Communications and Student Relations Specialist

  • 10003470
  • Fairfax, VA
  • Classified Staff
  • Opening on: Nov 18 2025

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Admin Office Specialist 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 03

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) Office of Undergraduate Studies provides proactive CEC-wide leadership, supervision, guidance, and accountability for CEC undergraduate studies. The Office works as a bridge for undergraduate studies between CEC department-level responsibilities and university-level responsibilities with regard to student recruitment and admissions, academic advising, oversight and conflict resolution, and academic policy and program development and management.

About the Position:

The Communications and Student Relations Specialist will be the main point of contact for students engaging with the Office of Undergraduate Studies. The Specialist will communicate information to CEC students through the office newsletter, develop materials to publicize deadlines and events, and serve as the first point of contact for students interfacing with the office in person, via phone, or via email. Applicants for the Communications and Student Relations Specialist position must be motivated, proactive, and people-oriented and have an interest in working closely with current students, staff, and faculty.

George Mason University provides outstanding benefits to employees including, but not limited to, a generous number of holidays and tuition remission.

Responsibilities:

Communication

  • Creates and distribute a weekly CEC undergraduate newsletter;
  • Designs, develops, and updates materials to promote CEC undergraduate programs and activities;
  • Manages and promote events on the CEC website and other platforms, as needed;
  • Maintains and updates websites related to the CEC Undergraduate Studies Office, CEC Undergraduate forms, and the CEC Peer Mentor Center;
  • Coordinates and work strategically with the CEC Communications and External Relations team to deliver undergraduate announcements, recruitment content, and social media promotions to an expanded audience;
  • Drafts communication pieces (e.g., memos, emails, letters, and fliers) for review and distribution by the Associate Dean;
  • Coordinates the preparation of university-related publications; and
  • Coordinates the distribution and collection of CEC surveys, questionnaires, etc.

Student Relations

  • Serves as first point of contact for calls, visitors, and general email inquiries. Independently assess the reason for contact and manage requests from prospective and current students seeking information. Resolves and/or directs all inquiries appropriately;
  • Stays up to date on university and CEC academic policy and processes for student requests;
  • Maintains a positive and inviting atmosphere for all visitors to the CEC Undergraduate Studies Office; and
  • Maintains bulletin boards, literature displays, and other repositories of materials related to undergraduate recruitment, programs, and advising.

Office Support

  • Develops and maintains a working relationship with staff across campus offering services to undergraduate students;
  • Coordinates committee meetings, including scheduling, invitations, reminders, and meeting logistics;
  • Coordinates CEC Undergraduate Research Celebration;
  • Represents Undergraduate Studies Office in planning and execution of CEC Degree Celebrations;
  • Assists Academic Affairs Coordinator in interviewing and selecting CEC Degree Celebration student speakers;
  • Supports recruiting, orientation, and advising efforts as needed;
  • Assists with event planning, communication, and day-of event activities;
  • Provides oversight and mentoring for CEC Undergraduate Studies Office front office wage employees and student workers; and
  • Keeps an inventory of supplies and assist with ordering as needed.

Other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, communications, or a related field with typically two years of relevant experience in a higher education student services setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
  • Functional knowledge of federal student data privacy laws;
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills;
  • Excellent computer skills and aptitude to learn new software;
  • Demonstrated design, layout, editing, and proofreading skills;
  • Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem solving skills;
  • Skill in demonstrating flexibility when handling change or unexpected issues;
  • Ability to handle data and personal issues with discretion and to maintain integrity in all communications;
  • Ability to work with a diverse population; and
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, demonstrate initiative, and maintain attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in higher education administration, communications, or a related field with experience in a higher education student services setting;
  • Evidence of increasing responsibilities shown in work history;
  • Experience and skill with Banner, Patriot Web, and Sales Force (Patriot Connect);
  • Knowledge of university resources;
  • General knowledge of university policies and procedures;
  • Ability to develop collaborative partnerships with staff across units; and
  • Ability to supervise and mentor staff and student workers.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Communications and Student Relations Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Posting Open Date: November 18, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  December 8, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes

 
Mason Engineering: A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia’s Technology Corridor!

About the College:

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC will have more than 11,000 students in fall 2025. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs, including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 326 instructional faculty, 100 are tenured, 64 are tenure-track, 100 are term faculty, and 62 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $83.7 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $66.8 million in awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity for faculty to work with other disciplines.

About the University and the Region:

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200-degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.

About the Future:

In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, Mason has committed to accelerating its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation—a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy—and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse, a new 355,000 square foot building will open to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.

Mason Ad Statement

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/

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