A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Dear CPS Community, 

Spring is here! March has been full of new beginnings and possibilities. We are so proud of our community and especially our students. In this edition, we share some news about upcoming Commencement celebrations, events happening around campus, as well as stories illustrating the impact this institution has on people in the DMV and beyond.

Warm regards,

Liesl Riddle, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Professional Studies

George Washington University

We are excited to welcome Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, a GW alum and Biden appointee, as this year’s Distinguished Speaker addressing the Class of 2023 at our College’s Celebration on May 20. Graduates will be inspired by her professional story and unique mindset.

Currently the director of the Center for Women Veterans at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Lourdes is a US Air Force veteran and an accomplished business, nonprofit management, advocacy and healthcare professional with extensive experience in leadership roles in the military, healthcare, nonprofit and tech sectors.

She builds relationships across nations, organizations, and various industry sectors and counts stakeholder management, analytical and organizational skills, and scrappiness as a part of her repertoire of talents.

Motivated and resourceful, she's drawn to mission driven organizations who also believe in making a positive impact in local communities & around the world. She brings her breadth of experience, skills and network to bear when helping to solve challenging problem sets, constantly redefining what's possible.

Learn more about the CPS 2023 Commencement speaker

2023 graduates, the countdown to our May 20 CPS Celebration is on! Please visit our CPS.COMMENCEMENT.GWU.EDU CPS Commencement website and check back for more updates. 

Order Your Commencement Regalia Online by April 13: All students participating in school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall must wear regalia; active service members may wear their dress uniform in lieu of regalia. Online ordering is available through April 13; an early bird discount is available through March 30.

Vote by March 28 for Kristian Maldonado, Student Speaker Competition Finalist: Members of the Class of 2023 may now vote for your choice of a student to advance to the final round of the Commencement Student Speaker competition. Let your voice be heard and select your choice today! Voting is open from March 21-28.

New Tuition Rates for the 2023-2024 academic year have now been finalized. View the College of Professional Studies updated rates.

Please note that these rates are effective for the Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 terms. Additional information can be found on GW’s Student Accounts webpage.

It’s time to change a student’s life! Join The George Washington University community to make a difference. From providing financial aid to funding groundbreaking research and exceptional educational experiences, your generous support of the College of Professional Studies on Giving Day will educate the next generation of creators, innovators, and leaders. 

GW Giving Day

The draft positioning statements for each of the programs we workshopped in February are being reviewed by the Program Directors and the Dean for approval. This positioning, along with our key differentiators, will inform how we bring our programs to life in our various communications channels.

Additionally, the team continues to refine the CPS Mission/Vision/Values and goals as we work to reposition the College and update our key messages throughout the prospect, student, alumni and partner journey.

Dean Liesl Riddle will speak at the annual ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego on April 17th, a global conference focused on innovation in education technology. It connects leading minds focused on transforming society and business around learning and work. She is part of the distinguished panel “LEGO Towers, Not Ivory: The Power and Promise of Stackable Credentials in Higher Ed.” 

The panel will explore the possibilities and potential of incremental, skill-based and career-focused stackable credentials. Dean Riddle was invited to speak on the panel to share lessons learned as she led the build out of the large and comprehensive system of stackable credentials at the George Washington University School of Business.

GW Business & Policy Forum on Attacking Cybersecurity Risks

April 25 | 9 AM-5:30 PM: Washington, DC

Emerging technologies have become a dominant force in our society — driving economics, policy and culture, and accounting for more than US$40 trillion in global nominal GDP.

This coming spring, those driving forces will be the focus of global leaders from both the private and public sectors as they come together at The George Washington University for the first annual GW Business & Policy Forum.

Featured in GW Today, March 16

GSPM Dual Degree Dinner

March 28: 6:00 PM | Monroe Hall, 2115 G Street, Sigelman Room, 4th Floor, Washington, DC

IT Career Builder: Transitioning into the IT Field

March 30: 7:00 PM | Online

What’s Congress Really Like? Student Q&A with Rep. Maxwell Frost, Congress’s Youngest Member

April 3: 4:00 PM | Online

(Moderated by GW’s Dr. Casey Burgat, assistant professor and director, Legislative Affairs, Graduate School of Political Management)

Ugly Freedoms, Enemies Within, and Birchers: Three GW Scholars Discuss Anti-Democratic Tendencies in the Modern World

April 26: 12:00 PM-1:30 PM | Washington, DC

Toast the Network: Celebrating the Class of 2023

May 17: 6:00 PM | Washington, DC

CPS 2023 Undergraduate & Graduate Celebration

May 20: 7:00 PM | GW Main Campus, Charles E. Smith Center, Washington, D.C.

GW Commencement

May 21: 10:30 AM | The National Mall, Washington, D.C.

On Friday, March 10th, 2023, the GSPM Board of Advisors met for their once-a-semester meeting. Board members and CPS leadership brainstormed event ideas for the spring semester, and reviewed the college positioning work and new ways for GSPM alumni to mentor our students in the coming year. We look forward to an active event schedule that highlights our board members and their ongoing impact on our students and alums. More info about the GSPM Board of Advisors.

Jeff Delinski, the program director for the Homeland Security undergraduate degree program, recently participated in the 120 Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence Regional Conference. He was part of a March 1, 2023 panel session called “Safety Expansions,” covering issues such as training and gun safes. 

Organized by the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Conference was part of the 120 Initiative, named in honor of the more than 120 people who die on average each day from gun homicide or suicide. It featured interactive plenary panels and breakout sessions related to stemming gun violence in our region.

Watch the recording “AI: From the Classroom to the Courtroom" from the recent Quarterly Legal Brief presented by Toni Marsh, J.D., GW Paralegal Studies program director.

Each quarter she presents a legal brief on a timely topic. The recent webinar features how Artificial Intelligence technology is used from the classroom to the courtroom. Learn how you can stay ahead of the ever-moving curve in this crucial area.

A team of six cybersecurity bachelor’s degree students recently participated in a hands-on learning experience preparing them for the real challenges they will face in their future careers. During the invitation-only Commonwealth Cyber Fusion 2023 competition, our student team faced off against students from other Virginia colleges designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in cyber defense. 

The competition tested the limits of their knowledge with challenges ranging from introductory to advanced, while teaching concepts and providing career exploration opportunities. This annual event recognizes Cybersecurity as one of the nation’s and Commonwealth’s top priorities by supporting the growing need for a sustainable talent pipeline capable of providing skilled, industry-ready workers to meet this increasing demand. 

Learn more about the student competition

Comments from Dr. Scott White

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Scott White, associate professor of cyber security, in the article “Report: How Pinterest facilitates creation of 'sex-themed' boards featuring young girls,’’ by Jillian Smith and Dee Dee Gatton.

Comments from Dr. Todd Belt

Lilly Broadcasting quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Trump's Potential Indictment Could Have Huge Political, National Implications,’’ by Rachel Knapp.

The Hill quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Biden lays down first marker in fiscal talks with McCarthy,’’ by Alexander Bolton.

Spectrum News quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “CPAC 2023: Who is and isn't attending the influential conservative conference,’’ by Angi Gonzalez.

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Biden: Voter concerns about his age ‘totally legitimate’ as he weighs 2024 reelection,’’ by Austin Denean.

Sinclair Broadcast Group in the article “Federal debt will balloon over next decade under current policies, report says," by Cory Smith.

 Sinclair Broadcast Group in the article “Lawmakers debate SNAP benefits, work requirements as pandemic extras go away,’’ by Cory Smith

Comments from Dr. Casey Burgat

Roll Call in the article “Jan. 6 panel’s video depositions become tantalizing tool for probes,’’ by Michael Macagnone.

DC News Now, in the article “Trump expecting to be taken into custody Tuesday,’’ by: Cory James.

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “GOP, Dems draw battle lines over few swing districts,’’ by Cory Smith.

Spectrum News quoted Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Power and influence: Freshman Rep. Morgan McGarvey aims to find bipartisan solutions this term,’’ by Julia Benbrook.

Spectrum News in the article “A look at legislation Santos has introduced and co-sponsored so far,’’ by Kevin Frey.

Spectrum News in the article “Power and influence : Rep. James Comer steps into spotlight as Oversight Chair,’’ by Julia Benbrook.

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Soft on crime or side with GOP? Biden in tough spot over DC bill,’’ by Cory Smith.

Comments from Lawrence Parnell

"Sneak peek: Results from Ragan and GWU’s Government Communications & Public Affairs survey," Ragan PR Daily, by Allison Carter.

Comments from Dr. Matt Dallek

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe’’ spoke to Matthew Dallek, professor of political management, about his new book about the John Birch Society.

Vox in the article “The fringe group that broke the GOP’s brain — and helped the party win elections,’’ by Ian Ward.

The Guardian in the article “Birchers review: how the Republican far right gave us Trump and DeSantis,’’ by Lloyd Green.

Washington City Paper, Art section, Dr. Matthew Dallek's book talk at Politics and Prose.

Comments from Dr. Scott Sklar

E & E News quoted Scott Sklar, director of the Solar Institute, in the article “Ice age fossils slow massive power line for renewable energy,’’ by Scott Streater.