University Life

Category: Uncategorized

Congratulations, Class of 2019!

A Student Wearing Graduation Cap
Kelsi Gray. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Winter Graduation will take place this Thursday, December 19 at EagleBank Arena on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus, and we are fortunate to have two alumnae return as graduation speakers. Zainab Salbi and Deborah Willis are two Mason alumnae known for their transformative work. Read about their stories at www2.gmu.edu/news/580196.

Read More about Winter Graduation

Coaching Mason’s Success Coaches: A holistic approach to meeting student needs

Student Success Coaches

Students deciding on a major, and those transferring from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to George Mason University, are two of the groups supported by the Mason Care Network and ADVANCE Program. The success coaches guiding these students, and NOVA and Mason advising managers, received coaching of their own on Nov. 18-21 from InsideTrack.

Read more about Mason’s Success Coaches

Mason’s trans closet is a welcome campus resource

Trans closet photo

Atlas transferred to George Mason University in the fall of 2019 from John Tyler Community College in Chester, Virginia. He is transmasculine and said he was very surprised to learn about the newly opened a trans closet on Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

“When I first discovered that Mason had a trans closet, I was in disbelief,” he said.

Read More about the Trans Closet

Panel discussion promotes inspiration and empowerment through diversity and inclusion

Top view of diverse young people putting their hands on top of each other.

Tim Henson, a George Mason University freshman, took a moment to consider the recent Panel on Intersectional Identities, Disabilities and Empowerment, and agreed he liked what he heard.

“It’s great that Mason is taking steps toward an inclusive conversation about diversity,” the freshman environmental science and policy major said.

The panel on Oct. 30 in the Johnson Center Bistro discussed topics such as women’s empowerment and diverse accomplishments and identities. Kristina Angelevska, community solutions program fellow in Mason ‘s Women and Gender Studies Program, moderated the dialogue. The panel was brought to the Fairfax Campus by Mason’s Office of Disability Services, LGBTQ+ Resources, and the Women and Gender Studies Program.

Read more about the panel

New video series highlights campus innovations

VP Michelle Marks and Director Emilie Dubert

The Office of Academic Innovation and New Ventures has launched a new video series, “A Closer Look,” to highlight innovative programs at Mason. Michelle Marks, vice president of academic innovation and new ventures, kicks off the series with a conversation with Emilie Dubert, the director of the new Contemporary Student Services Office. Take a look at the first video.

Patriot fans gather outside EagleBank Arena for Gold Rush 2019

Students before GoldRush 2019

Patriot fans mingled outside EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus on Friday, Nov. 8, and tailgated as part of the 2019 Gold Rush and Family Weekend to support the men’s basketball team. Mason defeated Longwood, 76-65. Read more about the weekend.

Nontraditional family with tight bond is Mason’s 2019 Family of the Year

Mason's 2019 Family of the Year. From left to right: Aunt Trish, Aunt Sue, and Abby Butler-Cefalo.

George Mason University junior Abby Butler-Cefalo’s family is not the average one, but their bond is strong. This year, her family will receive the ninth annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award at Mason’s Family Weekend on Nov. 8-10.

Read More about the 2019 Family of the Year

Time for Tailgating

Tailgating
Come celebrate the Patriots before select men’s basketball games this 2019-20 season. The first tailgate will be on Friday, Nov. 8, in a section of Lot A prior to the men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. vs. Longwood. More information and other dates for tailgating.

Your family can still join us for Family Weekend!

Family at Gold Rush
Family Weekend 2019 is a few short days away. If you did not register online for Family Weekend, you can still join us this weekend! Family Weekend provides families with the opportunity to come together to connect, celebrate and make new memories, which is why our event schedule includes events for everyone. You can walk in and register on-site at Check-In, which begins at noon on Friday in Dewberry Lobby on the ground floor of the Johnson Center. Read more to ensure a smooth Family Weekend check-in process.

Mason to honor faculty and staff at outstanding achievement awards

President Cabrera with University Life staff at the Student Experience Summit
Faculty and staff participate in The Student Experience Workshop. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

George Mason University will host the 22nd annual Outstanding Achievement Awards for faculty and staff on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Johnson Center’s Dewberry Hall.

“The Outstanding Achievement Awards is one way Mason recognizes and honors the exceptional contributions of faculty and staff, by supporting and showing appreciation for those who work tirelessly, lead by example and embrace Mason’s values,” said Lester Arnold, Mason’s vice president for Human Resources and Payroll.

Read more about UL’s award-winning staff