Vice President Rose Pascarell Reflects on Mason’s Legacy of Empowering Student Voters

By: Saahiti Kiran Chamala, Mason Votes Managing Editor

Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell spoke with Mason Votes on November 3, 2025. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services

On November 3rd, Mason Votes met with Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell to discuss George Mason University’s continued dedication to civic engagement, the evolution of student voter participation, and how Mason Votes helps prepare students to become active participants in democracy.

Mason has long been recognized as a Voter-Friendly Campus, a distinction that underscores its dedication to student involvement in civic life. Pascarell expressed pride in the university’s national reputation for civic engagement. “First of all, I’m really, really proud about the voter-friendly campus designation that Mason has. And even more proud of Mason Votes, which I want to say we began, I think in 2007,” she said. “As it’s evolved over the years, including getting the voter-friendly campus [designation], Mason has become more and more well known for its focus on civic engagement.”

She explained that Mason Votes began with “small aspirations,” but has grown into a central piece of Mason’s civic life. “We have a whole center that’s committed to civic engagement right now,” she noted, adding that other units such as the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement also play key roles. “Year over year, we’ve seen that increase, and it’s why I think Mason has a higher than average proportion of students who vote than do other campuses around the country.”

Pascarell emphasized that civic engagement extends beyond the ballot box. “Honestly, I always think about the college campus, particularly at a public institution, as a learning lab for service,” she said. “There are lots of ways to really participate in democracy—voting is one really important way, but there are many other ways to become involved and really become an active member of not just the campus community, but the overall community.”

She praised Mason’s culture of open dialogue and activism: “We have a strong record of promoting freedom of expression, but also student activism. I really appreciate when students feel so passionate about a national or a global issue that they choose to kind of raise their voice in ways outside of voting.”

When asked about efforts to make voting easier and more approachable, Pascarell highlighted Mason Votes Ambassadors and the Democracy Lab. “I really do believe that Mason Votes Ambassadors have done an incredible job,” she said. “You also know that [Dr. Jennifer Victor] hosts the Democracy Lab through her appointment at the Schar School, but also the Democracy Lab is a living-learning community and it’s really one of our most active and most successful.”

She also pointed to Braver Angels, a dialogue initiative hosted by the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement. “It brings together students and staff and faculty, but primarily students who have different opinions and a discussion around letting people share their opinions and share their approach on various contentious issues,” Pascarell said. “We’re living at a time in this country where it’s really difficult to have dissenting opinions. The programs that we offer and the opportunities that are offered in the classroom to really hash it out is [something] so important.”

For students voting for the first time, Pascarell encouraged preparation and engagement. “Get on the Mason Votes website. Look for the links to all the candidates… you can go directly to the candidate websites,” she advised. “To go directly to candidate websites to look for their positions in general, but [also] on issues that a student might feel passionate about, is a really important way to educate yourself.”

She added that this year’s elections are particularly significant. “Some really important issues are going to be determined based on who our elected officials are. So I would say to any student voting for the first time, how lucky you are to be voting in a really consequential set of races.”

Pascarell also reflected on why every ballot counts. “There was a really significant race in the General Assembly in Virginia… literally, the race was decided by one vote. And I lie not to you,” she recalled. “If this isn’t a really clear example [of] why every vote counts, I don’t know what is.”

She described civic participation as something that strengthens with experience. “As you come into college and if you’re voting for the first time, yeah, it’s really important to vote. But then voting also leads hopefully to the understanding that every individual has a say in this democracy,” she said.

When asked how Mason supports students who face barriers such as registration or absentee voting, Pascarell said much of it comes down to awareness and outreach. “A lot of it is around voter awareness, right? Making sure as best we can that students understand how to vote and where they can vote,” she said. “We have a very strong voter registration initiative as the semester begins. It’s all about figuring out, okay, I’m registered to vote, where can I vote, what’s the time of the voting location? And my gosh, now that Virginia has early voting, I say to everybody, there’s no reason why every single person in the Commonwealth shouldn’t vote.”

Pascarell added that Mason’s partnerships help sustain that effort. “Our relationship with the Fairfax County [Registrar] and the League of Women Voters… that doesn’t just start on Election Day, that starts way before.”

As the conversation closed, Pascarell shared a direct message for Mason students ahead of Election Day:

“I have one word to say — VOTE. Your voice is your vote so use it!!”

Today is Election Day. Polls are open across Virginia—so make your plan, bring your ID, and cast your ballot.Have you voted yet?

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Slider Photo: Courtesy of Rose Pascarell