CHSS Digest

May 7, 2026

CHSS Digest May 7, 2026

Welcome to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences bi-weekly newsletter!

For the most up-to-date information, visit the CHSS website.

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The next issue of CHSS Digest will be published on May 21. View the full CHSS Digest schedule

George Mason funds catalyst research projects for the Grand Challenge Initiative

As the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative enters its second year, George Mason University announced funding for seven catalyst research projects, including “AI‑Powered Human Rights Education for All” led by Cher Weixia Chen, associate professor in the School of Integrative Studies, and supported by a cross‑disciplinary team that includes Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron, associate professor in the School of Integrative Studies. Laura Aileen Sauls, assistant professor in the Global Affairs Program, will participate as a team member on the George Mason University Space Center project. Read the full project descriptions to learn more about each initiative and the members of the interdisciplinary teams.

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Announcements & Resources
CHSS students explore wide-ranging topics at Undergraduate Research Symposium

CHSS students explore wide-ranging topics at Undergraduate Research Symposium

Students from across the College of Humanities and Social Sciences shared original research spanning disciplines, methods, and real-world impact at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. From artificial intelligence and campus safety to global economics and social media's influence on voters, the event highlighted the breadth of student scholarship and the skills gained through hands-on research.

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Meet the CHSS Outstanding Grads

Meet the CHSS Outstanding Grads

These graduating students were nominated by their departments for their academic achievements and contributions to their respective fields. Please join us in celebrating the Spring 2026 outstanding graduates of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

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Spring 2026 CHSS degree celebration

Spring 2026 CHSS degree celebration

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will host the CHSS Degree Celebration on May 16 at 2 p.m. in the EagleBank Arena to honor our bachelor's and master's graduates.

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A place for the liberal arts in an age of smart machines

A place for the liberal arts in an age of smart machines

CHSS Dean Ann Ardis shares why education in the social sciences and the humanities matters more than ever in this age of increasingly smart machines.

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Did you know?

Did you know?

George Mason faculty and staff age 62 or older, with at least five years of service, automatically have a lifetime life‑insurance policy as part of their George Mason benefits.

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Remind your students about George Mason University Foundation scholarships

Remind your students about George Mason University Foundation scholarships

Please let your students know that George Mason University Foundation scholarships are available and are open to all continuing undergraduates, admitted transfers, and graduate students.

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Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity
FY2026 Faculty Research and Development Awards

FY2026 Faculty Research and Development Awards

Faculty Research and Development Awards Seed Funding Leading to External Funding (FRDA Seed Funds), funded by CHSS, are short-term awards that are designed to help CHSS tenured and tenure-track faculty initiate new programs of research and scholarship or enhance existing ones. CHSS awarded six FRDA Seed Funds this Spring.

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Hanover Research Grants Learning Center

Hanover Research Grants Learning Center

If you are looking for resources or if you are new to preparing grant applications, then the Hanover Grants Learning Center may be just what you are looking for. This resource is particularly helpful if you are new to NIH or NSF CAREER awards and would like to better understand the grant submission process. 

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IIR Leaving and Belonging Symposium brings together arts and migration communities

IIR Leaving and Belonging Symposium brings together arts and migration communities

The symposium officially launched the IIR’s new strength in arts, culture, and storytelling, which complements its longtime focus on the gathering and dissemination of quantitative data about immigrant contributions to the United States.

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Mason Writes puts student research center stage

Mason Writes puts student research center stage

At the Mason Writes symposium, students took their research beyond the classroom, showcasing projects shaped by Mason Core composition courses and driven by personal and academic curiosity.

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Faculty, Staff, Student & Alumni Recognition
Creative Writing’s Vivek Narayanan and Jessica Anthony awarded prestigious Guggenheim Fellowships

Creative Writing’s Vivek Narayanan and Jessica Anthony awarded prestigious Guggenheim Fellowships

George Mason's Creative Writing Program associate professor Vivek Naranayan and alumna Jessica Anthony, MFA ’04, have been named 2026 Guggenheim Fellows.

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Two CHSS faculty members named Fulbright U.S. Scholars for 2026-27 academic year

Two CHSS faculty members named Fulbright U.S. Scholars for 2026-27 academic year

Professor Lisa Gilman in the Department of English and Associate Professor Jennifer Ashley from the Global Affairs Program have received U.S. Fulbright Scholar Awards for the 2026-27 academic year.

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CHSS honored with Excellence in Assessment Awards

CHSS honored with Excellence in Assessment Awards

The undergraduate anthropology program and English associate professor Courtney Adams Wooten were honored with Excellence in Assessment Awards from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.

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CHSS RLC recognized as Best Residential Learning Community

CHSS RLC recognized as Best Residential Learning Community

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences' Residential Learning Community (RLC) recently received the award for Best Residential Learning Community at the University Life Housing Awards ceremony.

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BIS alum Sumeya Gibril creates nonprofit to support survivors of abuse

BIS alum Sumeya Gibril creates nonprofit to support survivors of abuse

Sumeya Gibril, BIS '23, a graduating master’s student in the Schar School of Policy and Government, created a nonprofit last May called the Rise Above & Be Relentless Foundation, a 501c (3) organization that assists women navigating sexual assault and domestic abuse.

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Integrative Studies alum serving as zookeeper for new baby elephant at National Zoo

Integrative Studies alum serving as zookeeper for new baby elephant at National Zoo

Ashley Fortner, BS Integrative Studies ’17, has been an Elephant Trails keeper with the Smithsonian's National Zoo since 2019 and is currently helping with newborn Linh Mai.

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Events

Fairfax Historical Society: Creating an Informed Citizenry

Early debates over educating a new nation, with author and CML Director George D. Oberle III

Clock Icon for Saturday, May  9, 2026  1:00 PM to  2:30 PM EDTSaturday, May 9, 2026 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM EDT

CML Director, Library Historian, and Professor George Oberle will discuss his new book, Creating an Informed Citizenry: Knowledge and Democracy in the Early American Republic, spotlighting the American founders' debates over institutions of learning and their roles in forging a diverse population into a rational electorate. Hosted at Historic Oakton Schoolhouse by the Historical Society of Fairfax County.

Details
CHSS in the Media

Welcome to CHSS in the Media! Some articles may be behind a paywall. University Libraries provides direct access to current news sources. For more information, go to InfoGuides: Current News: Direct Subscriptions

Jennifer Linhart Wood, Department of English, featured on the Folger's Collation blog

Linhart Wood interviewed for Folger Shakespeare Library blog on "Early Modern Performance Beyond the Public Stage."

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Co-authored research by Irene Feng, PhD student in the Department of Psychology, is cited, and Feng is quoted in a Los Angeles Times article about dust storms

Feng expressed concern about dust storms at Coachella and the potential for valley fever, a potentially life-threatening respiratory infection she analyzed as part of the study.

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Helon Habila, Department of English, is featured in The Punch article about authors who are redefining Nigerian stories on global stage

Habila’s achievements and career are recognized among the distinguished writers spotlighted.

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