Alumni

Katie Richards, BA ’12, MFA ’21, senior graduate program coordinator in George Mason University’s Higher Education Program, was recently named poet laureate of Prince William County. Richards’s proposal for the role focused on making poetry accessible to community members with disabilities.

Erica King, who earned both her BS and PhD in bioengineering from George Mason University, received the prestigious 2026 Cosmos Scholars Prize for her innovative research on wearable ultrasound technology. 

Martin (Marty) Abruzzo excels as student services coordinator and academic advisor in George Mason University's School of Integrative Studies (SIS). A vital part of the school, Abruzzo has helped more than 7,000 students since joining the department in 2018. In addition to advising, Marty teaches several classes including INTS 391 Understanding Integrative Studies, CHSS 101 CHSS First Year Experience, INTS 395 College to Career, and UNIV 100 Introduction to Mason.  

Three George Mason alumni discussed transforming their military experiences into works of art during a panel discussion at the 2026 International Writers Festival presented by George Mason’s Alan Cheuse International Writers Center.

Julie Gall, PhD Criminology, Law and Society ’14, has used her training at George Mason to build a career preparing the region’s emergency response systems for the unexpected. Today, she serves as manager of public safety programs for Northern Virginia Emergency Response System (NVERS).

In July, George Mason University alumnus Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94, was elected rector of George Mason’s Board of Visitors (BOV), after previously serving as vice rector. Shrivastava is president and CEO of federal consulting and software development company Unissant. He has served in many capacities at George Mason, including past chair of the George Mason University Foundation Board of Trustees and past president of the Alumni Association board.  

Earlier this year, Doreen Joseph, BS CYSE '19, earned her private pilot's license while completing a PhD in computer science at the University of California, Davis. It might seem like an unusual pairing, but for Joseph, flying reflects the same mindset that has guided her education and career: embracing challenges before she feels completely ready. 

The George Mason University Alumni Association’s annual Celebration of Distinction recognizes outstanding alumni, faculty members, and students.  Since 1975, the George Mason University Alumni Association has recognized alumni, faculty, and students for outstanding achievement, service, and leadership at its annual Celebration of Distinction.  

Guylaine Saint Juste, BA International Studies ’94, understands education’s power. Raised in Haiti and the first in her family to attend college, Saint Juste put herself through college while working full-time, attending class two nights a week. It took her seven years to graduate. One generation later, she was able to give her daughters a very different experience—the opportunity to attend college full time with their education paid for.

Nyah Collier, BSN ’15, brings her interests in patient care, epidemiology, and public health together at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.