After graduating from the Master of Science in Management program at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, Stone Brickhouse, MS Management ‘21, MBA ‘25, found that he approached decision making at work entirely differently.
The timing could not have been any better with him beginning a new management role a week after graduating from the program. “The timing of this transition allowed me to immediately apply the concepts and frameworks I was learning in real time,” he says. “In this role, I gained a new perspective on top-down decision making, shifting from the middle management viewpoint I’d previously had.”
Driven to keep learning and be better, Brickhouse chose Costello’s MS in management program because it offered a clear pathway to get his MBA. “It allowed me to pursue further education and gain valuable business acumen while still being early in my career,” he says. “We were able to learn from each other, grow together, and build lasting relationships.” He found within this cohort that many of his classmates were at similar points in their careers.
In addition to building a network among his classmates, Brickhouse greatly benefitted from the guidance of Victoria Grady, associate professor of management and director of the MS in management program, who continues to play the mentor role today in his career. “It’s rare to find an instructor so invested in your academic, personal, and professional development,” he says. “Dr. Grady consistently champions my achievements, even engaging with and encouraging me on LinkedIn. That level of genuine mentorship has made a lasting difference in my life.”
Grady was there at the beginning of Brickhouse’s Costello journey, as she interviewed him for admission into the MS in management program, and she taught one of his most impactful courses. When it came time to apply for the MBA program, she wrote him a glowing letter of recommendation. “Stone Brickhouse completed his master's in management with the 2020-2021 cohort,” says Grady. “It was a tough year as we were still squarely in the middle of the COVID pandemic, but Stone's positive attitude and resilient spirit were an example for everyone, including me, throughout the process."
Brickhouse was able to make these strong and meaningful connections despite completing the program online. Living and working in Richmond, Virginia, he was not previously familiar with George Mason. However, his own research showed how competitive the program was and what a great fit it was for him. Another selling point was reading about the diversity that George Mason is so known for—whether it be diversity of race, ethnicity, religion, thought, etc.
Recently, Brickhouse’s incredible drive was honored by George Mason’s Black Alumni Chapter as one of their 40 under 40. “There were so many pioneers included in this year’s class, and to think that I’m likened to their accomplishments—especially while I’m still in my mid-20s—is both validating and reassuring,” he says.
An MBA at Costello was already in the plans for Brickhouse. He found himself at a point in his young career where he was more qualified for strategic positions, and he both trusted and enjoyed his graduate experience at Costello. “The MBA program offers a unique opportunity to adopt visionary, big-picture solutions to process obstacles, positioning myself to tackle more complex challenges and lead with a broader perspective,” he says. As a brand-new MBA graduate, and now Costello double alumnus, Brickhouse can clearly see himself in the boardroom making important decisions. He now has the skills, mindset, and resume to make that happen. That journey continues, as he recently stepped into a senior operations management role in food distribution—relocating to Miami to apply those same strategic principles on a larger scale.