Kick-off Meeting of the Board and Supporters of George Mason University’s GovCon Initiative

On May 4^th a reception was held for Board of Advisors and supporters of the GovCon Initiative at George Mason University’s School of Business. The reception took place at the home of Dr. John Hillen, Chairman of the Board and the Executive in Residence and Professor of Practice at George Mason University’s School of Business.

The GovCon Initiative was established to build a distinct academic competency in the business of Government and Government Contracting at Mason’s School of Business.

“So many of our students work in the Federal Government or the Government Contracting industry headquartered right here in Northern Virginia – it just makes perfect sense now that the industry is so large and diverse for Mason to increase its unique academic competency in this marketplace,” said Dr. Sarah Nutter, Dean of the School of Business.

“By dedicating even more resources in the School of Business to teaching, researching, hosting conferences, and publishing on the unique business issues in the GovCon market, Mason can help create a more efficient and effective market for the public good, ” Dr. John Hillen, Chairman of the GovCon Initiative Advisory Board and Executive in Residence added.

The $500 billion a year industry is largely based in Northern Virginia and some estimates are that the federal government or government contractors employ one in every six white collar professionals in the area. Hillen estimates that more than 10,000 Mason alumni are working in the sector.

Those involved in the initiative recognize that having a state of the art program on the biggest local industry would be a competitive advantage for the University and would help create a more efficient and effective market for the public good.

“Over the last 30 years, I have benefitted personally and professionally from both the George Mason School of Business and the GovCon industry,” says Dusty Wince, Mason School of Business Alumnae and current Vice President and Division Manager of ManTech International. “Amazingly, the stars aligned enabling me the opportunity to make a positive impact to Mason while accelerating the establishment of the GovCon Initiative.”

The Initiative’s academic program would allow Mason students to develop expertise in industry through a specialized curriculum, research grants, internship and career placement opportunities, and several fellowship and scholarships.

“Having lived within miles of Mason since elementary school, and being a proud Alumni, it is very exciting to see this Initiative come to fruition,” says Sumeet Shrivastava, GovCon Initiative Advisory Board Member and Incoming Mason Business Alumni Chapter President. “The GovCon marketplace is a core industry for our region, and the nation, and is ripe for the kinds of resources and competencies that can be brought to bear by an internationally recognized research institution like Mason.”