Our College

From the Dean

Every now and then, a year comes along that changes everything. For the College of Public Health, this has been one of those years—a year of breakthroughs, growth, and profound impact. Together, we are redefining what it means to lead public health in Virginia and beyond.

One of our proudest milestones was earning full accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), making us the first and only CEPH-accredited college of public health in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This historic recognition affirms our commitment to excellence, innovation, and health equity for all. It reflects who we are—and the future we are building together. Additionally, George Mason was one of only 21 R1 institutions in the country to be recognized as a high access—high earnings university by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Our faculty and students are driving real change, advancing research in intimate partner violence, forever chemicals, mental health, and the public health workforce. They’re doing this work where it matters most: in communities, clinics, schools, and homes. Through community-based research, hands-on internships with leading health organizations, and scholarships that open doors, we are equipping students to lead in an evolving health landscape.

I know how life-changing these opportunities can be. As a former Pell Grant recipient, I remember what it felt like to wonder whether I could afford to stay in school. I am grateful for those who believed in me and my potential. I see myself in so many of our students, and I am deeply committed to ensuring they have the support, mentorship, and resources they need to thrive. Their success is our mission—and our legacy.

This year, I continued learning, too. I completed my MBA at George Mason’s Costello College of Business, returning to the classroom to grow as a public health leader. Balancing this journey with raising children and leading a college reminded me: learning is lifelong, leadership is ever-evolving, and community is our greatest source of strength. As the only dean or senior university leader who is also a George Mason alum, I hope my path inspires others—especially our students—to pursue their goals with courage and curiosity.

Our dedicated faculty, staff, and partners are powering this momentum. And our students? They are shaping the future of public health. With them, we are ready for what’s next.

Together, we can do this.

With pride and gratitude,

Melissa Perry, ScD, MHS, MBA
Inaugural Dean, College of Public Health
George Mason University

Students by Department

98% of students

participated in an experiential learning opportunity, gaining first-hand knowledge through research, practicums, clinicals, and internships

90% first-year year retention rate

students returned for their second year

95% of students met with an academic advisor

"George Mason has a special way of showing you that you’re not alone, that you’re part of something greater. Even through a computer screen [as an online student], I felt connected to my professors, my classmates, and the incredible community we’ve built here." 

Rocío Rodríguez-Morales, MSW '25
CPH Spring Degree Celebration speaker and first-generation student.

“I commend George Mason University’s College of Public Health for earning full accreditation to advance its work in crucial issue areas such as infectious diseases, mental health, opioid misuse, aging, the well-being of health care workers, and so much more.” 

Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator (D-Va)

This milestone affirms their commitment to rigorous academic standards, exceptional faculty expertise, and the resources needed to deliver an outstanding education. It also ensures that their graduates are well prepared for the workforce, opening doors to vital credentials, competitive career paths, and opportunities in government, private, non-profit, and new innovative jobs in all sectors. CEPH accreditation is foundational to advancing public health excellence, equity, and impact in Virginia and beyond.”

-Laura Magaña, PhD, President & CEO,
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health

Awards

• Master of Health Administration program
  Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education/George and Regi Herzlinger Innovation Education Award for the Development of Educational Skills Focusing on Invention, Evaluation, and Adoption of Innovation in Healthcare
• Carolyn Drews-Botsch, GCH professor 
  Career Accomplishment Award from Society for Epidemiologic Research 
  Mentoring Award from Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research
• Katherine Scafide, SON associate professor 
  Ann Burgess Forensic Nursing Research Award from the International Association of Forensic Nurses
• Dongqing Wang, GCH assistant professor 
  American Society for Nutrition’s Early Career Research Award Competition winner

University Honors

• Lawrence Cheskin, NFS 
  Elevated to George Mason’s highest level, Distinguished University Professor
• Denise Hines, SW 
  Appointed Elisabeth Shirley Enochs Endowed Professor

Books

• Denise Hines, SW professor  
  Co-editor, The Routledge Handbook of Men’s Victimization in Intimate Relationships
• Carol Cleaveland, SW associate professor 
  Co-author, Private Violence: Latin American Women and the Struggle for Asylum 
  Won 2025 Professional and Scholarly Excellence Award in the category of Applied Psychology and Social Work by the Association of American Publishers

Ten years ago, visionary faculty from the School of Nursing answered a powerful call—to give back to the community, to lead by example, and to meet the need for free and low-cost health care in Northern Virginia. From that call, the Mason and Partners (MAP) interprofessional clinics were born.

What began as a mission to serve has grown into a beacon of hope and health for thousands. These free, bridge-care model clinics have become lifelines for vulnerable populations in low-income and medically underserved areas. The clinics have expanded the services they deliver over the years, now offering essential services like health care, school physicals, screenings, mental health support, and medication assisted treatment.

The clinics are also living classrooms. Students gain hands-on experience, learning not just how to treat, but how to care with compassion, cultural humility, and purpose.

Congratulations and thank you for 10 years of impact in our local community.

“As I reflect on the past decade, MAP stands as a model for what health care can look like when it is rooted in equity, powered by education, and responsive to the evolving needs of the communities it serves. We are proud of what has been built and deeply committed to our mission.” 

Rebecca Sutter
MAP Clinics director
SON professor

Supported By

Federal, state, and local partners including Centers for Disease Control, Health Resources and Services Administration, Northern Virginia Health Foundation, Potomac Health Foundation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

“As a financially strapped new immigrant, it was amazing to have the opportunity to transfer my credits from a community college to George Mason. My successful experience as a student, despite being the first in my family to go to college, gave me the confidence to take on any challenge.”

Elma Levy, BSN '91
Dovel Technologies
Co-founder