Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94, rector of the Board of Visitors, describes George Mason University as an “invisible guiding hand” to the Northern Virginia region.
A cornerstone of the community for more than five decades, George Mason has contributed to a vibrant economy, not only in Fairfax, Virginia, but also in the Washington D.C., metropolitan region by preparing hundreds of thousands of students for the workforce. These George Mason alumni, Shrivastava says, have helped build one of the nation’s most highly educated and technologically advanced regions, strengthening the university’s reputation as a hub for innovation and opportunity.
“George Mason has made higher education and entrepreneurship possible for generations of my immigrant family. I give back to honor that legacy and carry it forward.”
For Shrivastava, George Mason’s impact on his life has spanned decades, shaping both his personal journey and professional success. A first-generation immigrant from India, Shrivastava saw the immense impact and value of higher education firsthand. His father, who started a successful IT business, worked to support the immigrant community, leading a commission that reported to the Clinton White House on how to make minority and small business contracting more effective. His father also served as an adjunct professor at George Mason, and his company hired many of his students. In continuing their family connection, Shrivastava and his wife both attended George Mason and three of their four children are George Mason students or alumni.
With more than 30 years of experience in the government IT industry, Shrivastava is an accomplished executive and proven business leader. In January 2026, he was appointed by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to serve as vice rector of George Mason’s Board of Visitors before being named rector in August 2026. He is currently the president and CEO of Unissant, where he focuses on delivering trusted, secure, and mission-critical data and technology solutions for federal healthcare and national security agencies. Previously, he served as chairman and CEO of ARRAY, guiding the company through its graduation from federal small business programs, a successful management buyout, and ultimately its acquisition by CGI Federal.
Shrivastava continues to stay actively engaged with George Mason, supporting initiatives that expand access and opportunity for students across the university, such as generous funding in support of the Institute for Immigration Research in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He is a past president of the George Mason University Alumni Association and former chair of the George Mason University Foundation Board of Trustees. He also served on the President’s Innovation Advisory Council, the Innovation Advisory Council, and in advisory roles supporting the Costello College of Business. He has been instrumental in launching the Baroni Center for Government Contracting and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship—both within George Mason’s Costello College of Business, advancing George Mason’s role as a driver of economic opportunity and entrepreneurship in the region.
Shrivastava’s leadership and generosity have helped advance Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason’s first $1 billion comprehensive campaign to meet the needs of a changing world. As one of the university’s most dedicated champions, he frequently shares George Mason’s impact with business and community leaders, pointing to its decades-long contributions to the region’s thriving economy and exceptional talent pipeline.
“My motivation for giving back to George Mason really comes foundationally from my journey as an immigrant—an 8-year-old kid in Fairfax County,” said Shrivastava. “Much of what we do to give back to George Mason is our way of honoring the opportunities this region has provided to us and countless others who were able to build successful lives and careers here. If it weren’t for George Mason, there’s no way I would be standing here today.”
What did your George Mason education make possible for you?
My whole career. I earned my executive MBA early in my career, and, for the past 30 years, I’ve relied on this foundation for every professional transition, major challenge, and period of change. The lessons I gained as an MBA student—and the confidence the experience gave me—have helped me navigate my career ever since.
Which skill from your degree do you use every day?
Like many George Mason students, I was working while earning my degree. I was also raising a family—I had a 6-month-old when I started—and navigating major changes as my family-run business evolved. Learning how to manage all of my responsibilities while working with others in a team environment has stayed with me throughout my career. This foundational skill helped me, both professionally and personally, throughout the rest of my life.
What role does human insight play in technology?
The role human insight plays in technology is huge, especially as we navigate the AI revolution. Too often people spend outsized energy on the technology itself and forget the people using it—who they are, how they use it, and what they need from it. My education at George Mason contributed to my understanding and approach to technology. I was leading a technology company while receiving a broad-based, liberal arts-oriented MBA experience, which helped me understand how to integrate the human element within technology. This foundation helped ensure our approach would really work for people.
How has your education shaped how you build companies?
My education has shaped the way I build companies throughout my career. I’m on my third journey of working with entrepreneurs, working alongside founders to help turn their visions into reality. I don’t necessarily consider myself an entrepreneur, but I’ve worked with many of them over the years.
I draw from what I learned at George Mason to help entrepreneurs refine their strategy, build strong organizations, and execute their vision. Earning an MBA after a few years of professional experience provided the ideal foundation for that work and has helped guide me throughout my career.