As campus protests and demonstrations have become increasingly common at universities nationwide, George Mason University has taken a proactive approach to supporting students through these events. The Student Expression Advocacy (SEA) Team, part of the university’s Rapid Response Collaborative, exists to ensure that students are informed of their rights, connected to resources, and supported during campus events — from protests and demonstrations to career fairs and commencement ceremonies.
The team held its spring kickoff meeting on February 12, 2026, bringing together 20 of its 24 members. Facilitated by University Life (UL) Senior Assistant Dean Lori Scher, the meeting centered on the team’s core mission: providing support for student expression during campus protests, demonstrations involving external groups exercising their First Amendment rights, and planned events such as career fairs and commencement ceremonies. To that end, team members worked to establish clear roles and expectations for Advocates, who serve as frontline supporters engaging with students during events, promoting safety, and helping them navigate university policies and understand their rights.
SEA Team Advisors include Brent Ericson (assistant dean and director of Student Conduct), Josh Kinchen (director of LGBTQ+ Resources), Phil McDaniel (associate director of Student Involvement), and Colton Goodman (assistant director of Housing and Residence Life). UL Planning Manager Angie Villegas (currently on parental leave) has also been instrumental in forming and developing this team.
“The Advisors [Brent, Josh, Phil, and Colton] are integral to this work,” said Scher. “They each offer deep expertise, which is critical as we work to advance the team’s strategic direction, ensure alignment with university policies, and foster a truly supportive environment for student expression.”
Scher also emphasized the value of the kickoff meeting in building community among team members: “By coming together, we are not just establishing roles; we are fostering a strong team-based culture that is essential for the success of our mission.”
The SEA Team is vital for several reasons:
- Fostering a culture that supports freedom of expression
- Ensuring students are well-connected to resources and support
- Collaborating with Risk, Safety, and Resilience (RSR), Emergency Management (EM), and the Police Department (PD) to cultivate strong relationships
- Helping students adhere to policies and understand their rights
The team is also working directly with student leaders to assess perceptions of campus demonstrations and the work of UL Rapid Response through student focus groups and outreach efforts, with the goal of strengthening its visibility and connection with the campus community.
Looking ahead, the Rapid Response Collaborative will expand with the development of a Compassionate Support Team and an Emergency Response Team. Villegas, along with the Advisors, will work on defining roles, determining activation protocols for the various teams, and organizing training sessions that empower this critical work.
Interested in joining the SEA Team or getting involved in Rapid Response work? Contact Lori Scher or Angie Villegas.