2025 Communication Career Forum

Hosted by Mason COMM and the Insight Committee: all event information and registration can be found here!

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Johnson Center, Lettered Meeting Rooms (third floor)

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2025 Communication Career Forum

Gain career advice and network with some of the nation's leading communication professionals.

Sign up for small group mentoring sessions with public affairs specialists, media producers, journalists, health communicators, marketers, and more!

 Registration is required.

Please remember to dress to impress (business casual) and research the mentors if you are planning to attend (see mentors list below for more information)!

 
 
How The COMM Forum Works: 

There are 5-7 Communication themed mentoring sessions.
The rooms and mentors stay in the same room the entire duration of the event
Students are free to choose which mentoring session they would like to sit in.
Students must register in advance in order to attend a mentoring sessions
Students can attend one or multiple sessions.

 
Mentoring Sessions:

Click the mentors names below to learn more information about them!

Room 1 (JC ROOM A): Broadcast and Digital/Print Journalism 

Room 2 (JC ROOM B): Media Production 

  • Nathan Crawford, Executive Producer- 12 On Your Side (Mentor)
  • Rob Hargreaves, Business Operations and Strategy-Discovery Communications (Mentor)
  • Anna Wood, Community Television Coordinator-Ashby Ponds(Mentor)
  • Ximena Bustillo, Politics Reporter- NPR (Mentor)
  • Gavin Gibbons, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)-National Fisheries Institute (Insight Committee Member Facilitator) 

Room 3 (JC ROOM C): Public Relations Agency & In-House

  • Sara Lanphere, VP of Public Relations-Sage Communications (Mentor)
  • Matt McAlvanah, Partner-Monument Advocacy (Mentor)
  • Kristin Mesick, Strategy, Planning and Performance-Hilton (Mentor)
  • Chad Tragakis, Director of Communications-Northrop Grumman (Insight Committee Member Facilitator) 

Room 4 (JC ROOM D): Advocacy Communications 

Room 5 (JC ROOM E): Communication By Other Names 

  • Bryon McGarry, Air Force, DoD Spokesperson (Mentor)
  • Matthew Wright, Deputy Director, Science Press Package- American Association for the Advancement of Science (Mentor)
  • Anne McBride, VP of Impact- James Beard Foundation (Mentor)
  • Chantée Christian, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- My Best SHIFT (Insight Committee Member Facilitator) 

Room 6 (JC ROOM F): Strategic Use of Social Media & Influencer Marketing

  • Merone Hailemeskel, Digital Communications Associate- President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (Mentor)
  • Melissa Judy, Social Media Manager- @VaDOTNOVA (Virginia Department of Transportation) (Mentor)
  • Joseph Ferguson, TikTok Host and Producer- The Washington Post (Mentor)
  • Julie Murphy, President- Sage Communications (Insight Committee Member Facilitator) 

Room 7 (JC ROOM G): Sports Communications

  • Britt Waters, Washington Wizards In-Game Host (Mentor)
  • Shaun Salehi, Associate Producer- Monumental Sports (Mentor)
  • Ric Wilson, Jordan Brand-Nike and Converse (Mentor)
  • Mark LaFrance, Associate Athletic Director, Digital Media & Marketing- George Mason University (Mentor)
  • Tyler Byrum, Mystics Digital Content Specialist, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (Mentor)
  • Bill Rohland, Play by Play, Men's Basketball- George Mason University (Insight Committee Member Facilitator) 

*Mentors subject to change

 

Networking and Mentoring Sessions Schedule:

8:30am to 9:00am: Student and Mentor Check-in and Networking Breakfast with Insight Committee members and Mentors (Johnson Center third floor West lounge area next to lettered meeting rooms A-G)

9:00am- 9:20am: Welcome & Introduction to the Mentoring Sessions (5 minute warning until first session begins)

9:25am to 9:55am: First Mentoring Session (20-25 minutes)

10:00am to 10:25am: Second Mentoring Session (25 minutes)

10:30am to 10:55am: Third Mentoring Session (25 minutes)

11:00am to 11:25am: Fourth Mentoring Session (25 minutes)

11:30am to 11:55am: Fifth Mentoring Session (25 minutes)

12:00pm: Last mentoring sessions conclude

12:00pm to 12:30pm: Stick around to chat and network with any mentors you were not able to meet!

 

Location:

Johnson Center, third floor lettered meeting rooms

Remember to dress your best for the career forum!

Need some professional clothing?

The JC Penney Suit Up Event is BACK on October 10th! Hosted by GMU Career Services 

Open to all George Mason students, alumni and faculty/staff

Even if some work place dress codes have loosened up a bit in recent years, job seekers still need suits, slacks, blouses, blazers and such for interviews and other hiring events. A great belt or nice shoes go a long way for every day wear as well. Career Services are partnering with JC Penney again this year for the Suit-up Event on Friday, October 10th. George Mason students, alumni and staff get Up to 45% off most professional clothing items in the store during the event. Attendees should bring their George Mason ID; the card or mobile ID will be accepted.

JC Penney Fall Suit-Up Event 

Join us for the JCPenney Suit-Up Event, where George Mason students and alumni can score exclusive discounts on high-quality professional attire, accessories, and even salon services! 

Whether you're prepping for interviews, internships, or your next big career move, this is your chance to look sharp and feel confident. Plus, UCS staff will be on hand to offer tips on how to dress to impress. 

Invest in yourself, your future, and your confidence. 

No registration needed – just show up and shop! 

Dates: October 10, 2025 

Location: JCPenney Store, Fair Oaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033 

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Fun fact: the Gunston Mason Go-Bus shuttle route runs from Sandy Creek to stops at Fair Lakes/Fair Oaks shopping centers.

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