During the summer months, in preparation for the start of the fall semester, George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) runs through an extensive checklist to get all campuses ready. From landscaping upkeep to classroom refreshes to updating signage, F&CO ensures that each experience on campus is one of quality. Below are just some examples of how F&CO handles the operations of making George Mason University run smoothly.
Special shoutout to all wage and classified staff members of the Waste/Recycling team! Your support has played a significant role in Kevin being able to achieve what he has.
Celebrating Kevin Brim as the September 2025 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Kevin Brim, Waste/Recycling Supervisor, for being recognized as the September 2025 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Brim was nominated by Gordon Landsdown, Zone 3 Supervisor, and Angel Washington, Customer Service Supervisor.
Constantly going above and beyond his duties, Brim has exemplified the spirit of environmental stewardship across our campuses by finding ways to reduce waste and promote sustainable practices. He's played an important role in shaping university-wide waste reduction strategies, and his contributions have resulted in notable improvements in our sustainability metrics. “Kevin’s innovative approach, steady leadership, and deep commitment to environmental progress make him not only a valuable asset to the university but also a role model for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact.” Said Washington.
In addition to his unwavering commitment to day-to-day operations, he has also fostered a supportive workplace culture rooted in accountability and integrity. His and his team's efforts are felt not only within the F&CO complex, but throughout George Mason University as a whole.
Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!
Congratulations to George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations’ (F&CO) very own Land Development team for a successful audit held by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program. The MS4 permit program is designed to address the unique challenges associated with urban and suburban areas, where stormwater can pick up pollutants from various sources and ultimately discharge into local water bodies. Beginning in 2008, the MS4 program at George Mason University has protected the quality of our stormwater runoff and Best Management Practices (BMPs) across the Fairfax and SciTech campuses.
The DEQ issues two types of MS4 permits, General and Individual permits. General Permits are issued to general discharges and have standardized requirements. Individual permits are customized for the specific needs and conditions of the site. Under the general permit, F&CO’s Land Development team implements, and enforces the MS4 program to follow these 6 minimum control measures:
Despite critical staffing shortages, Zhongyan (Jane) Xu, Land Development Manager, has been able to successfully manage the MS4 Program.
“Our MS4 program is really a team effort across the board, it involves Facilities Administration, Facilities Maintenance, University Sustainability, and students.” said Xu. “I think students are a very important part of this and it's where we’re very unique.”
“I really enjoyed being part of the outreach activities where the students and the community had the chance to prepare a mini rain garden and take them home as a souvenir.” Said Brenda Claudio, Project Manager. “Students were explained about the SWM facilities and how they work removing pollutants for water quality and provide storage for water quantity at sites. By doing mini rain gardens the students were exposed to visualize how the raingardens operate.”
The 40-page audit consisted of 155 notes with only one minor correction item due for completion mid-August 2025.
Beginning in 2023, Facilities & Campus Operations launched a new Internship Program. This program offers students the opportunity to gain real, hands-on work experience. Here’s a look at our past interns since completing our summer program.
How’re you doing?
I am doing really well — time really does fly, I feel like it was yesterday that I was interning at F&CO.
What are you currently doing professionally?
For the past year, I have been working at Wolters Kluwer as a field marketing specialist, where I research and execute our third-party events — from small executive dinners to large trade shows and conferences — with the goal of driving leads for our sales team.
Where are you based?
I am based out of New York City.
What have you learned during your time here with Facilities & Campus Operations that you still use today?
In addition to the tools like Canva and the Adobe Creative Suite that I still use today, I also learned how to optimize social media posts to engage a specific audience through copy and design; back then, it was students/faculty, today it is finance professionals!
Any fond memories of F&CO?
One of my many fond F&CO memories is a post-pandemic golf cart tour around campus with Ariel, who I feel lucky to still have as a mentor, always encouraging Micaela and me to try new things and take initiative. Special shoutout to Chris Freas who gave us the opportunity to work in social at Facilities. I’m also grateful to F&CO for introducing me to Micaela, who is still one of my closest friends since we started as interns in 2020!
I’m doing great! There have been a lot of exciting changes in my life lately, and I’m really grateful for the new opportunities coming my way.
What are you currently doing professionally?
I recently stepped into a new role at VISA as a Global Marketing Operations Analyst. In this position, I support the VISA Commercial Solutions marketing team by managing strategic planning, performance reporting, and budget coordination.
Where are you based?
I’m currently based in Northern Virginia.
What have you learned during your time here with Facilities & Campus Operations that you still use today?
Facilities & Campus Operations taught me so much in my two years there. The hands-on experience I gained with email marketing, from strategy to execution, still informs how I approach digital communications today. I also picked up skills in Adobe Photoshop and Canva that I continue to use regularly- these became second nature thanks to my time with the team.
Any fond memories of F&CO?
Absolutely! I still vividly remember the tour of the new water tower during my second week as an intern! It was such a unique behind-the-scenes experience. However, what I cherish most are the people- Ariel Sierra was and still is a mentor to me, and my coworker Emma Barton-Schwartz, who I met during my internship, has become one of my closest friends. We still talk almost every day!
How are you doing?
I’ve been doing alright! I recently graduated in 2024 with a BFA in Graphic Design. Very excited for future opportunities that’ll stem from it.
What are you doing now?
After my summer internship wrapped up last year, I was offered the opportunity to continue working at F&CO as a Comms & Marketing Admin. I’m still incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my work here!
Where are you based?
I’m based in NOVA, about 15-20 minutes outside of DC.
What did you learn during your time with Facilities & Campus Operations that you still use today?
I learned a lot of things so far from my time here! It’s impossible to list them all. Aside from allowing me to improve my design and photography skills, I learned how to be a better and more effective communicator, especially in an office setting. I’ve also learned a lot about running and managing social media accounts, which is something I would have never figured out on my own!
Any fond memory of F&CO?
I have a lot of fond memories from F&CO! I’m really grateful for the work environment I have, which is so full of mundane and silly things that happen on a daily basis. I also love the moments I’m able to capture within F&CO on camera.
Out of everything, though, as someone who started as an intern, I’ve really loved interacting and helping out with the interns who have joined the program after me. It’s something I’ll forever have a soft spot for. I always appreciate when they stop by and say hi!
I have been doing great recently! Since graduation, I have been working as a Project Engineer at a general contractor, Ulliman Schutte Construction. We specialize in construction specifically related to water treatment plants, pump stations, and many other public water infrastructure projects. I am currently based at the Blue Plains AWWTP in Washington, DC.
How are you doing?
I'm doing well. Life has been busy but fulfilling! I've recently graduated with my bachelor's degree in psychology, and I'm excited about the next chapter.
What are you currently doing professionally?
I’m currently working as a Human Resources Assistant with F&CO while preparing to begin my master’s program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at George Mason. I’m continuing to grow my experience in HR while building toward a future in applied research or consulting.
Where are you based?
I'm based in Northern Virginia, staying close to the Mason community.
What have you learned during your time here with Facilities & Campus Operations that you still use today?
One of the biggest takeaways from my time with F&CO has been the importance of clear communication and collaboration across teams. It taught me how to manage competing priorities while supporting both new hires and seasoned staff. That balance between structure and flexibility is something I carry with me in every professional setting.
Any fond memories of F&CO?
Absolutely! I’ve really enjoyed helping with recruitment and campus-wide events such as career fairs. It’s always rewarding to be part of someone’s first impression of Mason. But beyond that, it’s the people I’ve worked with who made my time so memorable. The support, mentorship, and humor shared among the team made even the busiest days enjoyable.
How are you doing?
I am doing very well!
What are you currently doing professionally?
I recently graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Communication and am currently in the process of job hunting. I specialize in multimedia production such as graphic design, photography, and videography.
Where are you based?
I am based in Springfield, Virginia.
What have you learned during your time here with Facilities & Campus Operations that you still use today?
I learned more about the video production process from start to finish. One of my projects during the internship was to create three videos spotlighting specific members of C3 (the Culture Champion Committee). This entailed scheduling dates and times to film the individual’s sit-down interview as well as b-roll of them doing their jobs, setting up the camera, audio, and lighting, condensing the interview into 3-5 minutes, and editing the appropriate b-roll of them working over their voice. My previous experience was mainly at the post-production (editing) level, and my internship at Mason Facilities was an excellent way for me to become more well-versed in pre-production and preparation for video shoots.
Any fond memories of F&CO?
My favorite memory during my time at Mason Facilities was visiting the Arlington Campus for the FUSE Tour. We got to see the construction site and hear about all the progress they made and all that they planned to build.
Celebrating Yaw Tenkorang as the August 2025 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Yaw Tenkorang, Waste/Recycle Worker, for being recognized as the August 2025 Employee of the Month! Tenkorang was nominated by Kevin Brim, Waste/Recycling Supervisor.
Due to his exceptional performance and leadership skills, Yaw has demonstrated that not only is he an incredible team player, but also an essential asset to the university as a whole, along with his team. Since accepting additional responsibilities without hesitation in March 2025, Tenkorang has demonstrated an incredible work ethic that has surpassed typical expectations. His all-hands support and hard work have been featured in various high-impact departmental events, including but not limited to Mason Day, Patriot Packout, and commencement.
“Yaw's initiative, leadership, and consistent delivery during critical periods demonstrate his value as both a team contributor and management enabler.” Said Brim. “I look forward to his continued progress and our department's ongoing improvement under his influence.”
Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!
Celebrating Pricilla Morris as the July 2025 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Priscilla Morris, Customer Center Specialist, for being recognized as the July 2025 Employee of the Month! Morris was nominated by Angel Washington, Customer Service Center Manager.
Since joining the CSC department two years ago, Morris has proven to be an invaluable asset to the team. Despite the challenge of their previous staffing shortage, Morris’s incredible commitment, work ethic, and positive attitude have had a significant impact in ensuring the smooth function within the CSC department.
“Over the past six months, as we have faced staffing shortages, Priscilla has willingly taken on additional responsibilities without hesitation or complaint.” Said Washington. “Priscilla’s commitment and work ethic truly exemplify the qualities we seek to celebrate in an Employee of the Month, and I believe she deserves this recognition.”
Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!
Special shoutout to Erich Miller for leading the project!
During Summer 2025, George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) completed a one-month renovation of the volleyball court flooring located in the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC) on the Fairfax Campus. Owned and maintained by F&CO, the RAC’s upgrade features a modernized design showcasing the new university logo in the middle of the court, as well as our new George Mason green. The refresh also incorporates the natural wood flooring into the design. For the very first time, the logo was applied as a vinyl decal rather than being hand-painted, and is expected to last much longer than paint, as the decals are applied before the final seal.
Celebrating Abel Cason as the June 2025 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Abel Cason, Plumber III, Zone 6, for being recognized as the June 2025 Employee of the Month! Cason was nominated by Ron Fasso, Evening Shift Operations Supervisor, Zone 6.
“Abel Cason always goes above and beyond when executing work orders.” Said Fasso. “Abel not only addresses the primary issue, but he also checks the surrounding areas for relevant deficiencies.”
As prevalent among “kudos” emails, Cason’s positive attitude and willingness to help his fellow technicians have not gone unnoticed, and play a key role in maintaining our campus operations.
Interested in submitting a GMU Facilities Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!
