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When Alissa Karton began working at Mason in 1996, the university looked like a very different place, with fewer residence halls, fewer students, and a reputation for being a commuter school. In her various roles with University Life, Karton has had an insider’s view to seeing Mason transform into what she calls “a university that is basically as big as a small town.”

Read more about Alissa’s work with Mason students.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Jasmeen Linares, a freshman computer science major and a graduate of Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP), found a synergy between coding and art.

Read about her journey.

Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications.

A gift of $50,000 in each of the next three years will help Mason better support alumni of the Early Identification Program who identify as Latinx and choose to attend the university.

Read more about the gift.

Mason Madness kicks off the men’s and women’s basketball season at EagleBank Arena next Friday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. The event introduces the basketball teams and features performances by the Green Machine and other student organizations.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Mason’s ADVANCE Program and the university’s partnership with Northern Virginia Community College to promote access to a four-year education for more Virginians is the subject of PBS NewsHour story and part of its series “Rethinking College.”

Watch the video.

The popular one-stop shop concept expands to Mason Square (formerly Arlington Campus) with afternoon and evening hours, as well as virtual assistance, to answer student questions.

Learn more.

Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Campus Pride, the preeminent resource for LGBTQ+ leadership development, diversity inclusion and advocacy within higher education, announced on August 24th the annual Best of the Best Colleges and Universities for LGBTQ+ students in the United States, naming George Mason University to this year’s list of campuses creating a safe, welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff alike.

“Campus Pride created the Best of the Best List to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of these colleges and universities, creating safer, more welcoming campuses for LGBTQ+ people,” said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride Executive Director. “Students, prospective students, and their families, along with faculty and staff members, deserve to know whether they will be safe on campus, so they can make the best choices for their own academic success – and by creating inclusive, safe environments these colleges are taking responsibility for all students.”

The announcement from Campus Pride features 40 four-year campuses from across the country. These campuses have achieved 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index (CPI), the definitive national benchmarking tool measuring LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs, and practices. To earn a ranking of 5 out of 5 stars, campuses receive a percentage score from 90 to 100 based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs, and practices. The methodology to determine this year’s Best of the Best List was based on an overall score of 93 percent or higher.

“We are seeing more and more colleges earn 5 stars because campuses are doing more to support their trans students,” states Dr. Genny Beemyn, the coordinator of Campus Pride’s Trans Policy Clearinghouse. “While all colleges can and should do more to be trans-inclusive, many institutions are taking important steps forward.”

“The work Campus Pride does every day to foster safer, more welcoming campuses across the country is creating positive change for students, staff, and faculty, as this year’s Best of the Best list reflects that with 40 colleges represented, up from 30 last year,” said Tom Elliott, Campus Pride Board Chair. “At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and other civil rights are under assault in states across the country, including Texas and Florida, it is as important as ever to recognize the campuses in these states working to create spaces where the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders can learn and flourish.”

See the full Best of the Best Colleges & Universities list.