Category: Uncategorized

Contemporary Student Services Receives NASPA Excellence Award

George Mason University's commitment to innovative and transformative programs has once again been recognized on a national scale. University Life’s Contemporary Student Services team has been selected as the NASPA 2024 Excellence Award Category Bronze Honoree, showcasing the university's dedication to serving its diverse student population.

NASPA, the leading association for the advancement of the student affairs profession, annually recognizes outstanding contributions to higher education through exceptional programs, innovative services, and effective administration. The Excellence Awards cover twelve categories crucial to student success and the growth of the student affairs profession, highlighting initiatives that address critical needs in various student demographics.

The Contemporary Student Services (CSS) unit, which supports off-campus, post-traditional, and military-connected students at Mason, stood out in the category for Commuter, Off-Campus, Military-Connected, Non-traditional, and Related students.

Launched in 2019, CSS was developed and continues to serve as a first-of-its-kind unit dedicated to serving the emerging and current contemporary student populations of Mason. CSS advocates, celebrates, educates, and serves to create and support a Mason community where each student belongs, realizes, thrives, and succeeds. CSS is intentionally collaborative across Mason and the broader community.

Contemporary students and their needs continue to evolve and accordingly, CSS has taken a “test and learn” approach to its work.

Part of this work is to ensure contemporary students have a “seat at the table” -- and that they are encouraged to share their experience and expertise with their student colleagues and the broader community. One example is CSS’ expanded student staff roles – a newly established Contemporary Student Ambassador position that provides students the opportunity for leadership experiences while being compensated for time, ideas, insights, and sharing experience.

Led by Director Joisanne Rodgers and Associate Director Shyama Kuver, Contemporary Student Services has become a cornerstone of the University Life vision that “Every Student Succeeds.”

“Receiving the NASPA Excellence Award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our Contemporary Student Services team,” said Dr. Rodgers.“It reflects Mason's commitment to providing innovative and transformative experiences for all its students, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

GMU Esports Makes Name at NACE Finals

Cara Chiswell
December 5, 2023

CS2 Patriots Team: from left to right
(Top Row) Grayson Wood (’24), Christian Birkelback (’27), Max Laping (’26)
(Bottom Row) Sameer Khan (’25), Cody Crocker (’27), Andrew Crist (’25)
Photo by: Justus Johnson ‘25

Just one year ago, George Mason University Esports didn’t have a Counter Strike team. Now, Mason has one that’s ranked second in the nation.

Counter Strike 2 (CS2), formally known as Counter Strike: Global Offensive, is one of the longest running esports titles globally. It was first released in 2012, so it was no surprise that the students at Mason were hungry for a competitive CS2 team. So, during the 2022-23 esports year, Grayson Wood (class of ‘24), known in-game as “dr1ver,”took action.

Wood worked with the GMU Esports leadership team to develop what they thought would be a small CS2 community at Mason. However, after having a spectacular turnout for tryouts and seeing the love of the game present on campus, the GMU Esports leadership team decided to make CS2 a varsity game title. By elevating the teams from club teams to varsity, GMU Esports dedicated time, funding, and other resources to two CS2 teams named Patriots and Academy.

Shortly after, the CS2 Patriots team started to make waves.

The Patriots found initial success during the National Association for Collegiate Esports (NACE) conference Varsity Premiere group stage in Fall 2023. They suffered only one loss in the season, falling to Fisher College, and ended up in a three-way tie for first place in their group. Due to their skill throughout the season, the Patriots earned a spot in the Varsity Premiere playoffs, where they began to make Mason history.

After taking down Stony Brook University in the quarterfinals and defeating Kansas State in the semifinals, the CS2 Patriots punched their ticket to the NACE CS2 Grand Finals at Boise State in Boise, Idaho.

This win marked the first time in GMU Esports history that a team had qualified for the National Championships.

indigmuesportsteam — GMU Esports team member Audrey Irwin (’25)
Photo by: Cara G Chiswell ’24

The team flew to Boise State to face Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on December 3rd, 2023, for their chance to win $2,500 and a school title. Unfortunately, after taking an early lead against RIT in the first game of the series, the CS2 Patriots ended the series 1-2 following two more nail-biter games.

Although they didn’t win the championships, the CS2 Patriots returned to Fairfax with their heads held high, proud of their second-place finish and all they had accomplished in the season.

Now, the Patriots are gearing up for the Spring 2024 NACE season, where they hope to maintain their momentum and return to the National Championship—this time to take home gold.

About GMU Esports:

GMU Esports is a departmental student organization within Student Involvement at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The organization places strong emphasis on building a community around gaming for approximately 2,000 students at GMU, while competing at the highest level in seven varsity titles. Students compete in VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, Counter Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Call of Duty. For more information about GMU Esports, please visit https://si.gmu.edu/gmu-esports/ or follow GMU Esports on Instagram @gmuesports, GMU Esports on YouTube, and X and Twitch @gmu_esports.

Turkey and Syria Relief Efforts and Resources

The Mason community is deeply saddened by the loss of human life and the devastation of communities in Turkey and Syria – and we are equally humbled by the acts of courage, kindness, and determination we have seen.

If you have been affected by this disaster, Mason can help.

In support of Mason students, faculty, and staff who may have been impacted by this tragedy and in remembrance of those lives lost in the earthquake, University Life would like to host a candlelight vigil at the Clock Tower, Wilkins Plaza at 5PM (EST) on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. We hope you can join us in this campus-wide vigil as well as collaborate with us on collecting donation items to help with disaster relief.

The university offices listed below are committed to supporting student well-being and can serve as a valuable source of advice and aid to help you during this difficult time.

University Life Resources:

Student Support and Advocacy Center  for emotional and all emergency financial support
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for counseling support, both in-person and virtual
Office of International Programs and Services for international student support; a resource list to support those affected is coming soon

Donation Sites:

If you are in a position to donate money or goods to support relief efforts in the region, the following is a list of organizations gathered by members of the Mason community. (Please note that the university does not endorse any organization and encourages you to examine any organization carefully before making a donation at any time)

Advice on giving during international disasters from the US Agency for International Development – Center for International Disaster Information — https://www.cidi.org/how-to-help/

AFAD – Turkey’s official disaster and emergency management authority 

AHBAP – a non-governmental organization with search teams, serving basic necessities. 

AKUT – Volunteer/non-governmental organization in Turkey on the ground with search teams and rescue. 

GMU Brazilian Student Association

Islamic Relief USA

MedGlobal

Mercy USA, Launchgood 

Molham Team – Volunteer/non-governmental organization in Syria with on-the-ground search and rescue teams 

RedCross UK – working with the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to help across regions. 

Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)

Syria Forum USA

Syria Relief and Development (SRD)

Turkish Embassy – Washington DC

Turkish Red Crescent

UNICEF-Turkey/Syria Earthquake

Doc Nix honored by Mason Athletics

Interim Athletic Director Nena Rogers (from left), Green Machine Ensembles Director Michael "Doc Nix" Nickens, and Linda West Nickens, his mother. Photo by Joshua Cruse/Green Machine Ensembles

Mason Athletics recognized Green Machine Ensembles director and associate professor of music Michael Nickens, “Doc Nix,” during the men’s basketball game vs. Massachusetts on Wednesday at EagleBank Arena.

As part of Black and African Heritage Month, the game featured the National Black Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” sung by Bobby Lacy II, as well as performances by Doc Nix, the Green Machine’s Emerald Desire, a video presentation, and halftime acknowledgment of Doc Nix by Interim Athletic Director Nena Rogers.

Homecoming Registration Open

Homecoming Men's Basketball vs. VCU. Photo by: Sierra Guard/Creative Services/George Mason University

Homecoming 2023: Registration Now Open

Homecoming 2019. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

Mason celebrates its winter graduates

Graduates attend the Patriot Procession at EagleBank Arena. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/ George Mason University

Mason among the six Virginia universities awarded Mental Health Workforce Pilot grants

Dr. Rachel Wernicke Assistant Vice President & Chief Mental Health Officer

George Mason University’s First-Gen+ Center Receives Research Grant From The American Talent Initiative

Fairfax. VA— November 16, 2022 – George Mason’s First Gen+ Center, a department within the division of University Life, has recently received a grant from The American Talent Initiative (ATI) for research regarding the effectiveness of resources provided to first-generation college students through a summer bridge program. The grant application was a result of a collaboration with the First-Gen+ Center’s Director, Dr. Amber Holton-Thomas and Dr. Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron, Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies in the School of Integrative Studies, the current University Life Faculty Fellow in the First-Gen+ Center.

History of the ATI

The American Talent Initiative is a collaboration between Ithaka S+R, the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, and a collection of 341 universities. This organization aims to assist high-achieving students from low and moderate-income backgrounds in achieving a college education. The organization’s current goal is to help 50,000 high-achieving, lower-income college students graduate from associated universities by 2025.

About the First Gen+ Center and the Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP)

The First-Gen+ Center was announced as a new department within University Life in June 2021. Its mission is to support students who are historically underrepresented in higher education and their allies while specifically centering college students who identify as first-generation, who are undocumented, have refugee status, and those who have families with limited income.

The Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) is a program is one of many initiatives in the office but has a longstanding recruitment and retention history at Mason. STEP began in 1990 and continues to aid and retain first-generation college students through providing peer mentorship, workshops, and community building. The program also has a multi-year focus, meaning that students complete a 6-week summer program prior to their first fall semester and continue to receive support and mentorship through graduation and beyond. Lex Lewis-Semien, Assistant Director in the First-Gen+ Center coordinates the summer and multi-year curriculum and programmatic elements.

Details of the Study

This study explores the intersection of first-generation college student (FGCS) identity and summer bridge program experiences with the aim of creating scholarly and practical deliverables that support best practices in summer bridge programming. The mixed methods study will examine trends and Mason STEP Scholar experiences from 2019 to present and will also include the contributions of Mason STEP alumni and faculty/staff partners who have supported the STEP program. This collaborative project is a wonderful example of an university life-faculty partnership in service to first-generation college student support.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Holton-Thomas ([email protected]) or Dr. Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron ([email protected])

Meet the Mason Nation: Ric Chollar

Ric R. Chollar’s involvement with Mason helps give shape to the university’s story of LGBTQ advocacy. Photo by: Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications/George Mason University

Ric Chollar’s relationship with Mason began in 1987 when he started teaching in the Psychology Department. He later served as a facilitator for an LGBTQ+ counseling group at Mason, a consultant on what grew into the Safe Zone+ Program, and until 2017, he was a staff member in the LGBTQ+ Resources Center. Chollar continues to teach as an adjunct.

In his work, Chollar aspires to achieve healing, compassion, justice, and liberation.

Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications