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George Mason University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is leading the way in robotics with the approval of Virginia’s first PhD program in robotics that will launch in fall 2025. On July 10, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) officially approved the trailblazing program that will educate future leaders in the growing field.
Mechanical engineering Department Chair Leigh McCue and leading robotics faculty across the College of Engineering and Computing combined forces to create the multidisciplinary program that spans mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity.
“George Mason is a powerhouse in robotics,” says McCue. With over 30 faculty members in the field, numerous labs, and research projects, students in the program have access to countless opportunities.
The approval for this program was years in the making and involved many faculty, and it’s coming at the right time to make an impact. “With faculty like Missy Cummings, who will be the program director, Cameron Nowzari, Quentin Sanders, Daigo Shishika, Ningshi Yao, and many more, plus our centers and labs that span across all of our northern Virginia campuses, it felt like the time was right to put together a multidisciplinary program that brings together many great researchers,” says McCue.
The new labs in the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC) in Fairfax, the Life Sciences and Engineering Building on the SciTech campus, and Mason Square’s Fuse building in Arlington increase the college’s capabilities by providing state-of-the-art areas for designing and constructing any robotic system students and faculty envision, enhancing research and teaching activities.
MARC, which opened in spring 2024, is already pioneering designing secure and intelligent autonomous systems. “Every robotics PhD student has a home in MARC. Like the program, it spans expertise across the College of Engineering and Computing and other colleges throughout the university,” says Missy Cummings, PhD program director and director of MARC.
As the program grows, Cummings, McCue and mechanical engineering Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, Jeffrey Moran, hope to see more partnerships and opportunities for these students. “I hope to see the types of projects diversify over the next ten years. Robotics is everywhere, and it touches so many industries, so I would like to see us break into new research areas, such as medical robots or micro-robotics,” says Moran.
Cummings adds that they are looking to partner with other universities and colleges across the state to support this growth and access to research in robotics.
The program is ready for transfer students starting in fall 2025. The department’s decision to fast-track the launch reflects high student interest and strong faculty readiness. “We have the talent, the infrastructure, and a clear vision,” says McCue. “This program is ready to go.” New students may apply for January 2026.