CHSS announces alumni speakers for 2023 degree celebration ceremonies

George Mason University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is excited to announce the keynote speakers for its upcoming degree celebrations on May 18th. The celebrations will be held at EagleBank Arena, starting at 2:30 p.m. for the Humanities and Interdisciplinary Programs and 6:30 p.m. for the Social Sciences. Doors to the arena will open at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Graduates and their guests attending the degree celebrations will have the opportunity to hear from two distinguished speakers with extensive professional experience and deep ties to George Mason University.

Horace BlackmanHorace Blackman, Senior Vice President at CGI Federal, will be addressing the Humanities and Interdisciplinary Programs graduates and their guests. Mr. Blackman has over 20 years of experience working with government and public sector organizations to support their missions and deliver impactful change through business and information technology solutions. He currently leads the Defense, Intelligence, and Space Business Unit at CGI Federal, where he is responsible for strategy development and delivering business and information technology solutions to a diverse set of clients within this market. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Blackman is the rector of George Mason University’s Board of Visitors and is a 1993 CHSS alum, having earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in American Studies and English.

Sol SalinasSol Salinas, Americas and Global Group Accounts Sustainability Lead at Capgemini, will be addressing the Social Sciences graduates and their guests. Mr. Salinas is a sustainability expert and digital transformation global thought leader with 25 years of experience in all aspects of sustainability and digital transformation. He has worked across the Americas and globally on five sustainability priorities: (1) Net Zero Strategy and New Business Models; (2) Sustainable IT; (3) Sustainable Operations; (4) Sustainable Products and Services; and (5) Data for Net Zero Strategy. Mr. Salinas was one of the founders of US EPA's ENERGY STAR program and served as its Director of Strategic Planning and Brand Czar from 1991 to 2005. He has also been a Global Managing Director at Accenture, where he led a $300M global smart infrastructure and smart cities practice. Mr. Salinas earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Marketing in 1985 from CHSS.

Don't miss out on this exciting event, which will include the spirited sounds of Mason's pep band, The Green Machine and Mason’s Army ROTCH Color Guard. Congratulations to all graduates on their accomplishments, and we look forward to celebrating with you!