In This Story
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As we celebrate Public Health Thank You Day (Monday, November 24) I want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for all that you do to support our students and advance our mission. Your dedication to teaching, mentorship, research, and service continues to define our college and to strengthen the university’s standing as a national leader in access and opportunity. Thank you.
Because of your work and commitment, George Mason is recognized among the highest tier of “High Access, High Opportunity” universities. We are one of only 21 R1 institutions—and the only institution in Virginia—to achieve this designation. This classification affirms what we’ve known for a long time: our graduates not only earn degrees, but also achieve meaningful upward mobility in their lives and careers. This designation reflects your ongoing commitment to open doors for students from all backgrounds, create outstanding learning experiences, and ensure their long-term success after graduation.
I see our faculty in the many mentors that made a lasting impact on my own academic journey, and I am so grateful to you. Your ongoing mentorship, innovation, and care contribute to the strong outcomes that have made us a national model for economic mobility and educational excellence. Across our college, you make this mission real every day by offering outstanding student support, fostering academic achievement, creating hands-on learning and research opportunities, and nurturing lifelong connections with our alumni.
As we mark Public Health Thank You Day today and look forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving break, I want to thank you for the professionalism, compassion, and dedication you bring to our students and community. The college is stronger than ever, and we have much to be proud of, including earning CEPH accreditation, growing our research enterprise, and fostering a welcoming environment for all. Together, we are shaping a future where opportunity and achievement go hand in hand. Thank you for your dedication to building healthier futures for all.
With gratitude,
Melissa J. Perry, ScD, MHS
Dean, College of Public Health