Alumni News

CHSS is proud to announce the 2025 Community and Catalysts awardees. The awards celebrate distinguished alumni, faculty, staff, and students whose leadership, research, service, and contributions have made outstanding contributions to their fields, their communities, and to the university.

Alumni Dave Alpern and Chris Helein, BA Speech Communication '91, featured in new Netflix series for their work with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Congratulations to the 2025 Celebration of Distinction awardees from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS). These outstanding CHSS alumni will be recognized on Thursday, September 18 at the 2025 Celebration of Distinction.

Mike Ickowitz, BA Communication ’03, started Patdome Productions and, since 2006, has created most George Mason gear.

From her small hometown of Ruther Glen, Virginia, to the bright lights of New York City, Gilda Squire, BA Communication ’95, has forged a career that has led Squire from the federal government through Wall Street, into book publishing, and finally landing as a powerhouse talent manager for some of entertainment’s brightest stars.

CHSS is excited to announce that the Honorable Joshua C. Fiveson, BS Administration of Justice '10 and CHSS Distinguished Alum '22, will address graduates and their guests as the alumni speaker of the upcoming degree celebration on May 16.  

Each year, the George Mason University Alumni Association celebrates the achievements of alumni at the annual Celebration of Distinction awards program. The Alumni Association recognizes five alumni for their outstanding professional achievements and service to the university, and honors the achievements of alumni from each school, college, and affinity chapter.  

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Merone Hailemeskel, BA Economics '15, MPP '17, with the 2024 CHSS G.O.L.D. - Graduate of the Last Decade award. Hailemeskel serves as the digital director and communications associate for former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. In this role, she brings almost a decade of experience working in various positions in communications, digital, and public policy.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor JeanPaul Figueroa, BA Global Affairs '17, MA '21, with the 2024 CHSS G.O.L.D. - Graduate of the Last Decade award. Figueroa is a dedicated advocate and seasoned professional committed to supporting vulnerable and at-risk populations, with a particular focus on children escaping violence.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Juan Pacheco, BSN '06, BS Biology; Psychology '13, with the 2024 CHSS alumni service award. Pacheco has invested his life working and volunteering as the East coast representative for Barrios Unidos, a youth violence prevention/intervention and community awareness organization. He is currently embarking on a journey to establish coffee farms in El Salvador to create economic development for local/regional communities.