FIRST WORDS

CREATING PATHWAYS

As we embark on another academic year, I wanted to highlight some of the fabulous work being done by our faculty, staff, and students.

Our Mason Virginia Promise (MVP) initiative is ready to provide every Virginia resident a pathway to a bachelor’s degree or help starting their own business. In short, show us your Point A, and MVP will help you reach your Point B.

To achieve this, we’re creating new pathways to success and establishing partnerships across the state. Building on the success of Mason’s ADVANCE Program with Northern Virginia Community College, Mason is launching similar partnerships— called Mason Academies—with community colleges around the state. The university is also increasing financial aid for the more than 3,000 transfer students annually in need.

For budding entrepreneurs, Mason Enterprise offers a network of free resources and training throughout Virginia, including 27 Small Business Development Centers. Last year, Mason helped more than 11,000 small business owners, with the majority of businesses being women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned.

An important onramp to MVP is Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP), which partners with Northern Virginia schools to recruit middle school students aiming to become the first member of their family to earn a four-year degree.

Providing year-round services, EIP guides students and families through numerous pre-college steps and unfamiliar processes, and offers scholarships and grants, all to break down barriers to higher education.

Of the 112 graduates in EIP this spring, 95 have been admitted to college. Forty-two will attend Mason. Another 35 will attend universities around the commonwealth.

Speaking at a Board of Visitors meeting, EIP student Samantha Dawkins cited the “guidance, attention, and compassion” she has received at Mason. Samantha will graduate with an environmental and sustainability studies degree and has a Mason-funded grant to research solutions to local food insecurity.

“I plan to serve my community just as my community served me,” she said.

Michele Adjei-Fah, whom I met when Mason announced our first Mason Academy partnership with Germanna Community College, was drawn to Mason not only for our community health program but also because “everyone is welcome here.”

She’s right. Everyone is welcome at Mason. And that’s a promise we intend to keep.

MVP programs help develop a prepared, diverse workforce for our region and state, graduates whose grit and determination shine through on our campuses and in our communities. Through Mason, they arrive at Point B.

Gregory Washington President, George Mason University A MAGAZINE FOR THE GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

spirit.gmu.edu

MANAGING EDITOR Colleen Kearney Rich, MFA ’95

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Melanie Balog Priyanka Champaneri, BA ’05, MFA ’10

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Madison Rudolf, BA ‘22

CONTRIBUTORS Mariam Aburdeineh, BA ’13 Damian Cristodero Mary Cunningham John Hollis Rebecca Kobayashi Katie Maney Anna Stolley Persky Laura Powers Anne Reynolds Corey Jenkins Schaut, MPA ’07 Pam Shepherd Preston Williams

DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION Claire Brandt Joan Dall'Acqua Jeeun Lee Namgoong Michaela Reilly, BA ‘21 Azriel Towner, BFA ‘19

PHOTOGRAPHY AND MULTIMEDIA Ron Aira Melissa Cannarozzi Evan Cantwell, MA ’10 Sierra Guard, BFA ‘22

PRODUCTION MANAGER Brian Edlinski

EDITORIAL BOARD Stephanie Aaronson, BA ‘94 Deputy Vice President for Communications and Mason Media Paul G. Allvin Vice President for University Branding and Chief Brand Officer Trishana E. Bowden Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Kathleen Diemer Associate Vice President for Advancement Relations Robin Rose Parker Assistant Vice President for Communications 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 University Branding. George Mason University is an equal opportunity employer that encourages diversity.