Costello College of Business News

While most students were taking a break from their studies this summer, the student managers of Patriot Real Estate Funds raised $1.25 million for the second student-managed real estate investment fund at George Mason University. The Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship (CREE) at the School of Business established the initial student-managed real estate investment fund in 2018 to provide students of the Masters in Real Estate Development (MRED) program  a unique experiential learning opportunity. With real money raised from outside investors, this is one of only a few similar programs offered at universities across the country, and allows students the chance to study, recommend, and manage investments in commercial real estate properties in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.

Ajay Vinzé, the new dean of George Mason University’s School of Business, recently sat down for an interview, discussing his vision for the school, his background, his thoughts on education and his Instagram account for his dog. He joined Mason July 1.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 19, members of the School of Business Alumni Chapter, joined by Dean Ajay Vinzé, took time out of their busy schedules to give back to the local community. At the Food for Others warehouse in Fairfax, the group assembled hundreds of power packs of food for students facing food insecurity.

Long before COVID was a household word, Dr. Ajay Vinzé, now dean of Mason’s business school, helped pioneer a collaboration with public-health officials in Maricopa County, Arizona, to help predict possible outcomes of various interventions as part of research on pandemic response. Vinzé calls this nearly decade-long partnership “a major part of my research and professional journey.”

Alumni share their advice to fellow alumni.

Brian Ngac and Nirup Menon, from the information systems and operations management area at the School of Business, were recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) located in Arlington, Virginia. This Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Grant was awarded for their proposal to develop a new experiential learning program that will engage students and companies from the Commonwealth.

The George Mason University Board of Visitors (BOV) elected a new rector and welcomed four new members Friday, July 29, as part of the governing body’s annual two-day planning conference and meeting.

The School of Business recently welcomed nine new board members to the Dean’s Advisory Council. The council acts as a partnership between the school and business leaders in order to deepen the business community’s participation in the development of Mason business students. Members of the council represent a variety of industries and provide a real world perspective that ensures the school’s program curricula meet current industry needs.

Alumni can play a critical role in the growth and success of our students as they begin their professional and career development journeys. If you are looking to get involved with Mason and give back to students, the Office of Career Services has a number of opportunities for you to choose from.

Communicating effectively and being able to think on her feet are two ways Jordan Dockery has grown as a Student Ambassador at George Mason University School of Business. Dockery, who is a senior studying marketing, says her favorite topic to discuss with prospective students is study abroad opportunities.