MASON SPIRIT
FIRST WORDS
A MAGAZINE FOR THE GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
spirit.gmu.edu
THE ULTIMATE ‘POINT B’ UNIVERSITY I’d like to introduce you to a few Mason alumni—and future alumni: One is a 71-year-old student who noted in an email to me that both he and his wife attend the university. At an event, I met a woman who earned four degrees at Mason.
PHOTO BY RON AIRA
Another successful alum explained to me how he was able to craft his master’s degree program with prior course work and professional experience, offsetting the fact that he did not have an undergraduate degree. I love meeting our alumni and hearing how they connected with Mason where, and when, they needed. Mason’s ability to meet students where they are is nothing short of inspiring. This university is a success engine. We don’t care where your Point A is, we will get you to your Point B—whether you enroll out of high school, transfer from a community college, join us from the workforce or military, return to earn an advanced degree or credential, or, like the first example above, remain in dogged pursuit of your academic goals in your eighth decade of life. Mason will always be in the degree-granting and knowledge-producing business, but ultimately, we’re in the success business. And we know that success can take many forms. Soon, new endeavors will serve students and citizens from across the commonwealth.
M A N AG I N G E D I TO R Colleen Kearney Rich, MFA ’95 A S S O C I AT E E D I TO R S Melanie Balog Priyanka Champaneri, BA ’05, MFA ’10 Rob Riordan, MPA ’19 E D I TO R I A L A S S I S TA N T D’Zaunta C. Jones CO N T R I B U TO R S Mariam Aburdeineh, BA ’13 Christopher Bobo Kristen Greiner, MFA ‘20 Jeanene Harris John Hollis Rebecca Kobayashi Katie Maney Anna Stolley Persky Corey Jenkins Schaut, MPA ’07 Michelle Thompson Preston Williams D E S I G N A N D I L LU S T R AT I O N Claire Brandt Joan Dall'Acqua Marcia Staimer
That is why I am introducing the Mason Virginia Promise, which will extend our successful ADVANCE partnership with Northern Virginia Community College to other community colleges around the state, providing sufficient pathways to an education so that any Virginian whose Point B involves a university degree can get it with Mason’s help.
P H OTO G R A P H Y A N D M U LT I M E D I A Ron Aira Shelby Burgess Melissa Cannarozzi Evan Cantwell, MA ’10 Sierra Guard
The Mason Virginia Promise also extends to those Virginians who want to start a business but are not interested in a degree. Mason manages the 27 Virginia Small Business Development Centers around the state, where budding entrepreneurs can seek guidance.
P R O D U C T I O N M A N AG E R Brian Edlinski
In addition, the Mason Talent Exchange will help members of the workforce gain the new skills they need to pursue better opportunities for themselves and their families in the post-pandemic economy.
E D I TO R I A L B O A R D Paul G. Allvin Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing
The Mason Virginia Promise is a natural extension of who we are as a university. Yes, we have the fastest-growing research portfolio among U.S. public universities. Yes, Times Higher Education deems Mason the top U.S. university under 50 years old. Yes, we’re one of the most diverse universities in the country, with no marked graduation rate disparity based on race, ethnicity, or wealth status.
Trishana E. Bowden Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations
And, yes, Mason is the only Virginia university positioned to be a lifeline of opportunity for all Virginians. No other has our flexibility, transfer pathway infrastructure, or economic reach throughout the commonwealth.
Robin Rose Parker Interim Assistant Vice President for Communications
The success engine revs on. Gregory Washington President, George Mason University
Follow President Washington on Twitter at @gmupres. 2 | SPIRIT.GMU.EDU
Kathleen Diemer Associate Vice President for Advancement Relations
Jennifer W. Robinson, JM ‘02 Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Mason Spirit is published three times a year by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations and the Office of Communications and Marketing. George Mason University is an equal opportunity employer that encourages diversity.
