Goal two
Learning
Goal two - learning

Goal Two of our strategic plan, Learning, is defined as "catalyzing innovation and delivering cutting-edge pedagogy, curricula, co-curricular experiences, and research that empower professional progress." This goal aligns closely with three of our college's six core values: progress, impact, and applied interdisciplinary knowledge. These values drive our commitment to advancing education through innovative approaches and practical, interdisciplinary applications that prepare our community for professional success.

Activities that supported our learning goal include the development and launch of GW RevU (our new lifelong learning platform), experiential learning programs, Cyber Academy DC, and applied politics initiatives.

People moving in a hallway

Goal TWO of our strategic plan, People, is defined as catalyzing innovation and delivering cutting-edge pedagogy, curricula, co-curricular experiences, and research that empower professional progress

Staff and faculty conversing
New CPA Academic Affairs Team Structure

Associate Dean Tobias Greiff led the restructuring of all academic support services, including a new Academic Affairs Team. The effort assessed academic support needs, staffing levels, existing skills on the team, and workflows, redefining six staff positions and creating three new positions from vacant positions. By design, the new team structure has clearer reporting lines, more mid-level management, and a more collaborative team environment. 

Within the team, more members are being trained on the most critical operational functions to ensure reliable and sustainable operations while enabling higher support levels for new or growing initiatives. In addition, new functions — including roles that support experiential learning, short-term and non-degree offerings, and higher-level expertise in areas like faculty affairs — have been established. 

The structure (illustrated below) features a dedicated Academic Operations team under the leadership of Vanessa Fontana Keszler. This team manages our learning centers and all core academic operations tasks, including course scheduling and part-time faculty hiring. A new team under Michelle Lague was created to ensure a continuous high level of support for our degree programs, including training and assistance for their faculty, as well as experiential learning efforts. 

Cody House and part of his team are now building the nucleus for our growing continuing education efforts, overseeing RevU and our micro-credential and academic partnership functions. 

The Career Service Team has joined our Student Service Team under the leadership of Suzanne Farrand to lead all student-related matters, including organizing several key events like our commencement celebrations. 

Updated organizational chart
Tobias Greiff Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Suzanner Farrand Assistant Dean, Student Affairs
Mona Yep Senior Academic Advisor
Sydney Roig Academic Advisor, GSPM
Estefania Isava Ippolito Program Associate, Spanish Programs
Josh Adamek Academic Advisor, GSPM
VACANT Academic Advisor
Nicole Mintz Director Career Services
Mag Gottlieb Director Career Services
Cody House Director, Academic Programs
Kimber Moler Senior Academic Advisor
Mark Trickett Instructional Designer
Josef Javier Ayala Instructional Designer
Charlotte Morris Instructional Designer
Anitra Butler-Ngugi Instructional Designer
Drew Santorello Senior Instructional Technologist
Martin Velazquez Prog Manager, Exc Educ & Acad Part
Michelle Lague Director, Academic Prog & Lxp Learning
Samantha Fast Program Associate, Curriculum & Exper Learning
Barbara Breckenridge Faculty Affairs Specialist
Vanessa Fontana Keszler Senior Director of Academic Operations
Alison Tuch Program Associate, Academic Programs
Jessilyn Larsen Program Associate, Academic Operations
Matthew Hernandez Program Coordinator, Academic Operations
Tiana LaGon Administrative Associate, VA Education Centers
Anne-Christine Schulz Sr Office Assistant, ARL
Shirley Florus Academic Support Coordinator (5)
Ricky Nguyen Academic Support Coordinator (5)
Faculty gathers at a meeting
Team and unit highlights

Student and Career Services
During the 2023-24 academic year, we developed a student engagement strategy built on the three pillars of community building, relationship building, and connection to resources. Some initiatives already underway include a joint new student orientation program, bringing together students from all of our B.P.S. programs for the first time. This was rolled out in Fall ‘23 for undergraduate programs and will be expanded to graduate programs in Fall ‘24.


We also developed and implemented two separate funds to provide student support: emergency funding to cover outstanding tuition costs and professional development activities, such as technical certifications and conference travel.  We received 35 applications for the emergency support fund and, in consultation with a faculty committee, made 11 awards totaling $25,000. We received seven applications for the professional development fund and have made five awards, totaling $3,000. Student feedback indicated that the funding positively impacted retention and academic success.

$25K Emergency Support Fund - 11 Awards

In addition to planning expanded initiatives for the 2024-25 academic year, the student engagement team provided academic support services to the College’s 804 students. We graduated 337 students across our B.P.S., M.P.S., and graduate certificate programs and organized a successful CPS commencement ceremony in May to celebrate the many accomplishments of our students.

During the Spring ‘24 semester, career services were moved under the student engagement team, and plans are underway to integrate their work into the larger team. 

Continuing Education & Partnership 
Over the last year, we have reorganized our college and launched the GW RevU lifelong learning platform. Through the reorganization, we shifted Martin Velazquez under Cody House, the Director of Academic Programs, to lay the groundwork for an expanded role in the college's partnerships. 

Martin's background was through our Latin American programming. While most of his partnership support will continue in that avenue, we are expanding his role and looking for ways to integrate the lifelong learning platform to showcase our college's strengths. We will also explore Spanish language offerings on RevU, offering them to learners through our partnerships. 

Group Meeting

Additionally, we've started a partnership with Accredible to issue digital badges to learners through our Center of Excellence in Public Leadership and now to learners coming through RevU, which will also include offering new incentives to our partners to highlight their work with exclusive digital badges. 

Seminar in Madrid: The Objective Media 1/24
The seminar, held at the historic library of José Ortega y Gasset, gathered 30 participants for an enriching academic exchange. The event concluded with a networking cocktail at the Ortega-Marañón Foundation, fostering informal discussions among attendees.The seminar received notable media coverage from “The Objective.” It sparked active social media engagement, enhancing the visibility of George Washington University, the Ortega Foundation, Ethos School, and the sponsor, Acento. Each contributed to the event's success, highlighting their dedication to academic excellence and community engagement.

Joint Certificate – University ESIC and Aleph Institute 2/24
This joint certificate program in Government Management and Political Leadership, offered by ALEPH Educational Institution, ESIC Business & Marketing School, and The George Washington University, prepares participants to face future political and social challenges. Participants will attend classes from distinguished professors and apply their knowledge through innovative, hands-on simulation exercises. The program is open to public officials, mayors, provincial presidents, councilors, members of parliament, senators, political party members, public institution representatives, youth leaders, business executives, communication officers, and students interested in politics.

University of Navarra Program 2/24 to 3/24
This past summer marked the 20th anniversary of the collaboration between George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) and the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. At the heart of this partnership is the GSPM Four-Week Program, known as the Navarra program, which offers students from the University of Navarra's Master’s Degree in Political and Corporate Communication (MCPC) an immersive residency in Washington, D.C. The program provides participants with theoretical and practical knowledge of U.S. political communication and lobbying. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of GSPM’s international educational outreach, equipping future political leaders with essential skills and experience in navigating the U.S. political landscape.
This year's podcast featured several guests from the college community — experts in the field, students and alumni, and respected partners — including:

Two-Day Training for Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives  5/24
Designed exclusively for 28 Brazilian policymakers, this intensive two-day program offered a deep dive into key political and policy issues and featured eight expert-led lectures. This program aims to help participants expand their knowledge of various situations arising within current thematic axes. This political management program will focus on national and local contexts in Latin America and the United States, encompassing campaigns, governments, and all matters related to politics and communication.

Joint Certificate – Universidad Columbia del Paraguay 8/24
This joint certificate program in Governance, offered by the Universidad  Columbia del Paraguay and CPS, trained participants to address community expectations and provide effective responses amid rapid change and resource scarcity. It focused on developing strategies for overcoming exclusion and poverty while delivering quality services to meet citizens' needs.
Participants enhance their communication, leadership, alliance-building, and personal development skills. They learned conflict resolution, consensus-building, and applied behavioral sciences in management from two of our experts.

One-Week Open Enrollment Seminar in D.C. 11/24
This one-week training seminar focused on governance, political communication, and public policy. Attendees across Latin America arrived in Washington, D.C., to explore key topics essential for navigating the American political landscape. Participants also learned about the American political system, principles of political management, and effective political communication techniques. 
The course addressed public management challenges and strategies for optimizing operations while leveraging social media for strategic analysis. Visits to organizations like the OAS, the American Congress, and the Atlantic Council Think Tank provided insights into crisis resolution and pressing issues like populism and democracy. A practical lab further enhanced participants' skills in political-strategic analysis, equipping them to tackle complex challenges throughout the hemisphere.

Seminar Madrid II: The Objective Media 12/24
A second edition of the Madrid seminar focused on analyzing other countries' geopolitical context and electoral results in 2024. It also examined the campaign and electoral system in the U.S. with a direct connection to Washington, D.C., and the analysis of electoral results and their repercussions in Europe, Latin America, and the world. This two-day training seminar was designed for attendees from Europe and Latin America.

Instructional Design

Led by Cody House, the team updated our online course development contract to provide clearer expectations for faculty, including the fact that the courses must pass Quality Matters review standards before being deemed complete. It also Instituted a Quality Matters review process for online course developments, which includes checking for adequate accessibility.


The team streamlined its support for online course launches and developments while transitioning from five to three Instructional Designers. This included increased 1-on-1 support to Instructional Designers to assist with project coordination and course design issues.

Rev U Meeting

The team also Increased coordination with Program Directors to guide course development contract protocols, expectation-setting talking points, and support during expectation-setting meetings with developing faculty.

Academic operations meeting

Academic Operations

The VA Education Centers in Alexandria and Arlington have continued to play a vital role in supporting CPS, CCAS, GSEHD, and GWSB by hosting numerous academic courses, student engagement events, career services panels, department retreats, advisory committee meetings, and more. Beyond serving GW students and faculty, the centers have also opened their doors to sponsored events for external partners, fostering collaboration and community engagement.

Highlights from the past year include the GW Ethics in Publishing Conference organized by CPS, bringing together professionals, scholars, and students to discuss ethical issues in the publishing field. The centers also hosted the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) for a Social Media Workshop. They also collaborated with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to present a panel on cybersecurity challenges featuring local leaders in IT and business management.

The centers welcomed diverse groups through special programming, including GW’s Pre-College Summer Immersion Program and GW Upward Bound College Preparation, each featuring Dr. Scott White’s expertise in cybersecurity. A noteworthy highlight was the Natives Rising STEM Camp, where Indigenous youth engaged in lectures and activities designed to inspire participation in STEM and policy-making fields. Additionally, the Alexandria center provided a workspace for journalists covering the high-profile US vs. Google antitrust trial, who, in turn, shared insights with GW’s paralegal students on the legal media landscape.

The VA Centers’ extensive range of events and collaborations demonstrates their impact on the university community and the broader public, reinforcing GW’s commitment to providing spaces for learning, professional development, and civic engagement.

The GW Arlington Education Center completed a 1st-floor environmental branding project in late April to highlight CPS’s award-winning Catalyst campaign. A more ambitious 6th-floor branding project also kicked off in November. 

Residency Programs

December 10-16, Spain 
Students traveled to Madrid and Barcelona for 6 days of in-country immersion. The group met with members of the Congress of Deputies, parliamentary leaders, and various political leaders in Catalonia. Students spent a day in the medieval city of Toledo, visiting the world-renowned La Sagrada Familia and many other historical landmarks. 

March 17-23, United Kingdom 
Students traveled to London and Edinburgh for in-country immersion in the United Kingdom. Students had the unique opportunity to meet with various Members of Parliament at Westminster and to visit the home of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The group then traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, where they concluded their residency with sessions at the Scottish Parliament and visits to historic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle.

June 10-14, Washington, DC
During the DC Residency, students had the opportunity to meet with professionals in speechwriting, campaigning, and public relations within the DC political environment. They also attended the Congressional Baseball Game with GW President Ellen Granberg and CPS Dean Liesl Riddle. A few students even had the chance to briefly meet Representative Nancy Pelosi during their sessions on Capitol Hill.

September 5-14, Brussels, Belgium 
Students had the opportunity to engage with members of the European Parliament and tour the European Council and Commission in Brussels, Belgium. The program also included sessions with the U.S. State Department in Brussels and lobbying firms within the EU. A special highlight was exploring the medieval town of Bruges, Belgium, where students sampled local chocolates and learned about the town's rich, checkered history.

The George Washington University skyline

Course Scheduling

The course scheduling revamp has been underway to better streamline communication with faculty, organize course needs and information, allocate appropriate rooms and resources, etc. The scheduling team has worked tirelessly with the Office of the Registrar to ensure appropriate classroom space on the Foggy Bottom campus meets course date requirements and minimizes learning disruption through room changes. Center space scheduling at the VA centers has been reorganized to adequately accommodate course space needs among various schools. Additional resources, such as IT assistance, software, and hardware, are always available to enhance the learning experience of classroom users. 

Safety & Security

In addition to serving on the newly created Campus Safety Advisory Committee, Vanessa Fontana Keszler was selected as staff representative on the Faculty Senate Physical Facilities & Safety Committee. She also joined Tiana LaGon on the GW Emergency Management Task Force. 

The GW Office of Emergency Management organized Annual General Safety and Active Shooter Trainings, providing them to university members at VA Centers on January 22 at GWALX and January 29 at GWARL.

Lifelong learning platform

Over the past year, our Academic Affairs team has made remarkable progress in developing our Lifelong Learning Platform, GW RevU. This platform, built from the ground up, is designed to engage lifelong learners with a variety of innovative features.

Computer viewing review website

Collaboration with Faculty and Strategic Partners

We have worked closely with faculty and industry leaders to create an online, AI-driven platform. This collaboration ensures that GW RevU offers high-quality, relevant content and resources.

Promotion of For-Credit Programs


The platform will also serve as a promotional tool for our for-credit programs, helping to attract and retain students.

Diverse Learning Opportunities


The platform will feature industry thought leadership content, program samplers, and stackable micro-credentials. These micro-credentials will be available as both for-credit and Continuing Professional Education/Continuing Education Units (CPE/CEU) options, catering to a wide range of learners.

GW RevU Website

Furthermore, the college has partnered with a digital credential provider to issue digital certificates and badges. This initiative aims to enhance brand recognition and will help build our brand by showcasing the achievements of our learners and the quality of our programs.

Digital Certificates & Badges

The College of Professional Studies has also partnered with a digital credential provider to issue digital certificates and badges. This initiative aims to enhance brand recognition and will help build our brand by showcasing the achievements of our learners and the quality of our programs.

Noodle Partnership

CPS and Noodle just finalized a 5-year partnership renewal. This commitment solidifies the continued development of the GW RevU brand and delivers an industry-leading lifelong learning platform. CPS and Noodle have demonstrated their strong partnership by co-presenting at conferences and bringing in other departmental support from Noodle to the GW RevU platform.

Innovations in degree programs

CPS advanced its degree programs with key updates: the MPS in Publishing plans to integrate a GW press, the Paralegal Studies program completed its ABA interim report, and the rebranded Public Relations and Communications program introduced new concentrations and courses to meet industry needs.

Five-Year Academic Programs Review of the MPS in Publishing

Five-Year Academic Programs Review of the MPS in Publishing
Publishing program director Dr. John Warren worked with his faculty and the Academic Affairs Team to review market data and feedback from students, alumni, and employers, assess the many strengths of CPS's MPS in the Publishing program, and identify opportunities for the future. 

Their work generated exciting ideas for enhancing the existing curricula, including establishing and incorporating a GW press into the program's coursework. 

Special thanks to our external reviewers for sharing their ideas and insights: Christie Henry, Director of the University Press at Princeton University, and Dr. Rachel Noorda, Director of Book Publishing and Associate Professor at Portland State University.

Interim Report for the MPS in Paralegal Studies Program

Interim Report for the MPS in Paralegal Studies Program
The American Bar Association's Paralegal Education Program Approval Process requires accredited paralegal programs to provide an interim report halfway through the five-year accreditation cycle. Paralegal Studies program director Professor Toni Marsh and faculty member Professor Lisa Leibow worked with data analyst Sam Wimberly to craft a report summarizing curricular innovations, student learning outcomes, student feedback, and program Advisory Board input.

New MPS in Public Relations and Communications

New MPS in Public Relations and Communications
In preparation for the impending retirement of Dr. Larry Parnell, the longtime faculty director of GSPM's Strategic Public Relations (SPR) program, the college formed a committee to identify new opportunities to update and enhance the program and prepare it for the next generation of faculty leadership.  

The committee, consisting of SPR alumni, board members, and faculty as well as faculty from related GW programs and CPS staff leadership, conducted a market analysis and collected iterative feedback from SPR program stakeholders.

Professor giving a speech

This review prompted the introduction of three concentrations, short and stackable skills courses, and the program's new name: Public Relations and Communications. These new initiatives will capture the broad field of PR and Communications and prepare students for a variety of career paths or advancements.  

Community recognition and appreciation

To foster a strong, supportive community, we were excited to celebrate the College of Professional Studies' inaugural Faculty Service Awards this year. At the event, we recognized the dedication and commitment of our faculty members who have contributed 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service to our community. 

We congratulate our esteemed 20-year honorees: Jeff Delinski, Natalie Houghtby-Haddon, Roberto Izurieta, and Jim Robinson. Their long-standing contributions have deeply enriched the fabric of our college. 

We are grateful to all 123 awardees for their unwavering dedication and the positive impact they have made on our vibrant community.

CPS Catalyst Awards

Faculty and staff are at the heart of the College of Professional Studies, making extraordinary contributions in the areas of community, innovation & learning, and partnerships.

This year, for the first time, we proudly introduced the CPS Catalyst Awards to publicly recognize these achievements. Members of the CPS community were invited to nominate their colleagues, with the CPS leadership team reviewing the nominations and selecting honorees in each category. These awards honor the enduring work and dedication of our faculty and staff, who continually enrich our community.

This year's Catalyst Award Winners:

Professor, John Warren

Partners in Progress Award
Professor John Warren
Program Director & Professor of Publishing


Martin Velazquez

Partners in Progress Award
Martin Velazquez
Program Manager for Executive Education and Academic Partnerships

Cody House

Advancing Innovation & Learning Award

Cody House
Director of Academic Programs

Nicole Mintz

Community Excellence Award

Nicole Mintz
CPS Director of Career Services


Dova Wilson

Community Excellence Award

Dova Wilson
CPS Web Lead

Collage of photos from the faculty service awards

CPS Service Awards Ceremony

In the spirit of fostering a strong, supportive community, we were excited to celebrate the College of Professional Studies' inaugural Faculty Service Awards this past year.  At this inaugural event, we recognized the dedication and commitment of our faculty members who have given five or more years of service to our community.

We extend a special congratulations to our esteemed 20-year honorees: Jeff Delinski, Natalie Houghtby-Haddon, Roberto Izurieta, and Jim Robinson. Their long-standing contributions have deeply enriched the fabric of our college. We are grateful to all 123 awardees for their unwavering dedication and the positive impact they have made on our vibrant community.

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Applied politics summer program

Over the past year, the Graduate School of Political Management and the College of Professional Studies have significantly revamped our applied politics summer programming, transforming it into a multifaceted and impactful experience. Historically, these programs provided valuable practical experience, but recent changes have made them even more dynamic and far-reaching.

GWRRI Academy for Civic education and democracy logo

Academy for Civic Education and Democracy (ACED)

A key development in this transformation is our partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. This collaboration harnesses the College’s academic excellence in political management and the rich legacy of the Ronald Reagan Institute to create the Academy for Civic Education and Democracy (ACED).

ACED is a groundbreaking initiative designed to advance civic engagement and leadership, celebrating the legacies of two American presidential icons: Ronald Reagan and George Washington. Key features of this reimagined programming include Enhanced Curriculum, Leadership Development, Interactive Workshops and Seminars, Networking Opportunities, and Promotion of Civic Values.

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