University Life

Dr. Jason Dodge Hired as Director for ADVANCE

Dr. Jason Dodge will join the Mason-Nova community as the new Director for ADVANCE on July 26. Dr. Dodge has worked in higher education for over 10 years serving in various leadership capacities that have included building and sustaining curricular and co-curricular programs, leading student services units, overseeing retention initiatives, and cultivating inter-institutional partnerships. Most recently, he served as Director of Student Success on the University of Central Florida (UCF)/Valencia College Downtown Campus. In this role he led a diverse team of student services units whose mission is to serve the needs of all students on a unique integrated campus in downtown Orlando. He also served as Director for Transfer & Transition Services at UCF where he led a department serving approximately 13,000 new transfer students who matriculate to UCF each year. Dr. Dodge graduated with his AA degree from Santa Fe Community College and transferred to the University of Florida where he earned his BA in English, MA in student personnel, and Ph.D. in higher education administration and policy.  

(from Provost’s Newsletter, 07-14-21)

High school graduates head to Mason with scholarships, thanks to Early Identification Program

Brenda Leverson, a first-generation college student born in Honduras, is attending George Mason University this fall on a full tuition scholarship through Mason’s Early Identification Program. A graduate of Annandale High School in Northern Virginia, Leverson will enroll in the Honors College and intends to study business administration and accounting.

“I am really happy and proud of myself for working this hard and achieving my goals,” said Leverson, who has worked part-time since she was 15 to help support her family.

Read more about the Early Identification Program

Mason’s largest and most diverse class of graduates ready to tackle world’s challenges

George Mason University on Friday afternoon honored its largest and most diverse graduating class in history with its 54th Spring Commencement.

The virtual event, livestreamed on GMU-TV, featured recorded remarks from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and was a part of a week of that included well-attended, in-person graduation recognition events for Mason’s schools and colleges.

Read more about Commencement

Senior of the Year graduates as a leader at Mason and at home

Isabella Bah, who graduates this month with a degree in accounting and a minor in entrepreneurship, is described as a motivated and determined leader by her mentors at George Mason University.

Bah “is special because she embodies resilience and perseverance,” said Rhina Alvarado, associate director of Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP), in which Bah, a first-generation student, participated beginning in the eighth grade.

Read more about the Senior of the Year

MSSC Expands Virtual Services

On April 25, thMason Student Services Center (MSSC) expanded its virtual services with a new resource to help students get answers to their questions 24/7. The Mason Student Services Center Knowledge Community is a new tool powered by a knowledgebase of more than 600 articles providing answers to a huge variety of FAQs. Students can search by keywords or topic to quickly find the answers they need related to services from all MSSC partner offices: 
  • Admissions 
  • Financial Aid 
  • Student Accounts 
  • Registrar 
  • University Life 
  • General Student Service 
The MSSC, located in the lower-level of SUB I on the Fairfax Campus, is Mason’s one-stop for many student service requests. Andrew Bunting, Executive Director of Enrollment Services, notes: “MSSC will continue to offer in-person service by appointment, as well as virtual service through our website request forms. This new resource offers another way to serve our students through self-service, which saves time and gets them to resolution faster.” Email questions to Kim Shumadine, Director of MSSC.

Aysha Puhl is May Employee of the Month

Aysha Puhl, associate director for George Mason University’s residential student education and engagement, can’t wait to have more students back on campus.

“I miss them so much,” she said.

Puhl, who is May Employee of the Month, works diligently to ensure students have meaningful experiences at Mason. Her coworkers also praise her drive and leadership skills.

Read more about Aysha Puhl

Taking a look at student life on Mason’s campuses

University Life is highlighting Mason’s campuses this week with its All Around The Mason Nation feature. Today’s featured campus is SciTech.  Look “All Around the Mason Nation” for examples of contributions and achievements that support University Life’s vision: Every Student Succeeds. Learn more about “All Around the Mason Nation”. Photo by Creative Services

Roughly 4,000 Mason students expected to receive COVID-19 vaccinations this week

Julie Zobel called Wednesday’s initial COVID-19 vaccination clinic at EagleBank Arena for George Mason University students the pinnacle of her team’s efforts in combating the spread of the virus.

Working in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health and regional public health agencies, Mason took a major step toward resuming a normal campus life by starting the inoculation of roughly 4,000 Mason students, all of whom will receive their first of two Moderna shots during scheduled clinics on April 21 and April 23.

Read more about COVID-19 vaccinations for students

Student COVID-19 vaccinations begin this week

Mason is vaccinating students at EagleBank Arena starting Wednesday, April 21 and Friday, April 23. Learn what members of Mason Nation are looking forward to after they get vaccinated by watching this video.

What you need to know about getting vaccinated

Check out the FAQ about Mason’s vaccine clinics for answers to your questions about vaccines, eligibility and more.

5th Annual Giving Day Demonstrates that “Together, We Are Mason”

George Mason University held its 5th annual Giving Day on Thursday, April 8. Giving Day is the one-day virtual rally that invites all Mason supporters—alumni, friends, volunteers, faculty, staff, and students—to come together to make a difference for their university.

United by the theme, “Together, we are Mason,” more than 2,300 donors—including more than 400 faculty and staff members—contributed a record total surpassing $544,000 towards dozens of different causes. 

Read more about Giving Day