A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Dear Members and friends of the College of Professional Studies Community,

Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you energized and ready for an exciting and productive 2025. As we begin this new chapter, I am thrilled to share updates about several impactful initiatives and milestones that are shaping our vibrant community.

We are excited to announce the formation of a new CPS Advisory Council. This esteemed group will play a vital role in guiding our strategic vision and strengthening our connections with industry and community partners. Their insights will help us continue to deliver exceptional educational experiences and opportunities.

Additionally, I am pleased to share that Angela McMillen Ayres has been named the Interim Executive Director for the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM). Angela brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this role, and we are confident in her ability to lead during this transition. 

At the same time, we celebrate Jim Robinson’s remarkable contributions to the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (CEPL) as he retires after 21 years. We warmly welcome Dr. Natalie Houghtby-Haddon as the new Executive Director of CEPL, effective January 1. Natalie’s leadership and vision will undoubtedly propel CEPL to new heights.

One of our proudest accomplishments is the launch of our first Annual Report website. This comprehensive resource showcases the incredible work and impact of our college. If you haven’t had the chance to explore it yet, I encourage you to browse the CPS Annual Roadmap Report.

Another highlight is the recent Post-Election Poll, which reveals eroding trust in government and sources of information. This important study, conducted by GSPM, has garnered significant attention. To learn more, please visit the GW GPA Study webpage and read the post-election poll coverage in GW Today.

For those interested in exploring new educational opportunities, don’t forget to check out our course samplers on RevU. It’s a great way to get started on a college program! You can learn more by reaching out to revu@gwu.edu.

We also celebrate a recent feature in the Washington Business Journal’s Executive Insights video series. The video highlights Alex Orfinger, Publisher, and Lesley Lopez, Associate Professor and Program Director for our Public Relations and Communication program. Watch their inspiring video discussion.

Finally, I invite everyone to join us for our upcoming Cybersecurity, Stronger Together: Public- Private Partnership Day on February 27th. This half-day event will feature impactful conversations with our faculty, CPS Board of Advisors, and industry leaders. It promises to be an incredible opportunity to engage with key players in the field of cybersecurity.

Thank you for being an integral part of our CPS community. Together, we are achieving remarkable things and paving the way for an extraordinary future. I look forward to seeing all we will accomplish in the months ahead.

Warm regards,

Liesl Riddle, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Professional Studies

The George Washington University

Join GW and The Cyber Guild as we bring together experts from government, industry, and academia to explore collaborative solutions to today’s cybersecurity challenges. Register today for Cybersecurity, Stronger Together: Public-Private Partnership Day, a premier event exploring how the new presidential administration's priorities will shape cybersecurity policy and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain timely insights, network with industry trailblazers, share innovative ideas, and contribute to the critical mission of securing our digital future. Learn more & secure your spot today!

Two extraordinary leaders in communications, Bianca Prade and Shannon Watts, have joined CPS as part of the CPS Visiting Scholars & Practitioners Program. These visionaries will collaborate with Lesley Lopez, Director of the Public Relations and Communications program, to share their expertise and inspire the next generation of leaders in communications, advocacy, and social impact.

Read more

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our CPS holiday party at GW’s Arlington Education Center! It was heartwarming to see so many of you come together, share laughter, and enjoy the festive melodies of one of GW’s own a cappella groups, the Troubadours.

Check out the event photos

A recent survey by George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management reveals a significant decline in Americans' trust in government and information sources. The study, which polled 800 U.S. adults two weeks after the November 2024 elections, indicates that concerns about the spread of disinformation and misinformation online are contributing to this erosion of trust.

Read more and download study

In the fall of 2022, the College of Professional Studies embarked on its first-ever Strategic Planning Process—Our Roadmap. This initiative marked a transformative milestone, reflecting our shared commitment to the values that define CPS and our aspirations as an institution. Please take a moment to explore the newly published 2024 CPS Annual Roadmap Report and join us in celebrating the remarkable work we have accomplished together.

Browse the Annual Roadmap Report

We are thrilled to showcase the latest installment of Washington Business Journal Executive Insights, featuring Alex Orfinger, Publisher of WBJ, in conversation with Lesley Lopez, Associate Professor and Program Director for the Public Relations and Communications Master’s Program.

Watch the Video

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Jim Robinson, Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (CEPL), stepped down after more than 20 years of transformative leadership. On January 1, 2025, Dr. Natalie K. Houghtby-Haddon assumed the role of Executive Director of CEPL.

Read more

The college is proud to announce Angela McMillen Ayres as its Interim Executive Director of GSPM. She brings over two decades of leadership as a nonprofit executive, fundraising consultant, and former CEO of Tusk Fundraising in Washington, DC, where she advised nonprofits and Republican political campaigns on fundraising and development.

Read more

UPCOMING STUDENT & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Publishing CareerBuilder: Careers in University Press Publishing

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | 6 pm to 7 pm

Virtual

Join us for our Publishing CareerBuilder, introducing students and aspiring professionals to rewarding career paths in university press publishing. We will explore diverse roles such as acquisitions, rights and permissions, marketing, editorial management, and production, ways to break into the field, and trajectories within the industry. Optional networking 7-7:30 pm.

2025 Paul O'Dwyer Endowed Forum for Political Ethics

Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

George Washington University, Washington, DC

This year, we're thrilled to welcome the legendary Fred Upton, former U.S. Representative for Michigan's 6th district, as our keynote speaker. Known for his trailblazing work on the "21st Century Cures Act" and his unwavering dedication to bipartisan solutions, Fred embodies true political integrity!

Divided Communities University Seminar

Friday, February 14, 2025 | 10 am to 2:30 pm

George Washington University, Washington, DC

GW's Divided Communities University Seminar invites members of the GW community to attend two panel presentations - Panel 1: Perspectives on Deep Divisions: Reflections from Research & Teaching; and Panel 2: Negotiating Conflicted Identities Through Research and Writing.

Cybersecurity, Stronger Together: Public-Private Partnership Day

February 27, 2025 | 8 AM-12:30 PM

Washington, DC

Join GW and The Cyber Guild as we bring together experts from government, industry, and academia to explore collaborative solutions to today’s cybersecurity challenges.

Women Leaders in Homeland Security

Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 5 pm 1957 E St NW, Washington DC 20052

Our distinguished panelists will share valuable insights into the vital roles women play in the homeland security profession, highlighting the diverse opportunities available for women to make meaningful contributions to the mission. The discussion will also explore strategies for success, offering guidance on how to prepare for and excel in this dynamic profession.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Explore your next professional milestone with GW RevU! Our complimentary, self-paced program samplers offer an exclusive glimpse into top-tier graduate programs designed for career advancement. 

This February, dive into subject areas like Publishing, Homeland Security, Cybersecurity Strategy, Sustainable Urban Planning; and Public Relations and Communications. Engage with expert faculty and experience GW's innovative learning environment firsthand. 

Learn More and Sign Up

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of GSPM alumnus, George M. Cecala, 49, a devoted husband, father, community leader, and friend. George, a senior Congressional aide and political science professor, was widely admired for his dedication to public service and his tireless advocacy for commonsense solutions.

Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) honored George’s nearly two decades of remarkable service, describing him as a gentle yet tenacious leader who always went out of his way to serve others.

Learn More About George

Members of the graduating Class of 2025 are invited to enter the Commencement Student Speaker Competition for the chance to address their classmates and other members of the GW community at the university-wide Commencement on the National Mall on May 18.

To enter the competition, please submit your application by Friday, February 21.

More Info

Dr. Casey Burgat, podcast host and Legislative Affairs Program Director, sits down with author Brian Klaas to discuss chaos theory and its impact on social systems and decision-making.

Klaas shares insights from his book Fluke, exploring how small events can trigger significant ripple effects. They delve into uncertainty, the limits of probability, and the challenges leaders face in navigating a chaotic world.

Listen to the episode

Applications for the first round of the George Washington University’s 2025 New Venture Competition (NVC), a nationally recognized event for student entrepreneurship and innovation, are open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Started in 2009 by the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and blossoming into one of the nation’s most prestigious collegiate innovation competitions, the three-round NVC gives GW students, faculty and alumni a real-world experiential learning opportunity in entrepreneurship. In its 17-year history, the NVC has served more than 4,000 student entrepreneurs and awarded $2 million in cash prizes.

Read more in GW Today

The Professionals Podcast Feature - Let’s go to the Moon or Mars

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Christyl Johnson shares her inspiring journey to NASA, discussing the importance of innovation, diversity, and overcoming challenges in the STEM field. She emphasizes the need for a growth mindset and the value of unique contributions

Listen to the episode

Scott White 

“New Orleans attack aftermath: How can our cities protect us?’’ Sinclair Broadcast Group’s “The National News Desk’’ quoted Scott White. 

Rohin Sharma 

WTOP-FM spoke to Rohin Sharma.