Provost's Message: January 2026

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Dear Colleagues, 

Welcome back to campus, Patriots! As the spring semester begins, classrooms and labs across George Mason University are active once again, and the familiar rhythms of teaching, learning, and research are back in motion. A new semester also brings a chance to pause and reset—holding steady in what anchors us, while looking ahead to the work and opportunities before us. 

This balance of steadiness and forward momentum also shapes this moment of transition. As previously announced, I will be concluding my service as Mason’s provost at the end of February. I have deeply valued the opportunity to serve George Mason University in this role and am grateful for the faculty, staff, and leaders whose partnership and dedication have made this work so meaningful. For the past several weeks, Interim Provost Ajay Vinzé and I have been working together to ensure continuity across the academic enterprise and to sustain the progress already underway. This collaboration between us will continue in the weeks ahead.  

I am grateful for Ajay’s willingness to step into this role and for the perspective and energy he brings. Together we will focus on maintaining momentum, advancing our shared priorities, and supporting the important work happening across the university as we prepare for the next phase of leadership.

We will continue implementing the new budget model, including the fee simplification effort, with a focus on clarity, sustainability, and alignment with our academic priorities. We are also moving forward with the next phase of Patriot Connect, bringing recruitment and admissions into a unified platform designed to better support students and applicants. These efforts reflect our commitment to steady, intentional progress as we move forward. 

As we move through this transition together, I am grateful for your continued commitment to our students and to George Mason.  

Sincerely, 

James Antony 
Provost and Executive Vice President