A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Dear CPS Community and Friends,

I hope this message finds you in good health and brimming with enthusiasm as we embark on a new academic year. It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to both our new and returning students as we kick off the Fall semester.

As we enter this exciting chapter, I am thrilled to introduce our new brand campaign, 'Catalyst.' It represents the driving force that will ignite new energy and excitement within our college and the broader community. The campaign signifies our commitment to propelling innovation, growth and transformation.

Another new initiative of our College is the array of Signature Events that cut across various disciplines and offer unique opportunities for learning and networking. I am particularly excited to highlight our Professional Access Roundtables, which will take place twice a semester. These roundtables provide a platform for engaging discussions and connections, with one session held in person and another virtually each quarter.

In the realm of podcasts, we are expanding our presence with two outstanding series. The first is 'The Professionals Podcast,' where we bring you insights from industry leaders and experts. Additionally, I'm delighted to announce the relaunch of 'Mastering the Room' podcast, hosted by our esteemed program director, Casey Burgat. You can find both podcasts on Amazon Music, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Furthermore, we have forged an exciting partnership with the Washington Business Journal for a three-part series of events in the coming months. These events will focus on CPS being the premier Cybersecurity solution for learners and industry. It's a testament to our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and addressing real-world challenges.

Lastly, I want to emphasize that there is an abundance of events within the college this Fall, and I look forward to seeing you on campus and at one of our CPS Signature Events. Your presence and engagement are crucial to our shared success, and I am eager to witness the positive impact we will create together.

Let's make this Fall semester a catalyst for excellence and inspiration.

Warm regards,

Liesl Riddle, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Professional Studies

The George Washington University

Our innovative brand campaign embodies the ethos of sparking new thinking by adding friction. At the heart of this campaign lies the belief that your unique perspective and experiences are the key to your career success, but to truly become a catalyst for transformation, it requires more.

In a world where the podcasting landscape continues to grow, our College is proud to introduce an exciting trio of podcasts, each designed to engage, inspire and foster diverse conversations within our academic community. The Professionals Podcast, the relaunch of GSPM's Mastering the Room podcast and CEPL's One Humanity Lab Podcast offer unique perspectives on various facets of education, career development and global citizenship.

More info

The George Washington University's College of Professional Studies and Graduate School of Political Management have partnered with the Communications Board and Social Driver to bring you CHIEF INFLUENCER, a podcast that explores how today's successful leaders inspire and influence others.

More info

The College of Professional Studies (CPS) has partnered with the Washington Business Journal to host a Cybersecurity for the Future series of three events. The first event focused on the Cybersecurity supply chain.

More info

The College of Professional Studies is re-launching its Semester in Washington (SIW) program for summer 2024. Our SIW program is a transformative and immersive educational experience that takes place over the course of a 6-week summer semester. The program is designed to provide students with a unique opportunity to explore the heart of American government while gaining practical skills and insights into political management for course credit.

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The College is pleased to announce that Ms. Samantha Cropper joined the CPS team Sept. 18 as the Director of Constituent Engagement and Annual Giving, CPS and GSEHD. Samantha joined the Donor Relations team at GW in January 2020. Please welcome Samantha to the College!

More info about her

The Society of Presidential Pollsters, in collaboration with the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM), recently hosted an enlightening and thought-provoking event featuring expert political analysts, Dr. Christopher Arterton and Mark Penn. The event focused on the analysis of the latest polling data concerning the state of U.S. politics and democracy.

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Congratulations to Dr. Scott White, the program director for our Cybersecurity bachelor's degree completion program, for being selected to participate in the GW Academic Leadership Academy (GWALA). 

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Ina Gjikondi, the Executive Education & Coaching Director at the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (CEPL) has been selected as a 2023 MSR Fetzer Scholar. She was one of 22 individuals across the country recognized with the honor.

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Lorenzo Santos (MPS ‘22), an alumnus of our Homeland Security master’s degree program, is running for Congress (WI-01).

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We are excited to share that the International Coaching Federation Accreditation (ICF) has renewed its Level 2 accreditation for e-Co Leadership Coaching Certification program (ECLC) at the GW Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (CEPL), part of the College of Professional Studies! This is an all-inclusive and fully approved program that includes 140+ hours of learning, offering both rigor and flexibility for the professionals who join.

More info

In an exciting development for Maryland's political landscape, GSPM alumna Lesley Lopez (MPS ‘12) has officially announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 6th Congressional District.

More info

GW Alumni & Families Weekend, Best of GW: A Solution to the Access to Justice Crisis: How paralegals are closing the gap Lecture

September 30: 11 AM | University Student Center, Room 309, 800 21st Street, NW

The US is experiencing an access to justice crisis that afflicts an astonishing number of low- and middle-income Americans. Professor John McHugh of the GW Paralegal Studies program will discuss how licensed paralegals - called legal practitioners - are closing the gap in access to justice and will outline the path to a challenging and rewarding career for those who are up for the challenge.

13th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference

Thursday, October 12 (in-person and virtual) & Friday, October 13 (virtual)

The conference will feature trade, academic, scholarly, and library publishing professionals on topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Language and Multilingualism, and much more.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf & Charles T. Manatt Endowed Lecture

October 12: 5:30 PM | Washington, DC

Do not miss the opportunity to gain insights from influential political figures in an intimate setting at the Jack Morton Auditorium on GW's Foggy Bottom Campus.

GW Homeland Security Program: U.S. - China Relations Webinar

October 19: 6 PM | Online

Please join us as we extend the conversation with Maria Velez de Berliner. We will continue to examine the key areas of competition between the two countries, the challenges each country faces, and what the United States should do in response.

GSPM Professional Access Roundtable

October 20: 5:30 PM | Washington, DC

Introducing a new series of events, where alumni, students, and employers are matched and then have the opportunity to connect and network while discussing current hot topics within their professional and disciplines.

Cybersecurity Panel Event with Cocreations.ai

October 25th: 12:00 PM | Online

Save the date! Please join the College of Professional Studies and CoCreations for this Lunch and Learn panel event with experts in the cybersecurity and AI field.

Comments from Toni Marsh, Program Director Paralegal Studies

What does AI mean for the Paralegal Community? Article on AI and paralegals in the Florida Bar News

Comments from Dr. Larry Parnell

Spectrum News quoted Lawrence Parnell, director of the strategic public relations program in the College of Professional Studies, in the article “DeSantis passes on meeting with Biden in Florida, Sen. Scott joins president instead,’

Comments from Katuna Mshvidobadze

Newsweek quoted Khatuna Mshvidobadze, professorial lecturer of cyber security, in the article “Russian Politician Defies Putin in Expletive-Filled Rant.’’

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 “2024 Elections Could Flip Senate.’’

Sinclair Broadcasting quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “More migrants trying to cross southern border, adding fuel to election-cycle fire.’

Spectrum News interviewed Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, on Ron DeSantis’ candidacy.

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management in the article “Is Nikki Haley a legitimate threat to Trump in the GOP field?’’ 

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management in the article “Will the crisis at the border affect the way you vote?’

Washington Examiner quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “DeSantis's 45th birthday thrusts Trump and Biden age difference into spotlight.”

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management in the article “Poll: Voters aren't sure Biden or Trump can serve another 4 years.”

France24 quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the segment “Labor Summer: Raking in record profits, auto industry called on to grant workers 'record contract.'’’

USA Today quoted Todd Belt, professor of political management, in the article “How timing of Hunter Biden trial could overlap with Joe Biden's re-election campaign.’’

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Todd Belt, director of the political management program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Will voters turn on Trump after he criticized Florida abortion restrictions? “

Comments from Dr. Casey Burgat

NewsNation quoted comments previously written by Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Americans on both sides of the aisle want congressional term limits."

Yahoo Finance quoted Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “Why a government shutdown this fall could be the costliest one ever."

Sinclair Broadcast Group quoted Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “McCarthy in 'impossible position' in government spending fight.” 

Yahoo Finance quoted Casey Burgat, director of the legislative affairs program in the Graduate School of Political Management, in the article “America's tax collectors may escape a possible government shutdown."

Comments from Dr. Matt Dallek

Salon quoted Matt Dallek, professor of political science in the article “Dark” right-wing network recruits MAGA “army” to replace 50K federal workers Trump plans to purge.’’

CBS News spoke with Matt Dallek, professor of political science on the podcast “The Takeout.’’

The Christian Science Monitor quoted Matt Dallek, professor of political science in the article “Age and politics: Americans test boundaries.”

Spectrum News quoted Matt Dallek, professor of political management, in the article “Rep. James Comer to lead impeachment inquiry.’’

KFF Health News quoted Matt Dallek, professor of political management, in the article “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Injects Presidential Politics Into the Covid Vaccine Debate."

KCRW-FM, Los Angeles spoke with Matt Dallek, professor of political management, about his book the John Birch Society in the article.

The New York Times quoted Matt Dallek, professor of political management, and Sarah Binder, professor of political science, in the article “The Wrecking-Ball Caucus: How the Far Right Brought Washington to Its Knees.’’

A Mid-Century Playbook for Saving Progressive American Education, an essay written by Matt Dallek, professor of political management, for Zolcalo Public Square.