A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Jason Davidson will host a discussion of his new book on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. in Monroe Hall, Room 346. Joining him will be Arthur Speyer, senior analyst with the Marine Corps Intelligence Agency and adjunct instructor at UMW, who will offer commentary. The event will conclude with time for audience questions.
Please join us for an upcoming public debate on a timely and thought-provoking topic:
Training AI models on copyrighted works without permission violates copyright law
Date & Time: Nov. 18th at 3:30 p.m.
Location: Weatherly Wing, Seacobeck Hall
Program:
Following the debate, we’ll open the floor for audience questions and comments. This event provides an excellent opportunity to engage in an important discussion about the intersection of technology, creativity, and the law.
Please encourage your students to attend. Attendance sheets will be available for students receiving class credit. After the event, I will send information to faculty who wish to confirm attendance for their students.
2025 Jewish Cultural Celebration Major Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey Grossman
Wednesday, Nov. 19
7 p.m. in Monroe Hall Room 116
Grossman is associate professor of German at the University of Virginia, a founder of its Jewish Studies program and a scholar of German and German-Jewish literature, Yiddish literature and literary translation.
YOU’RE INVITED: Faculty & staff Thanksgiving Lunch will be held Thursday, Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cedric Rucker University Center Chandler Ballroom.
Tickets are available for purchase from the Dining Concierge (located outside Panera in the Cedric Rucker University Center) weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. You may also purchase tickets from the cashiers at the Top of the Cedric Rucker University Center.
TICKET PRICES:
SEATING TIMES: Tickets will be sold for one of three seating times: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m.
If you will be coming in between those hours, select the earlier hour. For example: If you’ll be arriving at 11:30 a.m., please purchase a ticket for the 11 a.m. seating time, and let us know that you’ll be arriving at 11:30 a.m.
TABLE RESERVATIONS: Please note that the purchase of tickets and making table reservations are separate processes. If you want to make sure you can sit with your friends, family members or co-workers, please be sure to make a reservation. If you have questions, contact Rose Benedict at rbenedic@umw.edu.We look forward to seeing you during the holiday season!
Contact dining@umw.edu for more info or click here to make table reservations.
Experience the joy, charm and community spirit of Fredericksburg. The season kicks off with a Holiday Open House Weekend on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16 with additional events throughout the winter. Downtown is especially bustling this time of year with boutiques, shops and art galleries open for shopping and visits.
Many participating shops will feature:
Santa Claus will be at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center spreading joy, hearing holiday wishes and posing for festive photo ops. Enjoy the atmosphere along streets adorned with glowing lights and shops with seasonal windows that truly set the scene for the season. One of Fredericksburg’s favorite holiday traditions, the Tree Lighting, will take place at Riverfront Park. Gather with friends and family to watch the holiday season officially sparkle to life.
More seasonal celebrations downtown include:
See more holiday events on the Holidays in Fredericksburg webpage.
Have you ever wondered how artificial intelligence (AI) is affecting college education or how it affects life beyond Mary Washington?
In the next Mary Talk, hear from Leah Schweitzer, director of the Speaking and Writing Center and also of the Writing Intensive Program at UMW as she talks about these issues and more. She’ll discuss how students are navigating AI, especially as it applies to writing and communication. She’ll also consider how both students and professionals can leverage AI as they move forward in their careers – as well as what they probably shouldn’t do with AI.
Learn more and register now for this Mary Talk!
The link to the live streaming session will be in the confirmation email you receive. Can’t watch live? Register anyway and you can use the link to watch the recording at a later time.
Assistant Dean of Students CJ Porter
Porter received the Outstanding Professional Award from NASPA–Virginia, the state chapter of the national association for student affairs professionals.
Assistant Dean of Students Chris “CJ” Porter has been recognized by NASPA–Virginia, the state chapter of the national association for student affairs professionals, with its Outstanding Professional Award. The honor was presented at the chapter’s annual November conference, which brings together student affairs practitioners from colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.
NASPA is the leading professional home for the field of student affairs, supporting evidence-based, student-centered practices nationally and globally. Its Virginia chapter annually celebrates professionals who demonstrate significant leadership, innovation and impact on student success.
Porter was honored for her work developing and advancing UMW’s pre-arrival and support programs for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a model now recognized by colleagues statewide. Her nominator wrote, “while the program itself is impressive, it is the obvious care and concern for her students and the effort she had to make to ensure its success that really stood out.”
Porter shared on social media that the surprise award “felt pretty good” after hearing her own program being described during the announcement. Congratulations to Assistant Dean Porter on this well-deserved recognition!
Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao
Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts Anand Rao was recently spotlighted in wide-ranging AI coverage.
On two Fredericksburg-based podcasts Rao discussed UMW’s leadership in AI education and the evolving role of the liberal arts in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
He joined UMW alumnus Kevin Hughes of Stack Infrastructure on The New Dominion Podcast for an episode titled “AI and the Future of UMW.” The conversation explored the rise of data centers in Virginia, the accelerating impact of generative AI, and why the liberal arts are increasingly essential in shaping ethical, responsible innovation. Listen here.
He was also a guest on Coffee Talk, the monthly podcast of the Fredericksburg Free Press, hosted by Joey LoMonaco. The discussion highlighted the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, how UMW is preparing students to navigate and shape AI-driven workplaces, and what emerging technologies mean for human creativity, communication, and culture. Listen here.
Other media mentions and events for Rao include:
How to Cultivate AI Literacy in the Classroom (Oxford University Press)
Rao joined Stefan Bauschard, AI education policy consultant and adjunct instructor at UMW, as a featured presenter in a national masterclass hosted by Oxford University Press (OUP) titled “How to Cultivate AI Literacy in the Classroom.” The free, one-hour session brought together educators from across the country who are navigating the growing influence of generative AI on teaching and learning. Rao and Bauschard discussed strategies for helping students critically evaluate AI-generated content, integrate AI constructively into coursework, and maintain academic integrity in an environment where powerful tools are widely available. Listen here.
At Univ. of Mary Washington, an AI-Relevant Curriculum Gives Both Students and Faculty an Upper Hand (AI Data Press)
UMW’s leadership was featured in AI Data Press, a national publication covering innovation in artificial intelligence and workforce development. The article highlights insights from Rao on preparing students for a rapidly changing professional landscape shaped by generative AI. Rather than aiming to make curricula “AI-proof,” Rao advocates for making them “AI-relevant,” emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, research and ethical reasoning — skills that help graduates adapt throughout their careers. The piece showcases UMW initiatives, including AI literacy programs, partnerships with local schools and classroom practices that integrate AI responsibly. Rao also notes that understanding AI’s societal implications — such as environmental costs and data bias — is essential for informed decision-making. Read more.
Professor of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman
Professor of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman was featured by DW News, a German public broadcast service, in a segment titled “How severely has the shutdown affected the American people and the broader economy?” In the segment, Cooperman responds to a question about the shutdown, saying “I’m here in Virginia and we have two Democratic senators. One who is up for reelection in 2026 who is still voting no. He was not among that group that crossed over to try to find a deal, a way back to end the government shutdown. The other senator was elected in 2024 and so is not facing voters until 2030.” Throughout the piece she continues to add her expertise in response to questions from an interviewer. Watch on Youtube.
President Troy D. Paino
University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino wrote a column for The Virginian-Pilot titled, “Virginia leads the nation in pathways from learning to earning.” In the column Paino discusses Virginia’s position as the “Top State for Talent.” Read more.
Other media mentions for Paino include:
Virginia Business honors trailblazing leaders at inaugural ICON Awards luncheon (WTVR)
The red carpet was rolled out inside the historic Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond on Thursday as some of Virginia’s most influential business, education, and government leaders were honored at the inaugural ICON Honors Awards luncheon hosted by Virginia Business magazine. Icon 2025 honorees included Troy Paino, University of Mary Washington. Read more.
The 2025 Virginia Icon Honors Awards (Virginia Business)
Since 2016, Troy Paino has served as president of the University of Mary Washington, where he has overseen major construction projects and the growth of academic course offerings. Paino has also raised the university’s profile. This year, the school ranked No. 131 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. Mary Washington also made several 2026 Princeton Review lists, including Best Value Colleges. Additionally, under Paino’s tenure, the university in 2023 received a $30 million bequest from a 1959 alumna — the largest financial gift in its history. Read more.