FIRST WORDS

THE ULTIMATE ‘POINT B’ UNIVERSITY

I’d like to introduce you to a few Mason alumni—and future alumni:

One is a 71-year-old student who noted in an email to me that both he and his wife attend the university.

At an event, I met a woman who earned four degrees at Mason.

Another successful alum explained to me how he was able to craft his master’s degree program with prior course work and professional experience, offsetting the fact that he did not have an undergraduate degree.

I love meeting our alumni and hearing how they connected with Mason where, and when, they needed. Mason’s ability to meet students where they are is nothing short of inspiring. This university is a success engine. We don’t care where your Point A is, we will get you to your Point B—whether you enroll out of high school, transfer from a community college, join us from the workforce or military, return to earn an advanced degree or credential, or, like the first example above, remain in dogged pursuit of your academic goals in your eighth decade of life.

Mason will always be in the degree-granting and knowledge-producing business, but ultimately, we’re in the success business. And we know that success can take many forms. Soon, new endeavors will serve students and citizens from across the commonwealth.

That is why I am introducing the Mason Virginia Promise, which will extend our successful ADVANCE partnership with Northern Virginia Community College to other community colleges around the state, providing sufficient pathways to an education so that any Virginian whose Point B involves a university degree can get it with Mason’s help.

The Mason Virginia Promise also extends to those Virginians who want to start a business but are not interested in a degree. Mason manages the 27 Virginia Small Business Development Centers around the state, where budding entrepreneurs can seek guidance.

In addition, the Mason Talent Exchange will help members of the workforce gain the new skills they need to pursue better opportunities for themselves and their families in the post-pandemic economy.

The Mason Virginia Promise is a natural extension of who we are as a university. Yes, we have the fastest-growing research portfolio among U.S. public universities. Yes, Times Higher Education deems Mason the top U.S. university under 50 years old. Yes, we’re one of the most diverse universities in the country, with no marked graduation rate disparity based on race, ethnicity, or wealth status.

And, yes, Mason is the only Virginia university positioned to be a lifeline of opportunity for all Virginians. No other has our flexibility, transfer pathway infrastructure, or economic reach throughout the commonwealth.

The success engine revs on.

Gregory Washington President, George Mason University A MAGAZINE FOR THE GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

spirit.gmu.edu

MANAGING EDITOR Colleen Kearney Rich, MFA ’95

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Melanie Balog Priyanka Champaneri, BA ’05, MFA ’10 Rob Riordan, MPA ’19

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT D’Zaunta C. Jones

CONTRIBUTORS Mariam Aburdeineh, BA ’13 Christopher Bobo Kristen Greiner, MFA ‘20 Jeanene Harris John Hollis Rebecca Kobayashi Katie Maney Anna Stolley Persky Corey Jenkins Schaut, MPA ’07 Michelle Thompson Preston Williams

DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION Claire Brandt Joan Dall'Acqua Marcia Staimer

PHOTOGRAPHY AND MULTIMEDIA Ron Aira Shelby Burgess Melissa Cannarozzi Evan Cantwell, MA ’10 Sierra Guard

PRODUCTION MANAGER Brian Edlinski

EDITORIAL BOARD Paul G. Allvin Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing Trishana E. Bowden Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations

Kathleen Diemer Associate Vice President for Advancement Relations

Robin Rose Parker Interim Assistant Vice President for Communications

Jennifer W. Robinson, JM ‘02 Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations

Mason Spirit is published three times a year by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations and the Office of Communications and Marketing. George Mason University is an equal opportunity employer that encourages diversity.