College of Public Health

Northern Virginia Magazine named Melissa Perry, Dean of the College of Public Health, one of the area’s top 50 most influential people of 2024. The top 50 list recognizes those who are making a difference in Northern Virginia and giving back to their community.

New findings published in the Journal for Applied Gerontology by College of Public Health researchers suggest that personalized music intervention, especially with songs from adolescence and early adulthood, is effective at reducing the use of medication, alleviating agitation levels, and enhancing mood and social engagement among nursing home residents living with dementia.

While working on their master’s degrees in social work at George Mason University, College of Public Health alumni Kendall Barrett, Madeline Holden, and Harveen Pantleay took part in field research on ageism in health care and are now using those skills in their careers.

The George Mason College of Public Health has achieved major advancements in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, marking a moment of recognition for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation in health education. The institution proudly announces that five of its programs are now ranked among the top 100 in their respective fields, with two distinguished graduate degrees—the Master of Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)—securing positions within the top 10.

Kayla Moore sees testing for sexually transmitted diseases as a key part of public health, and the doorway to a healthy community. Moore is currently getting her Master of Clinical Social Work at George Mason University’s College of Public Health, and in recognition of the 25th anniversary of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, has organized a two-part event at Mason’s Fairfax Campus that speaks to public health.

A George Mason University multidisciplinary research team recently received $5,000 in funding from the VentureWell Accelerator to continue to develop their app iCONNECT SUD.

College of Public Health students learn about the emerging field of equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) in associate clinical professor Vicki Kirsch’s advanced Trauma and Recovery course.

Master of Social Work Advanced Level students are training to recognize distressing experiences that may have occurred in a client’s past and how to provide specific treatments based on their individual needs. 

McKenzie Lauber is graduating from George Mason University this month with a bachelor of social work degree and a minor in criminology.

For the College of Public Health's first National Public Health Week, Dean Melissa Perry discusses the importance of violence prevention with several Master of Social Work students.