Schar School News August 2021

Persistent coronavirus concerns among D.C.-area residents and growth in remote work during the pandemic could temporarily dampen a comeback of downtown Washington and other busy commercial districts in the region.

Two-thirds of Americans say that once the coronavirus pandemic ends, they plan to put on masks when sick and wear comfortable clothes more often than before, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll that points to enduring cultural shifts the public health crisis may bring about.

About 1 in 5 workers overall has considered a professional shift, a signal that the pandemic has been a turning point for many, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll. Additionally, since the pandemic began, 28 percent of U.S. adults say they have seriously considered moving to a new community, and 17 percent say they had already moved, either temporarily or permanently.

While millions of Americans stayed home during the coronavirus pandemic, many others moved — some motivated by the ability to work remotely.

Collecting our thoughts: What were Schar School scholars thinking in August? See our op-eds.

Mason officials welcomed its largest incoming class ever, with Schar School’s Jennifer Victor delivering a Victor-ious speech about civility.

The president of the student body at George Mason University, Natalia Kanos, is majoring in government for reasons beyond the classroom.

Schar School of Policy and Government alumna Hiwot Yohannes has taken her lessons from her International Commerce and Policy degree and created a global skincare company for women of color.

As the government in Afghanistan collapsed and the Taliban seized power on the heels of the American exit from the country, Ellen Laipson, former vice chair of the U.S. National Intelligence Council and director of the international security program at the Schar School of Policy and Government, gave her assessment of the situation in an opinion piece for Asia Times.

New guidelines co-created by the Schar School’s Faye Taxman for the National Institute of Justice examines the “risk and needs assessment” instruments that impact those in correctional settings.