Master's in Finance Program

This award recognizes a graduate student who contributes positively to the program and embodies the values of service, engagement, and collaboration.

The Costello College of Business at George Mason University is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 Graduate Students of the Year. These individuals exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to their field. Learn why they chose George Mason, the impact of their business education, and the advice they would give to prospective students.

During his undergraduate studies, Brian Gaydos, MS Finance ’25, took several finance classes that piqued his interest and led him to consider beginning a finance graduate program immediately after graduating.

The Costello College of Business at George Mason University is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Graduate Students of the Year. These individuals exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to their field.

Meet Giorgia Sausa, our passionate Costello MS in Finance Student Ambassador from Italy, who is dedicated to global finance. With a background in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in economics and management, she chose George Mason University for its intensive one-year master’s program that prepares students for successful careers in finance.

Under the supervision of Costello professor Derek Horstmeyer, student-driven research insights are raising eyebrows among employers—and readers of major newspapers.

Finance professor Derek Horstmeyer's latest piece in the Wall Street Journal argues that when it comes to investing, real-time data on what others are buying and selling brings better returns than relying on analysts alone.

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University’s Graduate Students of the Year for 2023-2024 exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to their field. Here, they explain why they chose Mason, and offer advice to others considering master’s degrees in business.  

As soon as Theresa Marimwa, MS Finance ’23, enrolled at the Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University, she began getting noticed by recruiters. Furthermore, the coursework and faculty gave her the confidence to chase her dreams.

A first-generation college graduate, Melvin Reyes emigrated from El Salvador as a teenager, not speaking a word of English and unsure of his career goals. Now a Student Ambassador for the Master’s in Finance program, Reyes represents Costello College of Business graduate programs to the external and internal communities, embodying excellence and sharing his own student experiences with prospective students.