Mason International

OIPS is Launching the International Hub!

Starting June 4, 2026, the International Hub will be your new go‑to platform for:

- Submitting F-1 or J-1 Requests
- Tracking Case Updates
- Important Communications from OIPS 
 
Important Reminder:

New request submissions will be temporarily unavailable from 3:00 p.m. on May 29 through June 3, 2026.

Questions? Email [email protected].

Today, George Mason University’s Class of 2026 student commencement speaker was Saniya Darediya. Saniya is an international student from Gujarat, India who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. During her time at Mason, she found not only her passion for healthcare and research, but also a strong sense of community and belonging through campus involvement and support systems.

Saniya most recently hosted the International Week Dance Competition and was very involved in our Office of International Programs and Services events throughout her time at Mason. We are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and cannot wait to see what she does next. Congratulations to Saniya and congratulations to the Class of 2026. 💚💛

Mason Day is here! 🎉 Come for the rides and games, stay for the energy, the food trucks, live student performancesand our headliner, Waka Flocka Flame. Celebrate the end of the year with your campus community!  

AND

Award-winning hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame will headline the2026 Mason Day Spring Concert, joined by guest The Aces. Free admission for ALL with valid Mason IDs. Guest tickets are available for $45 at the EagleBank Arena Box Office. Guests must enter with a valid Mason ID holder, with one guest ticket per ID holder.

TOMORROW!

The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) and the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement (CLIE) invite you to our International Café: Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) Edition, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Johnson Center Bistro.

Our final International Café of the semester will highlight the cultures and students of Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia and Tunisia! We are excited to collaborate with the South West Asian and North African Alliance, Iranian Students Union, and Saudi Student Association.

Come learn about these vibrant countries, celebrate their rich cultures, and enjoy free snacks and drinks! Join us as we continue celebrating Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) and Arab American Heritage Month!

Registration link is in our bio!

🇪🇬🇰🇼🇸🇦🇹🇳

The Office of International Programs and Services congratulates our Data Analyst, Mykola Signayevskyy, on receiving the 2026 George Mason University Wage Employee Service Award, part of the university’s Outstanding Achievement Awards.

This award celebrates a non student wage staff employee who has consistently demonstrated excellence, dedication, and exceptional organizational citizenship, contributing significantly to the university’s operations and mission.

Mykola began working in OIPS in 2022 as a student and later transitioned to non student wage staff after graduating from George Mason in 2024. He was recognized for his exceptional work and support to OIPS, including helping create the annual OIPS International Student Data Report, supporting website updates, and assisting with the implementation of a new international student data management system that is coming soon to the office. Mykola was join by his family and staff for the celebration.

We are so proud of you, Mykola! Join us in celebrating his achievement!

📸: OUB

Would you like to help George Mason welcome new International Students? Want to learn more about all the behind the scene work OIPS does to prepare for orientation? Join our team! OIPS is hiring temporary International Orientation Assistants!

Employment will be from August 3rd to August 29th! Application is NOW open on handshake and will close on Sunday, May 10th at 11:59PM. Please follow the application instructions and submit your tailored application documents on handshake to be considered.

Handshake Job #10967390

Over 700 individuals attended our 2026 International Dance Competition last Thursday, April 2, 2026!

We would like to thank our wonderful emcees & !

Once again congratulate the winners, ! Also, , & .blackmambas for their top 3 placements in the competition.

Special shout out goes to .blackmambas for winning the Audience Choice for the second year in a row and for winning the special All That & Jazz Dance Troupe Choice Award!

And to all other participating teams, thank you for giving us your all we hope see you again next year!

We hope everyone enjoyed this wonderful celebration of culture and talent! More photos will be available soon and videos to the performances as well.

📸: OUB

…And of course, how could we forget posting these International Week Parade photos by the wonderful and talented !



📸 : Evan Michio - George Mason’s OUB

TONIGHT!

International Week 2026: Dance Competition
Thursday, April 2, 2026
7:00 PM
Center for the Arts

George Mason’s Registered Student Organizations present dances from around the world in this colorful and lively competition. Come out and support the participating teams and individuals in this year’s event, a long-standing George Mason tradition and part of the 45th International Week.

Congratulations to our Assistant Director for International Engagement, Jonathan Carmona, for being the inaugural recipient of the Graduate Student Champion Award for Outstanding Administrative Faculty Member at George Mason University, presented by the Graduate and Professional Student Association and Graduate Student Life.

Quote from the award ceremony:

“From planning International Graduate Student Orientation to International Week and numerous other events throughout the year, Jonathan supports the transition of international students to the University and helps build community and connection with a deep sense of genuine and sustained care. Five different graduate students submitted separate nominations on Jonathan’s behalf, all echoing the ways he goes above and beyond his job description to step in and support students at critical moments of their lives.

One nominator wrote that in his professional role, Jonathan does not just manage a diverse international student body, he advocates for them. He crafts inclusive events by staying grounded and approachable, all while sharing his own journey to encourage others to share theirs. He leans in and brings an infectious energy to every task, big or small. Most importantly, he prioritizes the human connection over the bureaucratic one.”

OIPS is grateful for all of Jonathan’s contributions to the international graduate student community and to the International student community overall.

Please join us in congratulating Jonathan!