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George Mason University’s ADVANCE program, which partners with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to help students earn four-year degrees at Mason, is celebrating its first four graduates next week.

The ADVANCE graduates are Amir Bhatti, Rocio Cornero, Erica Koprowski and David Kowalewski.

“I am very proud of these graduates,” said Ashlie Prioleau, executive director of the ADVANCE program. “They thought strategically about their education and how to achieve a Mason degree while spending less money for it. They are dedicated to their education, intelligent, determined. To achieve this important milestone in a pandemic means these students are tenacious.”

Read more about the ADVANCE program’s graduates

Gold Rush at Mason traditionally signals the start of basketball season. Mason students weren’t about to let the global pandemic prevent them from showing their school spirit, and they turned out for four days of Virtual Gold Rush 2020 festivities, including T-shirt giveaways, a virtual murder mystery, virtual Kahoot and a weekend-long treasure hunt, all from Nov. 11-15.

The events were jointly hosted by Student Involvement, University Life and Student Government.

See more Gold Rush photos

Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life, was recently honored with the Pillars of the Profession award by the NASPA Foundation. Each year, the organization honors exceptional members of the student affairs and higher education community who represent outstanding contributions to the field. “It is an honor to be acknowledged by my peers and colleagues. And, honestly, there’s no way I could achieve this in this role without the skill, intelligence, collaboration, and collegiality of the teams I’ve worked with who truly know what it means to put students first,” Pascarell said.

Student Media and Mason Votes, working with Mason student-athletes, produced a video on the topic “I Vote Because….” Watch the video. With Mason Cable Network, they are collaborating on a live election night broadcast starting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 airing on YouTube, featuring Mason students, MCN anchors, members of the Mason Votes Editorial Team, and some faculty members as expert guests. Learn more at masonvotes.gmu.edu.

This year presented many challenges, but 2020 is also proof of what the George Mason University community can collectively do when it works together.

The global pandemic has resulted in unprecedented economic hardships, and Mason students haven’t been immune to its adverse effects. Faculty, staff, parents, alumni and community donors have come together in the Patriots Helping Patriots initiative, created by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations to provide urgent help to those in financial need.

Read more about the initiative

Family Weekend includes faculty speakers, a virtual cooking class, an evening under the stars, and meetings with Mason leadership, including a conversation with President Gregory Washington. Learn more about the program.

Although we are unable to provide our traditional, in-person events, we are committed to helping you create your own Family Weekend 2020 experience!

Event Highlights

We are offering live events that you can participate in from the comfort of your home. Online registration is required for most events, and the registration links are listed within the Schedule of Events at MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu.

• Faculty Spotlights
  • Oct. 23, 7 p.m.: #LivingWhileBlack: Social Justice in the Age of Social Media featuring Dr. Shayna Maskell
  • Oct. 31, 7 p.m.: Inside the Real Criminal Minds featuring Dr. Mary Ellen O’Toole
  • Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Exploring Emerging Infectious Disease and COVID-19 featuring Dr. Amira Roess
• Events with Senior Leaders
  • Oct. 30; 5:30 p.m.: Meet Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life
  • Nov. 9; 1 p.m.: Lunch with Provost Mark Ginsberg
• Virtual Cooking Class: Oct. 25, 12 p.m.: Let’s Do Brunch! featuring Mason Dining Chefs
• Theme Week: Dress up and take fun and silly pictures with your Mason family! Take pictures in your outfits of the day using our online photo booth with frames and filters made specifically for Family Weekend 2020. Post them on your socials and hashtag #VFW20
  • Oct. 26: Mason Spirit Monday (Mason-related items and colors)
  • Oct. 27: Touchdown Tuesday (athletic apparel from your favorite sports team)
  • Oct. 28: Time Warp Wednesday (clothing items synonymous with specific decades)
  • Oct. 29: Vacay Thursday (vacation wear)
  • Oct. 30: Fantasy Friday (favorite fictional television, film, comic, or book character)
  • Oct. 31: Halloween (costume or fall apparel) 

Digital Activity Guides

In addition to our scheduled events that will be held in real time, we encourage you to explore our Digital Activity Guides. Whether you’re exploring NoVA or staying home, engage in your own activities to make this Family Weekend one you won’t soon forget! These guides include local activities that are good for social distancing, dining, and shopping that will keep your Mason family entertained throughout the fall season.

2020 Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award

Mason students are encouraged to nominate their family for the 10th annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award! Students can submit either a written essay or a creative work of art discussing why their family is worthy of being the Family of the Year. The winning family will receive a $100 gift card to the University Bookstore, a featured article on gmu.edu, and be featured on the cover of the 2021-2022 Mason Family Calendar. Applications are open now and close on Nov. 6.

If you have any questions regarding Family Weekend, visit MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu or contact New Student and Family Programs at [email protected] or (703) 993-2475.

George Mason University’s University Career Services is expecting 100 employers to attend its Fall 2020 Virtual Career Fair held Oct. 8 and 9. The fair is intended for students of all majors interested in exploring internships, part-time jobs and full-time employment to meet with potential employers.  Students wishing to attend must register by Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Read more about the Career Fair