Throughout her career at George Mason University, Annie Lonetti has been a part of many landmark moments in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society.
Lonetti, the department’s office manager, is in her 11th year of employment at Mason. She spent her first 10 years working on the Prince William campus, but she transferred to Fairfax when the newly named Department of Criminology, Law and Society moved into the Aquia Building.
She has experienced the evolution of the administration of justice program, which began with only a few faculty members and an undergraduate degree, to the formation of the department as it stands today, with a master’s and a PhD program.
“It is exciting to see the department grow so quickly and also very rewarding to know that I am part of this,” she said.
She began as an administrative assistant, processing paperwork, making travel arrangements, ordering supplies and serving as the undergraduate advisor. In her fifth year of employment, she took on more of a managerial role. She was given her official title of office manager when the department moved to Fairfax.
Her responsibilities have increased greatly since her days as an administrative assistant, but Lonetti says she has always enjoyed the job for both personal and professional reasons.
“Personally, we’ve hired a wonderful staff and the department has achieved significant goals,” she said. “Professionally, I've been privileged to meet top criminologists in the country, and I’ve worked with faculty who are well-respected in the field.”
“It is very humbling.”
Lonetti has earned some recognition of her own for her work achievements. She was Mason’s Employee of the Month in March of 2007, and on Dec. 2, 2010, she earned the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ 10th annual Mary Roper Award. Her colleagues nominated her for both awards.
“I appreciate all the support I've gotten from faculty and staff over the years,” she said. “I'm thankful that I'm working at George Mason University.”
February 12, 2011
