://www.gmu.edu/resources/centers-institutes/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine<ref name="McAteer">{{cite news |last1=McAteer |first1=MJ |title=GMU research addresses world issues |url=http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/gmu-research-addresses-world-issues |access-date=January 20, 2017 |publisher=Virginia Business |date=August 30, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002335/http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/gmu-research-addresses-world-issues |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Center for Clean Water and Sustainable Technologies (CCWST)<ref name="McAteer" />
* Center for Climate Change Communication (4C)<ref name=GMU_ClimateChangeComm>{{cite web |title=Center for Climate Change Communication |url=https://www2.gmu.edu/research/directory-centers-and-institutes |website=climatechangecommunication.org |publisher=George Mason University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507151333/https://www2.gmu.edu/research/directory-centers-and-institutes |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref>
* Center for Collision Safety and Analysis<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirkley |first1=John |title=A New Dawn: Bringing HPC to Smaller Manufacturers |url=http://www.scientificcomputing.com/article/2014/11/new-dawn-bringing-hpc-smaller-manufacturers |access-date=January 20, 2017 |work=Scientific Computing |publisher=Advantage Business Media |date=November 13, 2014}}</ref>
* Center for Excellence in Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence (C4I)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kott |first1=Alexander |title=Battle of Cognition |date=2008 |publisher=Greenwood |isbn=978-0313349959 |page=257 |ref=Kott}}</ref>
* Center for Infrastructure Security in the Era of AI (ISEAI)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donnellan |first1=Teresa |title=Grit powers George Mason’s Center for Infrastructure Security in the Era of AI |url=https://cec.gmu.edu/news/2026-02/grit-powers-george-masons-center-infrastructure-security-era-ai |website=College of Engineering and Computing, George Mason University |access-date=21 May 2026}}</ref>
* Center for Humanities Research
* Center for Location Science<ref>{{cite web |url=http://locationscience.gmu.edu/ |title=Center for Location Science |work=gmu.edu |access-date=January 19, 2017}}</ref>
* Center for Neural Informatics<ref name="Leergaard" />
* Center for Peacemaking Practice<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scar.gmu.edu/center-peacemaking-practice |title=Center for Peacemaking Practice |work=gmu.edu |access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>
* Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship<ref name="gmu-centers-institutes" />
* Center for Regional Analysis<ref name="gmu-centers-institutes" />
* Center for Social Complexity<ref>{{cite web |url=http://socialcomplexity.gmu.edu/ |title=Center for Social Complexity |author=Office of the Provost |work=gmu.edu |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref>
* Center for Study of Public Choice<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wescott |first1=David |title=Is This Economist Too Far Ahead of His Time? |url=http://www.chronicle.com/article/Is-This-Economist-Too-Far/238050 |access-date=January 20, 2017 |work=Chronicle Review |publisher=Chronicle of Higher Education |date=October 16, 2016}}</ref>
* Center for Neural Informatics, Structures, and Plasticity (CN3)<ref name="Leergaard">{{cite book |last1=Leergaard |first1=Trygve |title=Mapping the Connectome |date=2011 |publisher=Frontiers |isbn=978-2889191079 |page=135}}</ref>
* Center for Well-Being<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wellbeing.gmu.edu/ |title=Center for the Advancement of Well-Being |work=gmu.edu |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Body farm#George Mason University|Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://science.gmu.edu/academics/departments-units/forensic-science/facilities-0/forensic-science-research-and-training |title=Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory |access-date=May 4, 2026}}</ref>
* Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research<ref name="McAteer2">{{cite news |last1=McAteer |first1=MJ |title=An 'extroverted campus' |url=http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/an-extroverted-campus |access-date=January 21, 2017 |publisher=Virginia Business |date=August 28, 2015 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004929/http://www.virginiabusiness.com/news/article/an-extroverted-campus |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA)<ref name="idia-albanese">{{cite web |last1=Shepherd |first1=Pam |title=Massimiliano Albanese named executive director of Institute for Digital Innovation |url=https://www.gmu.edu/news/2025-09/massimiliano-albanese-named-executive-director-institute-digital-innovation |website=George Mason University |access-date=21 May 2026 |ref=idia-albanese}}</ref>
* Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmermann |first1=Christian |title=Economics Departments, Institutes and Research Centers in the World |url=https://edirc.repec.org/data/icgmuus.html |website=EDIRC |publisher=Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis |access-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study]]<ref name="McAteer" />
* [[Mercatus Center]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dillow |first1=Clay |title=The FAA is Way Overstating the Risk Drones Pose to Airliners |url=http://fortune.com/2016/03/16/faa-overstating-risk-drones-pose-to-airliners/ |access-date=March 30, 2016 |work=Fortune |publisher=Time, Inc. |date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>
* National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases<ref name="McAteer" />
* [[Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Alexa |title=New GMU course combines history of Appalachian Trail with digital media |url=http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fairfax_county/new-gmu-course-combines-history-of-appalachian-trail-with-digital/article_7d017b08-c6f9-11e6-8c3d-2b4267ccf1e0.html |access-date=January 20, 2017 |publisher=Fairfax Times |date=December 20, 2016}}</ref>
* SMART Lab (Sports Medicine Assessment, Research & Testing)<ref>{{cite news |last1=London |first1=Susan |title=States' Preparticipation Physical Evaluations Vary Widely |url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/837010 |access-date=January 20, 2017 |publisher=Medscape Medical News |date=December 22, 2014}}</ref>
* Stephen S. Fuller Institute <ref>[Stephen S. Fuller Institute] [http://sfullerinstitute.gmu.edu/]</ref>
* [[Michael V. Hayden Center|Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security]]
* Center for Security Policy Studies
* Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy
* Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise
* [[Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center]] (TraCCC)
* Center for Energy Science and Policy
* National Security Institute
* Center for Government Contracting
* Global Antitrust Institute
* Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution
* Center for the Study of Gender and Conflict Resolution
* Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia (PACSC Asia)
* Center for the Study of Narrative and Conflict Resolution
* Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation{{div col end}}

== Student life and community relations ==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: George Mason University|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?232186-George-Mason-University |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=September 1, 2025}}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|33|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|24|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|17|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|12|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|30|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|70|%|2||background:black}}
|}
===Traditions===
[[File:Bench painting.jpg|thumb|Benches painted by students outside the Fenwick Library]]
Students have often decorated the George Mason statue on the Fairfax campus for events. Some have rubbed the statue toe to bring good luck. Many pose with the statue for graduation photographs.<ref>Decorate: {{Hanging indent | {{cite book |last1=Sharrer |first1=Emily |title=George Mason University 2012 |date=March 15, 2011 |publisher=College Prowler}}}} {{Hanging indent | {{cite news |last1=Brand |first1=Madeleine |title=Who Was This Guy George Mason? |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5315321 |access-date=March 18, 2017 |work=Day to Day |publisher=National Public Radio |date=March 31, 2006}}}} Luck: {{Hanging indent | {{cite book |last1=Sharrer |first1=Emily |title=George Mason University 2012 |date=March 15, 2011 |publisher=College Prowler}}}} {{Hanging indent | {{cite news |last1=Ackman |first1=Asher |title=Mason: the Myth, the Legend |url=http://gmufourthestate.com/2015/04/07/mason-the-myth-the-legend/ |access-date=March 18, 2017 |publisher=Fourth Estate |date=April 7, 2015}}}}Graduation: {{Hanging indent | {{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=David |title=Dual GMU Graduation for F.C. Mom & Daughter |url=https://fcnp.com/2014/06/18/dual-gmu-graduation-for-f-c-mom-daughter/ |access-date=March 18, 2017 |publisher=Falls Church News-Press |date=June 18, 2014}}}}</ref> Between 1988 and 1990 Anthony Maiello wrote the original ''George Mason Fight Song'', which was edited by Michael Nickens in 2009.<ref>Original: {{Hanging indent |{{cite web |url=http://www.music.gmu.edu/node/153 |title=Prof. Anthony Maiello |work=gmu.edu |quote="Hail to George Mason! Don your green and gold! We're going to sing for George Mason, Patriots brave and bold! We're going to cheer for George Mason, Proud for the world to see! We'll prove our honor and might, And we'll FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! As we march onward to victory!"|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426130730/http://music.gmu.edu/node/153|archive-date=April 26, 2015|url-status=dead}}}}Edit: {{Hanging indent |{{cite web |url=http://music.gmu.edu/node/152 |title=Dr. Michael Nickens |work=gmu.edu|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308142839/http://music.gmu.edu/node/152|archive-date=March 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}}}</ref>

Each spring, student organizations at Mason compete to paint one of the 38 benches located on the Quad in front of Fenwick Library. For years, student organizations have painted those benches that line the walkway to gain recognition for their group. With more than 300 student organizations, there is much competition to paint the benches. Painting takes place in the spring.<ref>Bench painting: {{Hanging indent | {{cite book |last1=Sharrer |first1=Emily |title=George Mason University 2012 |date=March 15, 2011 |publisher=College Prowler}}}} {{Hanging indent | {{cite web |title=Bench Painting – Student Involvement – George Mason University |url=https://si.gmu.edu/registered-student-organizations/bench-painting/ |website=si.gmu.edu |access-date=April 22, 2015}}}}</ref>

===Housing===
George Mason University has around 40 residence halls in the Fairfax campus, 22 of which are used specifically for freshmen. Many halls are named after famous Virginia regions and terms.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://housing.gmu.edu/mason-housing-residence-halls | title=Mason Housing Residence Halls &#124; Housing and Residence Life }}</ref>

====Freshman housing====
* Commonwealth Hall – A suite-style hall with a capacity of around 240 students
* Dominion Hall – A suite-style hall with a capacity of around 240 students
* Presidents Park – A traditional-style complex of twelve halls, with a total capacity of around 1000 students; the halls are Adams, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe, Roosevelt, Truman, Washington, and Wilson
* Taylor Hall – A traditional-style hall with a capacity of around 300 students
* The Commons – A traditional-style complex of seven halls, with a total capacity of around 500 students; the halls are Amherst, Brunswick, Carroll, Dickinson, Essex, Franklin, and Grayson

====Upper-class housing====
* Eastern Shore – A suite-style hall with a capacity of around 200 students
* Blue Ridge and Sandbridge – Two connected suite-style halls with a total capacity of around 400 students
* Piedmont and Tidewater – Two connected suite-style halls with a total capacity of around 350 students
* Whitetop – A suite-style hall with a capacity of around 300 students
* Hampton Roads Hall – A suite-style hall with a capacity of around 450 students
* Angel Cabrera Global Center – A suite-style hall with a capacity of around 300 students
* Liberty Square – An apartment-style hall with a capacity of around 500 students, split into five wings, lettered A-E
* Rogers Hall – An apartment-style hall with a capacity of slightly over 300 students
* Northern Neck – An apartment-style hall with a capacity of slightly over 300 students
* Potomac Heights – An apartment-style hall with a capacity of around 500 students
* The Townhouses – Apartments located 1/8 mile from the Fairfax campus, with a total capacity of around 100 students

====Graduate housing====
* ''Beacon Hall'' – An apartment-style hall with a capacity of around 200 students

===Student organizations===
Student organizations may have academic, social, athletic, religious/irreligious, career, or other focus. The university recognizes 500 such groups.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Lauren |title=Organizations Directory |url=https://getconnected.gmu.edu/organizations |website=Get Connected |publisher=Student Involvement |access-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202015734/https://getconnected.gmu.edu/organizations|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Mason sponsors several student-run media outlets through the Office of Student Media.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://studentmedia.gmu.edu/index.html |title=Student Media – An office of University Life |work=gmu.edu|access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503135754/http://studentmedia.gmu.edu/index.html|archive-date=May 3, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ''[[Fourth Estate (George Mason University newspaper)|Fourth Estate]]'': Website and weekly student newspaper, available on Mondays<ref name="Home - Fourth Estate">{{cite web |url=http://gmufourthestate.com/ |title=Fourth Estate |work=gmufourthestate.com |access-date=August 5, 2015 |date=March 8, 2014}}</ref>
* ''[[Phoebe (magazine)|Phoebe]]'': A journal that annually publishes original works of literature and art<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phoebejournal.com/ |title=Phoebe |work=phoebejournal.com |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref>
* [[WGMU Radio]]: Broadcasts a wide array of music, talk, sports, and news programming. WGMU is also the flagship station for George Mason's men's and women's basketball teams, part of the Go Mason Digital Network.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waits |first1=Jennifer |title=Visiting WGMU Radio at George Mason University |url=http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2015/08/03/visiting-wgmu-radio-at-george-mason-university/ |access-date=April 16, 2017 |publisher=Radio Survivor |date=August 3, 2015}}</ref>

=== Greek life ===
Mason recognizes 42 fraternities and sororities,<ref name=":3">{{cite web |title=Councils and Chapters – Student Involvement – George Mason University |url=https://si.gmu.edu/greek-life/councils-and-chapters/ |website=si.gmu.edu |access-date=April 22, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150423065139/http://si.gmu.edu/greek-life/councils-and-chapters/|archive-date = April 23, 2015|url-status = dead }}</ref> with a total Greek population of about 1,800. Mason does not have a traditional "Greek Row" of housing specifically for fraternities, although recruitment, charitable events—including a spring Greek Week—and other chapter activities take place on the Fairfax Campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fraternity & Sorority Life – Student Involvement – George Mason University |url=http://si.gmu.edu/greek-life/ |website=si.gmu.edu |access-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419140740/http://si.gmu.edu/greek-life/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Athletics ===
{{Main|George Mason Patriots}}
{{See also|George Mason Patriots men's basketball|2005–06 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team}}

====Division I teams====
[[File:GMU-BBallGame-Spring05.jpg|thumb|[[Hofstra Pride men's basketball|Hofstra]] visits the Patriot Center, now known as [[EagleBank Arena]], in January 2005.]]

The [[George Mason Patriots]] are the athletic teams of George Mason University located in Fairfax, Virginia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://about.gmu.edu/campuses/ |title=Campuses |work=About Mason|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401222448/http://about.gmu.edu/campuses/|archive-date=April 1, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref> The Patriots compete in Division I of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] as members of the [[Atlantic 10]] Conference for most sports. About 485 student-athletes compete in 22 men's and women's Division I sports – baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. Intercollegiate men's and women's teams are members of the National Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, the Atlantic 10, the [[Eastern College Athletic Conference]] (ECAC), the [[Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association]] (EIVA), the [[Eastern Wrestling League]] (EWL), and the [[IC4A|Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America]] (IC4A).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://irr.gmu.edu/FastFacts/ |title=Mason Visitors Center – Mason Facts and Figures |work=gmu.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211191347/http://irr.gmu.edu/FastFacts/ |archive-date=February 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Intramural club sports====
In addition to its NCAA Division I teams, George Mason University has several club sports.<ref name="George Mason Club Sports">{{cite web |url=https://recreation.gmu.edu/club-sports/ |title=Club Sports – Recreation |work=George Mason University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mason360.gmu.edu/club_signup?group_type=14121 |title=Listing of Groups and Organizations |website=Mason360|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref>

====Performing arts====
The Mason Players is a faculty-led student organization that produces six productions per year.

=== Cultural capital, political influence, and controversy ===
[[File:Antonin Scalia Law School (52367887178).jpg|thumb|The [[Antonin Scalia Law School]] was called "a Yale or Harvard of conservative legal scholarship and influence" by ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How Scalia Law School Became a Key Friend of the Court |work=The New York Times |date=April 30, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/30/us/supreme-court-scalia-law-school.html |last1=Eder |first1=Steve |last2=Becker |first2=Jo }}</ref>]]
According to ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' University Rankings, George Mason University is ranked #1 in [[Social mobility|Social Mobility]] among universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia and nationally ranked #72 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. ''The New York Times'' Top U.S. Colleges with the Greatest Economic Diversity ranking ranks the university at #19 for advancing social mobility for its students and alumni and having [[socioeconomic status]] diversity through [[cultural capital]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Leonhardt |first1=David |last2=Wu |first2=Ashley |date=September 7, 2023 |title=The Top U.S. Colleges With the Greatest Economic Diversity |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/07/magazine/college-access-index.html |access-date=January 14, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The university is also ranked No. 8 in the nation for [[Freedom of speech|Freedom of Speech]] and protecting rights enshrined in the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution]] according to the [[Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression]] (FIRE), FIRE also posits that the majority viewpoint of the student body leans politically liberal in the sense of [[modern liberalism in the United States]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free Speech Rankings |url=https://rankings.thefire.org/rank/school/george-mason-university |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=rankings.thefire.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mason soars in national rankings |url=https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2023-09/mason-soars-national-rankings |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=College of Public Health |language=en}}</ref> although the political ideologies of [[libertarianism in the United States]]<ref name=":1" /><ref name="elg" /><ref name=":2" /> and [[conservatism in the United States]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Brian |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Trump ally's fund received over $20 million last year, then funneled cash to other right-leaning groups |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/trump-ally-leonard-leo-85-fund-received-20-million-in-2020.html |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Getahun |first=Hannah |date=April 30, 2023 |title=Scalia Law is a haven for conservative SCOTUS justices: NYT |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/scalia-law-is-a-haven-for-conservative-scotus-justices-nyt-2023-4 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> are also visible on campus with the university stating that it strives for "comprehensive ideological balance," evidence including but not limited to the university being "home to both the [[Antonin Scalia Law School]] and the [[Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution]]," named after a conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice ([[Antonin Scalia]]) politically appointed by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] U.S. President and a liberal U.S. President ([[Jimmy Carter]]) and First Lady ([[Rosalynn Carter]]) who were members of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2023 |title=George Mason University blasts Heritage Foundation DEI report: 'Wholly fictitious' |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2453425/george-mason-university-blasts-heritage-foundation-dei-report-wholly-fictitious/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=Washington Examiner |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Demographics ====
According to the [[United States Department of Education|U.S. Department of Education]] College Scorecard, 44% of students have taken on [[Student loans in the United States|federal student loans]], and in terms of socioeconomic diversity, 28% of students have received Pell grants reserved for [[low-income]] students. Among undergraduate students, 80% of students are enrolled full-time while 20% are enrolled part-time<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=College Scorecard |url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?232186-George-Mason-University |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=collegescorecard.ed.gov |language=en}}</ref>

In terms of ethnic and racial demographics: [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]]/[[Alaska Natives|Alaska Native]] people make up 0% of the student body and 0% of the full-time staff; Asian people make up 22% of the student body and 14% of the full-time staff; [[African Americans|Black people]] make up 11% of the student body and 5% of the full-time staff; [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic and Latino people]] make up 17% of the student population and 3% of the full-time staff; [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]]/[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] people make up 0% of the student body and 0% of the full-time staff; [[non-resident alien]] people make up 5% of the student body and 8% of the full-time staff; people of [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]/multiracial people make up 5% of the student body and 2% of the full-time staff; people of an Unknown ethno-racial demographic make up 3% of the student body and 3% of the full-time staff; and [[White Americans|White people]] make up 36% of the student body and 65% of the full-time staff.<ref name=":5" />

==== Koch Foundation funding and Economics Department ====
{{Austrian School sidebar}}
George Mason University has been subject to controversy surrounding donations from the [[Koch family foundations|Charles Koch Foundation]], in particular to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences' Department of [[Economics]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Koch and George Mason University |url=https://www.desmog.com/koch-and-george-mason-university/ |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=DeSmog |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="elg">{{Cite news |last1=Green |first1=Erica L. |last2=Saul |first2=Stephanie |date=May 5, 2018 |title=What Charles Koch and Other Donors to George Mason University Got for Their Money |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/us/koch-donors-george-mason.html |access-date=June 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=George Mason University becomes a favorite of Charles Koch |url=https://apnews.com/article/-----613470e79eb64a5f9a4880996e0fd7c5 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=The Associated Press |date=April 2016 |language=en}}</ref> which was seen as being allegedly influenced by [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] political thought, evidenced by the [[political activities of the Koch brothers]]. University documents revealed that the Koch brothers were given the ability to pick candidates as a condition of monetary donations.<ref name="elg" /> George Mason University altered its donor rules following the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=George Mason tightens donor rules after uproar over Koch|url=https://apnews.com/807149f5a8044bf49e24deadffac72fd|date=April 26, 2019|website=AP NEWS|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>

==== Public policy school ====
George Mason University's public policy school and political science department, the [[Schar School of Policy and Government]], was the subject of some controversy over its relationship with former US intelligence agency personnel. In particular, the 2009 hiring of General [[Michael Hayden (general)|Michael Hayden]], former director of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] and the [[National Security Agency]] (NSA), and of [[Robert Deitz]], former general counsel of the NSA, were controversial due to Hayden's and Deitz's intelligence careers which involved lawful but unpopular use of [[Mass surveillance in the United States|mass surveillance]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Silverstein |first=Ken |date=December 12, 2014 |title=Irony 101: Study Ethics with Legal Ace Who Sanctioned NSA Wiretapping, CIA Torture |url=https://theintercept.com/2014/12/22/irony-101-study-ethics-robert-deitz-legal-ace-sanctioned-nsa-wiretapping-cia-torture/ |access-date=September 6, 2020 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Historical hoaxes ====
The [[George Mason University's historical hoaxes]] were a group of [[internet hoax]]es and [[Disinformation|disinformation campaigns]] created by students as part of a class project for a course on "Lying about the Past" taught by [[history]] professor T. Mills Kelly, with the goal of creating an Internet deception that affected news media platforms.<ref name="Atlantic2">{{cite news |author=Yoni Appelbaum |date=May 15, 2012 |title=How the Professor Who Fooled Wikipedia Got Caught by Reddit |newspaper=[[The Atlantic]] |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/05/how-the-professor-who-fooled-wikipedia-got-caught-by-reddit/257134/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518070328/http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/05/how-the-professor-who-fooled-wikipedia-got-caught-by-reddit/257134/ |archive-date=May 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>Matheson, Whitney. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081205232921/http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2008/12/ahoy-delve-into.html Pop Candy blog], USAToday.com, December 4, 2008</ref><ref>[http://bavatuesdays.com/the-last-american-pirate/ "The Last American Pirate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213051110/http://bavatuesdays.com/the-last-american-pirate/|date=December 13, 2010}}, December 4, 2008</ref><ref name="The evening world">{{cite news |date=April 22, 1895 |title=Who Killed Alice Walsh? |newspaper=[[The Evening World]] |url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1895-04-22/ed-1/seq-1/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103114141/http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030193/1895-04-22/ed-1/seq-1/ |archive-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 14, 2012 |title=Serial Killers, Beer, and Lies About the Past |url=http://edwired.org/2012/05/14/serial-killers-beer-and-lies-about-the-past/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721004013/http://edwired.org/2012/05/14/serial-killers-beer-and-lies-about-the-past/ |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2012 |publisher=edwired}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 1, 2012 |title=Wikipedia and Me |url=http://edwired.org/2012/06/01/wikipedia-and-me/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716005018/http://edwired.org/2012/06/01/wikipedia-and-me/ |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2012 |publisher=edwired}}</ref><ref name="Mills Kelly">{{citation |author=Mills Kelly |title=No More Lying About the Past |date=March 31, 2013 |url=http://edwired.org/2013/03/31/no-more-lying-about-the-past/ |access-date=February 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221144912/http://edwired.org/2013/03/31/no-more-lying-about-the-past/ |url-status=live |publisher=Center for History and New Media, George Mason University |archive-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Digital Past 2015 |url=http://edwired.org/courses/h390sp15/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219165811/http://edwired.org/courses/h390sp15/ |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=February 19, 2015}}</ref>

=== Sexual misconduct ===
In 2016 a male student won an appeal overturning his suspension for sexual assault.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kingkade |first=Tyler |date=March 29, 2016 |title=Student Accused In BDSM Sexual Assault Case Wins Rare Legal Victory |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-mason-sexual-assault-due-process_n_56f9988de4b014d3fe23d789 |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=[[HuffPost]] |language=en}}</ref>

The Title IX process (which investigates sex discrimination) at George Mason University has continued to be subject to controversy. Following the hiring of [[Brett Kavanaugh]] as a visiting professor in the law school in 2019, students circulated a petition demanding not only the removal of Kavanaugh, but to increase the number of [[Title IX]] Coordinators on campus. The petition received 10,000 signatures and resulted in approval for funding for two more Title IX Coordinator positions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woolsey |first=Angela |date=April 19, 2019 |title=GMU approves funding for two added Title IX coordinators |url=http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/gmu-approves-funding-for-two-added-title-ix-coordinators/article_dbc3a0be-62db-11e9-a5a5-172f8820e14f.html |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=Fairfax County Times |language=en}}</ref>

In 2018, Peter Pober was alleged to have committed sexual misconduct during his tenure as a competitive speech coach.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kitchener |first=Caroline |title=A #MeToo Nightmare in the World of Competitive College Speech |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/03/students-accuse-gmu-forensics-coach-sexual-harassment/585211/ |access-date=May 18, 2020 |work=The Atlantic |issn=1072-7825}}</ref> He retired while being investigated for misconduct.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larimer |first=Sarah |title=George Mason professor retires amid sexual harassment allegations |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/george-mason-professor-retires-amid-sexual-harassment-allegations/2018/08/18/683e60d8-9055-11e8-bcd5-9d911c784c38_story.html |access-date=May 18, 2020 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref>

===Department of Education and Department of Justice investigations===
In July 2025, the US Department of Education announced two investigations of the university, one concerning "allegations that it failed to respond effectively to a pervasively hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty from October 2023 through the 2024–2025 academic year," and another "based on a complaint filed with OCR by multiple professors at GMU who allege that the university illegally uses race and other immutable characteristics in university policies, including hiring and promotion."<ref>US Department of Education, "U.S. Department of Education Opens Title VI Investigation into George Mason University," July 10, 2025, http://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-opens-title-vi-investigation-george-mason-university.</ref>

On July 17, 2025, the [[US Department of Justice]] (DOJ) announced an investigation into possible discriminatory hiring and promotion practices at GMU.<ref>{{cite web |title=Justice Department Launches Investigation into Employment Practices at George Mason University |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-launches-investigation-employment-practices-george-mason-university |publisher=United States Department of Justice |access-date=July 25, 2025 |language=en |date=July 17, 2025}}</ref> In their letter to the university, the DOJ made several claims regarding racial or gender-oriented hiring preferences.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dhillon |first1=Harmeet K. |title=Letter of Notice: Investigation of the Employment Practices of Georee Mason University Pursuant to Section 707 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. as Amended |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1408276/dl |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=July 17, 2025 |access-date=July 25, 2025}}</ref> GMU's president, Gregory Washington, responded to the announcement the following day with a public statement providing context on some of the accusations and a statement that they intend to cooperate fully and had already removed some of the policies in question. They also state that they had been obeying the current state laws on the matter at the time the messages and posts in the DOJ letter were made.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Washington |first1=Gregory |title=Background on new investigation from Department of Justice |url=https://www.gmu.edu/news/2025-07/background-new-investigation-department-justice |publisher=George Mason University |date=July 18, 2025 |access-date=July 25, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

On July 21, 2025, the DOJ announced a second investigation, this time into admissions procedures and awarding of student benefits and scholarships and their compliance with federal non-discrimination laws.<ref>{{cite web |title=Justice Department Launches Second Investigation into George Mason University |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-launches-second-investigation-george-mason-university |publisher=United States Department of Justice |access-date=July 25, 2025 |language=en |date=July 21, 2025}}</ref> The second investigation's letter to the University makes no specific accusations about admissions practices or student treatment, instead listing this investigation as a compliance check,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dhillon |first1=Harmeet K. |title=Re: United States Department of Justice Compliance Review of George Mason University |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1408276/dl |publisher=United States Department of Justice |date=July 21, 2025 |access-date=July 25, 2025}}</ref> but GMU's public response mentions allegations of non-compliance with these policies and DOJ concerns over the university response to anti-semitism on campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement from Board of Visitors regarding new federal investigations |url=https://www.gmu.edu/news/2025-07/statement-board-visitors-regarding-new-federal-investigations |publisher=George Mason University |access-date=July 25, 2025 |language=en |date=July 22, 2025}}</ref>

On July 25, 2025, the Department of Justice stated its plans to review a resolution by the Faculty Senate which had quoted from the university's 2023 strategic plan.<ref>Vimal Patel, "Justice Department Scrutinizes George Mason Faculty’s Diversity Stance," ''New York Times'', July 28, 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/us/justice-department-george-mason-faculty-senate-investigation.html</ref>

==Notable faculty and alumni==
{{Main list|List of George Mason University people
}}

=== Faculty ===
{{Main category|George Mason University faculty}}<gallery heights="100" class="center" widths="80" perrow="10" caption="Notable George Mason University faculty include:">
File:Vasily Aksyonov 1980.jpg|[[Vasily Aksyonov]], Russian novelist, poet, and anti-totalitarian dissident
File:Francis Fukuyama 2015 (cropped).jpg|[[Francis Fukuyama]], [[Political science|political scientist]], [[Political economy|political economist]], and [[international relations]] scholar
File:Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch Official Portrait.jpg|[[Neil Gorsuch]], U.S. Supreme Court associate justice
File:Michael Hayden, CIA official portrait.jpg|[[Michael Hayden (general)|Michael Hayden]], former director, [[Central Intelligence Agency]] and [[National Security Agency]]
File:Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh Official Portrait.jpg|[[Brett Kavanaugh]], U.S. Supreme Court associate justice
File:Andrew McCabe official portrait.jpg|[[Andrew McCabe]], former acting director, [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
File:Clarence Thomas official SCOTUS portrait.jpg|[[Clarence Thomas]], U.S. Supreme Court associate justice
File:Mike Pence official Vice Presidential portrait.jpg|[[Mike Pence]], former [[Vice President of the United States]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinhauser |first=Paul |date=2025-09-17 |title=Donald Trump's first vice president snags new job |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-job-donald-trumps-first-vice-president |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Falconer |first=Rebecca |date=2025-09-19 |title=Pence to teach political science at George Mason University next spring |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/09/19/pence-george-mason-university-professor |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-17 |title=Mike Pence joins George Mason University faculty |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2025/09/17/george-mason-university-faculty-mike-pence.html |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Washington Business Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
File:Timothy J. Muris.jpg|[[Timothy Muris]], former chairman, [[Federal Trade Commission]]
File:Walter E. Williams speaks at Texas Tech in 2013 (cropped).jpg|[[Walter E. Williams]], John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics and author
File:James Buchanan by Atlas network.jpg|[[James M. Buchanan]], former [[Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences|Nobel Prize]]-winning economist
File:Vernon L. Smith 2011.jpg|[[Vernon L. Smith]], Nobel Prize-winning economist
</gallery>

=== Alumni ===
{{Main category|George Mason University alumni}}<gallery heights="120" class="center" widths="80" perrow="9" caption="Notable George Mason University alumni Include:">
File:Rep. Don Beyer, official portrait (118th Congress).jpg|[[Don Beyer]], Member of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[Virginia]]'s [[Virginia's 8th congressional district|8th]] district.<ref>{{cite web|website=Mason Spirit|last=Rich|first=Colleen Kearney|title=From the Archives: What's in a Name?|url=http://spirit.gmu.edu/2012/04/from-the-archives-whats-in-a-name/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rich |first=Colleen Kearney |title=From the Archives: What's in a Name? |url=http://spirit.gmu.edu/2012/04/from-the-archives-whats-in-a-name/ |website=Mason Spirit}}</ref>
File:Ken Cuccinelli official photo.jpg|[[Ken Cuccinelli]], former [[attorney general of Virginia]] and [[United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security|deputy secretary of Homeland Security]]
File:Charniele Herring VA Delegate Dec 2010.jpg|[[Charniele Herring]], Majority Leader of the [[Virginia House of Delegates]]
File:Karl Rove.jpg|[[Karl Rove]], senior advisor, President George W. Bush
File:Sheriff's House Welcome Center Ribbon Cutting (2e9a4eab-9a7c-47fc-826d-375997671ceb) (cropped).jpg|[[Bethany Hall-Long]], former [[Governor of Delaware]]
File:Denise Turner Roth GSA.jpg|[[Denise Turner Roth]], former administrator, [[General Services Administration]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Denise Turner Roth – Administrator |url=http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/100046 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126011335/http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/100046 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |access-date=12 November 2016 |publisher=[[General Services Administration]]}}</ref>
File:Moore Riley 119th Congress (cropped2).jpg|[[Riley Moore]], Member of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[West Virginia]]'s [[West Virginia's 2nd congressional district|2nd]] district
File:David Jolly.jpg|[[David Jolly]], Member of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[Florida]]'s [[Florida's 13th congressional district|13th]] district
File:Steve Ricchetti.jpg|[[Steve Ricchetti]], former [[Counselor to the President]] under President [[Joe Biden]]
File:Anna Escobedo Cabral, official Treasury photo.jpg|[[Anna Escobedo Cabral]], former [[Treasurer of the United States]]
File:Kathleen L. Casey official portrait.jpg|[[Kathleen L. Casey]], former commissioner, [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]
File:Zainab Salbi.jpg|[[Zainab Salbi]], former president of [[Women for Women International]]
File:Justin Bour 2018.jpg|[[Justin Bour]], former professional baseball player, [[Los Angeles Angels]], [[Miami Marlins]], and [[Philadelphia Phillies]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>
File:GutenCarolynForonda1.jpg|[[Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda]], former [[poet laureate of Virginia]]
File:Christine Fox.jpg|[[Christine Fox]], former acting [[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-06 |title=Christine Fox, from 'Legs' to top woman at the Pentagon |url=http://scoopdeck.navytimes.com/2013/12/06/christine-fox-from-legs-to-top-woman-at-the-pentagon/ |access-date=2019-03-30 |website=The Scoop Deck |language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Warfare Expert Christine Fox—Fighter Pilots Call Her "Legs"—Inspires the New Movie Top Gun |url=https://people.com/archive/air-warfare-expert-christine-fox-fighter-pilots-call-her-legs-inspires-the-new-movie-top-gun-vol-24-no-6/ |access-date=2019-03-30 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>
File:Abdiweli Mohamed Ali - 2012-02-27 at 12-35-51.jpg|[[Abdiweli Gaas]], former [[prime minister of Somalia|Prime Minister of Somalia]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gettleman |first=Jeffrey |date=2011-06-23 |title=Harvard-Educated Technocrat Chosen as Somalia Premier |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/world/africa/24somalia.html |access-date=2024-07-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
File:Dr. Abdirahman M Abdi.jpg|[[Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi Hashi]], former Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy in the [[Federal Government of Somalia]].
File:Mohammad Khazae.jpg|[[Mohammad Khazaee]], former representative, [[Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran]] to the [[United Nations]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Permanent Representative of Iran Presents Credentials |url=https://press.un.org/en/2007/bio3895.doc.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=UN }}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
File:Jim Hagedorn, official portrait, 116th Congress.jpg|[[Jim Hagedorn]], Member of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[Minnesota]]'s [[Minnesota's 1st congressional district|1st]] district
File:Mark A. Calabria official portrait.jpg|[[Mark A. Calabria]], former [[Chief Statistician of the United States]] at the [[Office of Management and Budget]] (OMB), and former Director of the [[Federal Housing Finance Agency]] (FHFA)
File:Archie-Kao-Esquire-2016 (cropped).jpg|[[Archie Kao]], actor 
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[George Mason University's historical hoaxes]]
* [[Northern Virginia Community College]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|George_Mason_University.ogg|date=January 16, 2006}}
* {{Official website}}

{{George Mason University}}
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