What’s inside?
The 345,000-square-foot facility will house faculty and students working with the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) and graduate programs from Mason’s new School of Computing alongside industry partners.
Fuse at Mason Square will include: an agile design to accommodate technology, program, and research changes, specialized labs for robotics, VR, simulation, security, and data visualization, ample convening space, including a doubleheight atrium, a public plaza for retail and outdoor public programming, and below-grade parking.
Graduate Programs at Mason Square Top U.S. News Rankings
The 2023 U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings recognized multiple graduate programs at Mason Square. Rankings included:
• #1 Part-time Law Program in the Nation among Public Universities
• #5 in the U.S. in Homeland Security
• #8 in the U.S. / #1 in Virginia for Innovation among Public Universities
• Top 25 Public Universities in Public Affairs and Public Policy Analysis
Data Analytics Engineering (DAEN) Program Increases Mason Square Presence to Connect Students to Industry Partners
Mason will soon increase course offerings in its multidisciplinary Data Analytics Engineering Program at Mason Square. The Data Analytics Engineering master of science program is the second largest in Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing, with more than 700 students enrolled in classes across three Mason campuses. The program, which focuses on developing data analytics skills that are useful in the workforce, hopes to make the most of the location and industry partnerships at Fuse.
“Mason Square is a perfect place to hold courses, especially for individuals who are returning students or lifelong learning adults, who are government employees or contractors,” says interim program director Bernard Schmidt.
Starting with the Fall 2023 semester, Schmidt said the goal is to schedule as many sections of DAEN courses at Mason Square as are offered at the Fairfax Campus.
“This offers the greatest opportunity to not only maximize the utilization of Mason Square, but it also offers more course availability options as a way to encourage those returning students and lifelong learning adults located in Northern Virginia to apply to the DAEN program and enroll in DAEN program courses,” he says.
Earlier this summer, students from the Data Analytics Engineering Program competed in the 2023 FAA Data Challenge Forum hosted at the MITRE campus in McLean. The Mason team, which was tasked with using AI strategies to navigate air travel solutions and improvements, tied for second place for their proposal “Modernized Flight Risk Assessment Tool for General Aviation Pre-Flight Planning.”
Mason Square Hosts Future of AI Roundtable
Just what is AI? This was one of the first questions posed by Missy Cummings, director of George Mason University’s Autonomy and Robotics Center, at the Future of AI roundtable in June. The invite-only roundtable, hosted by Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing, brought together university and industry leaders to explore the issues, challenges, and solutions to think about as AI technologies rapidly evolve and change.
Cummings is currently developing a new interdisciplinary program in artificial intelligence to help industry and government understand the benefits of AI, while navigating any risks. Her scholarly work will include opportunities to work with Fuse at Mason Square faculty and partners.
Newly Appointed Arlington Director of Economic Development Ryan Touhill Visits Mason Square
Mason alum and newly appointed Arlington Director of Economic Development Ryan Touhill recently toured the Mason Square Pilot Space with the University and members of the project team.
“Fuse at Mason Square will greatly enhance Mason and Arlington’s shared goal to create dynamic places where people and ideas can collide to drive innovation and economic growth,” he said after a briefing at Mason Square with university officials. “The research that is taking place at Mason in Arlington is supporting existing partners across the public and private sectors and will continue to increase Arlington’s competitive position, so we can attract new business and investment to our community.”
Northern Virginia Business and Education Leaders Meet to Discuss Workforce Challenges
On Monday, July 10, representatives from local chambers of commerce met with Virginia Superintendent Lisa Coons and other local school superintendents in Northern Virginia at the Mason Square Pilot Space to discuss the importance of the workforce in developing the talent pipeline, as well as challenges associated with chronic absenteeism.
Participants included leaders from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and Prince William Chamber of Commerce.
Mason Students Participate in AmazonNext x CodePath Program
This summer, students from George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) have been given a unique opportunity to prepare for future careers in tech through the AmazonNext x CodePath program. During the 10-week summer program, which began in June, students will gain invaluable hands-on experience by participating in CodePath’s virtual technical interview prep course and attending exclusive workshops at Amazon’s HQ2 in Crystal City. At the end of the program, students will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
The workforce program, which is free of charge, aims to jump-start careers in tech for DMV students. The application was open to all who met the requirements, with students who are Black, Latino/a, Indigenous, or first in their families to attend college encouraged to apply.
“Amazon’s investment in George Mason and NOVA accelerates the development of a diverse workready talent pipeline for Virginia,” said Liza Wilson Durant, associate provost of strategic initiatives and community engagement at Mason. “The AmazonNext program serves as a model for industry and academic partnership to deliver the workforce of the future, with technical and professional skills that respond to the demands of emerging technologies and an interdisciplinary workforce.”
Local Students Design Sustainability-Themed Murals On-Site
The Fuse at Mason Square team partnered with art students at nearby Washington-Liberty High School to design and paint a sustainability-themed mural to decorate the tree protection on the plaza. This theme is shown through the personified sun and earth, the state tree of Virginia, and the night sky.
The students, under the direction of Washington-Liberty High Art Director Hiromi Isobe, designed the panels and painted the mural on-site, dedicating several hours to the project over May and June. We appreciate their hard work and creativity!
Spring 2023 Plaza Events Recap
85 Plaza Events Hosted
1,308 Event Attendees
Outdoor Yoga
Most Popular Event
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Mason Summer Facilities Interns Tour Site
In July, we welcomed Mason Facilities interns to Fuse for a jobsite tour. Members of the project team explained the work taking place on site and answered questions from the group.
