Jenny Chism is the July Employee of the Month

Jennifer (Jenny) Chism, assistant dean of Admissions, has been an integral part of George Mason University’s Office of Admissions since 2021. She recently led the charge for the Office of Admissions to adopt new and better technology, which has greatly improved both George Mason’s application process and the office’s efficiency. For her leadership, she is being recognized as the July Employee of the Month.   

In their nomination letters, her colleagues emphasized her hard work, dedication, and positive attitude, despite her heavy workload.  

“From the moment Jenny arrived, her commitment to enhancing and improving the applicant experience through the application process has been evident,” said Crystal Buckley, director of graduate admissions. “We would not be where we are today without her vision and dedication.” 

Stephanie Lowe, associate director of transfer operations, said, “Jenny is not only a forward-thinking innovator but also a compassionate leader. She consistently demonstrates empathy and understanding.” 

“Jenny consistently displays strong leadership, tirelessly works to advance the processing efforts of our large team in Admissions, and selflessly gives of her time and her talent well beyond what is expected of her role,” said Melissa A. Bevacqua, director of admissions for transfer recruitment. 

Byron Whitehead, document center manager in Admissions, said, “She leads with mutual respect, trusts and cares for her team, and speaks up the moment she has a concern or can see an area for improvement. To put it simply, she is the best boss I’ve ever had, and I cannot imagine what things would be like without her.” 

How did you come to Mason: 

I joined George Mason from St. Louis, Missouri, where I served as the associate vice president of enrollment management at a private liberal arts institution. My journey in higher education began at the University of Missouri – Columbia, and I’ve been passionate about expanding access and driving student success ever since. 

Best day on the job:   

It’s hard to pick one favorite day on the job. Every day feels like a win when you see your team thriving. Watching them grow in confidence, both personally and professionally, is incredibly rewarding. And when the team is clicking, and the energy is high—when the vibes are right, as the young people say—it’s pretty tough to beat.  

What do you like best about working at Mason:  

I love being part of the education community because I know that each day, my work makes a meaningful impact in the lives of individual students and on a broader scale. I remain deeply committed, grounded in the belief in the transformative power of education and its ability to create lasting, positive change in the world. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working:  

When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me doing something that fills my cup; I love traveling to spend time with our friends and family. At home in Arlington, my husband and I dote on our elderly golden doodle, Bear, FaceTime with our nieces and nephews, and daydream about (or plan!) our next adventure, whether it's domestic or abroad. I also love to cook, bake cookies, dive into topics in counseling psychology and personal well-being, do yoga, and take long walks to unwind. Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones: sitting on our apartment rooftop with a charcuterie board or watching the sunset from the pool after most people have headed home for the day.