Our Team

George Mason University's Office of University Branding manages university-wide strategic communications, brand marketing, creative services, digital strategy, visitor experience, and event management. We also assure the university's compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and manage licensing and trademark operations. Our staff of experienced professionals leads work and collaborates on efforts that develop, enhance, and protect the university's reputation and public identity.

If you are a Mason partner interested in working with our office in any way, please complete the OUB Common Form.

The Office of University Branding meets once a week to process responses to this form and will follow up regarding status and for any additional information.

OUB Leadership

  • A placeholder, generic silhouete of a person.
    Stephanie Aaronson

    Leads the Strategic Communications and the Digital Content and Distribution Teams

    Deputy VP, Communications, Media, and Digital Strategy
  • Rachel Quinn
    Rachel Quinn

    Leads the University Events and Operations teams

    Assistant VP, University Events and Operations
  • Eric Woodall
    Eric Woodall

    Leads the Creative Services and Marketing and Advertising teams

    Associate VP, Brand Marketing

Administrative Support

Creative

Editorial

Photo - Video

Production

Visual Design

The Creative team oversees the Mason brand and creates and maintains a positive visual identity for the university. We maintain resources university communicators and marketers rely on, including photography, video b-roll, design templates, and more. We also create and oversee marketing collateral for recruiting and enrolling students.

 

Department Lead: Audra Meckstroth

Digital Content and Distribution

Social Media

Web Strategy

Digital Content and Distribution comprises a team of integrated professionals overseeing digital content strategy for the university's web ecosystem, official university social media, and other digital platforms.
The Social Media team maintains the direction and development of university social accounts, including daily content management of main social platforms and cross university collaborations. This team maintains the official accounts inventory, provides consultation services and training, and drives best practices.
Lead: David Loughner
The Web team oversees the content direction and technical development of the primary George Mason University domain as well as many other college, school, department, and administrative office websites. This team develops content and information architectures to deliver a consistent user experience on George Mason's primary public face and collaborates with other units on their sites. They develop and maintain the SiteMasonry CMS platform - a custom-built, centrally managed brand solution for Mason's highest-visibility sites.

 

Lead: Kristin Heydt

Freedom of Information Act

FOIA compliance officer Susan Harris is on special assignment through the end of 2024. During this time period, all FOIA requests will be handled by Dalia Abdrabouh.

Marketing and Advertising

OUB Marketing and Advertising works closely with marketing and communications professionals across the university to recruit and enroll students and engage with the Mason community. Our messaging and creative collateral is delivered to millions everyday around the world as part of our omni-channel strategy.

 

Department Lead: Eric Woodall

Strategic Communications

The Strategic Communication team of integrated content creators, writers and editors works with leadership, faculty, staff, students, campus communicators and community partners to advance the university’s strategic direction and priorities through story development, video and podcasts, magazine and newsletters as well as media relations. We also assist leadership with university-wide communication, presidential communication and crisis communication.
Department Lead: Melanie Balog
 
If you have a general media inquiry or a question about the university, please email stratcom@gmu.edu.​

Trademark and Licensing

  • David Atkins
    David Atkins
    Executive Director, Brand Development and Licensing
Trademarks are primary visual representations for George Mason University and valuable assets in all aspects of operations and services. Properties such as names, designs, logos, and/or derivatives are owned by George Mason University. The unauthorized use of such material is illegal and thereby punishable by law.

Operations

Operations consists of providing Campus Information and Visitor Services (interactive kiosks, Johnson Center Information Desk, University Switchboard) to provide knowledge and resources of George Mason University to assist the internal and external community; Mason 101 and other workshops that support university awareness, knowledge, and resources; the Outreach Database that maintains contacts of George Mason constituent groups; the Office of University Branding Student Employment and Enrichment program; and the Office of University Branding budget.
Contact: Philip Stamper

University Events

Our experienced staff provides outstanding management and production, elegant catering, great accommodations, and unrivaled customer service. Our proximity to the nation’s capital and our modern facilities make us your best choice for whatever type of meeting or event you plan.

 

For more information about holding an event on our campus, visit University Events and Operations, call one of our conference managers at 703-993-2853, or email University Events.

 

Department Lead: Rachel Lubar Quinn