Student Success Blog

Tag: GMU

New Spring 2023 Course Offerings

New Spring 2023 Course Offerings Image

Are you looking for one or two more credits for this upcoming semester? Learn more about the following Spring 2023 courses below to see if one of them could be right for you!

  • Adult Learner Transition (BIS 301)
  • College to Career for International Students (UNIV 420-DL6)
  • Building Resilience in Spring 2023 (UNIV 170/370)
  • Mental Health First Aid (UNIV 372)

Adult Learner Transition (BIS 301) is a 3-credit course for all 1st semester adult students at Mason. Designed to directly address the issues that lead to contemporary students stopping or dropping out, the course is student-centered and can positively effect retention and graduation rates for this population. BIS 301 is in its 9th semester, with over 200 students successfully completing the class. Catalog Link to BIS 301

Online and asynchronous, it is a perfect fit for adult transfer students who are parents, military veterans, working part or full-time. (One section is in an 8-week format and starts February 13th ending April 9th. ) No pre-requisites, a scaffolded approach that allows students to acclimate and “gear-up” for the demands of upper-level coursework at Mason. 

BIS 301: Adult Learner Transition Flyer
UNIV 420-DL6: College to Career for International Students Flyer

College to Career for International Students (UNIV 420-DL6) is a new course offering this spring that aids students in developing job search strategies for seeking work in the United States and conducting a multinational job search. This online, zero or one-credit option makes it even easier to build career development into your schedule!

Building Resilience in Spring 2023 (UNIV 170/370) is being held for the second time this spring for students who want to explore resilience and earn a digital credential in resilience. Space remains available at both levels, and the course meets synchronously online for the first half of the semester. Visit wellbeing.gmu.edu for more information.

UNIV 170/370: Building Resilience in Spring 2023 Flyer
UNIV 372: Mental Health First Aid Flyer

Mental Health First Aid (UNIV 372) is always a popular class. The online section is fully enrolled, but there are a few seats left in the face-to-face section on the Fairfax Campus for the first half of the semester.

The First-Gen+ Center is Hiring!

The First-Gen+ Center is Hiring

Want to support first-gen and/or undocumented students? The First-Gen+ Center is hiring!


The First-Gen+ Center is looking for enthusiastic students to become student peer mentors and UndocuAlly Trainers. These positions will begin during the Spring 2023 semester and will continue through the 2023-2024 Academic Year. Students selected will be REQUIRED to enroll in a UNIV 300-level course during the Spring 2023 semester (Thursdays 1:30 – 2:45PM). Applications close on January 8th, 2023. Please email [email protected] with any questions.

FIRST-GEN+ CENTER MENTORS: 

  • FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT PEER MENTORS: The First-Generation (“First-Gen”) Peer Mentoring program is a program to support first gen student success at George Mason University. First-Gen Peer Mentors will provide support while serving as a positive role model for these students. 
  • STEP MENTORS: The Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) is an initiative of the First-Gen+ Center created to enhance the recruitment, engagement and retention of first-generation college students accepted to George Mason University. STEP mentors play an integral role in helping incoming STEP students transition and build community at Mason.

UNDOCUALLY TRAINERS:

  • The UndocuAlly Training team includes the ongoing development of an established training curriculum to advance awareness across and beyond campus about undocumented communities (experiences, policy, language, support). Each trainer brings their own skills and experiences, but the training team works together to deliver educational content and facilitate engaging activities for faculty, staff, students, and off-campus partners to advance support for the undocumented student community.

CEHD Scholarship Applications Now Open

CEHD Scholarship Applications Now Open

CEHD scholarship applications for the Spring 2023 semester are now open! Please view the CEHD Scholarships and Awards webpage for information on eligibility requirements and how to apply. Scholarship applications that are currently open have “Apply now!” noted after their name on the site. The deadline to apply for all scholarships open this cycle is Monday, November 28, 2022 at 5:00 pm.

Read more about the criteria for current open scholarships below:

Annandale Woman’s Club Endowed Scholarship

  • Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for this scholarship:
    • Submit a completed online application by the deadline.
    • Attempting to complete the final year of a degree or licensure program in Education.
    • Enrolled full-time or part-time in the College of Education and Human Development.
    • Be a US Citizen or permanent resident.
    • Be a resident of Northern Virginia for at least one year prior to receiving the scholarship.
    • Have a strong record of academic merit (3.0 GPA or higher).
    • Write an essay on a topic specified by the application.

Dr. Marjory F. Brown-Azarowicz Scholarship

  • Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for this scholarship:
    • Submit a completed online application by the deadline.
    • Be enrolled in the College of Education and Human Development pursuing a program of study leading to initial teaching licensure.
    • Demonstrate a commitment to the teaching profession and the field of education.
    • Exhibit a strong record of academic merit (undergraduate – 3.0 GPA or higher; graduate – 3.5 GPA or higher).
    • Have a FAFSA application on file with the Office of Financial Aid.
    • Write an essay on a topic specified by the application (maximum 300 words).

The Bernard and Marianne Harless Scholarship Fund

  • Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for this scholarship:
    • Submit a completed online application by the deadline.
    • Be a full-time graduate or undergraduate student currently enrolled in CEHD’s Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (B/AM) program.
    • Have a strong record of academic merit (minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate students / 3.5 GPA for graduate students).
    • Be enrolled in a teaching program toward K-12 licensure.
    • Have a FAFSA application on file with the Office of Financial Aid.
    • Write an essay on a topic specified by the application.

The Phyllis Cofield Pajardo Scholarship Fund

  • Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for this scholarship:
    • Submit a completed online application by the deadline.
    • Be enrolled in a Master’s degree program in Educational Leadership or in a Master’s in Education degree program with an Educational Leadership concentration.
    • Be enrolled full-time or part-time in the College of Education and Human Development.
    • Have a strong record of academic merit (3.0 GPA or higher).
    • Have a FAFSA application on file with the Office of Financial Aid.
    • Write an essay on a topic specified by the application (maximum 300 words).

Kyle Wilson Memorial Scholarship

  • Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for this scholarship:
    • Submit a completed online application by the deadline.
    • Be currently enrolled in the College of Education and Human Development Athletic Training program.
    • Be admitted to the professional phase of the Athletic Training program.
    • Have at least a 3.0 overall GPA.
    • Write an essay on a topic specified by the application (maximum 300 words).
    • Upload the most recent copy of your resume (via the application). Work experience is not required, but employment history, activities/organizations, awards/honors, etc., that may be relevant to your application is.

The Winant Endowed Scholarship

  • Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for this scholarship:
    • Submit a completed online application by the deadline
    • Be enrolled in a graduate degree program in the College of Education and Human Development.
    • Exhibit a strong record of academic merit (3.5 GPA or higher).
    • Have a FAFSA application on file with the Office of Financial Aid demonstrating financial need.
    • Write an essay on a topic specified by the application.

Join The Honors College: Upcoming Info Sessions 10/20 & 10/24

Honors College Info Sessions

The Honors College is now accepting applications from current Mason students who are exceptionally motivated and enthusiastic about learning. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who are looking for an environment that will challenge and stretch their abilities while providing support and community. Currently enrolled students can apply to join the Honors College in their second or third year and the application can be found on this webpage. 

Interested students are encouraged to join one of the two upcoming information sessions on Thursday, October 20th or Monday, October 24th. Detailed information about the sessions can be found on the Honors College website, Mason360, and on the attached flyer. Students are also more than welcome to email [email protected] with any questions. 

General eligibility criteria to apply for the Honors College are as follows:

  • Minimum of 24 credit hours completed at Mason (by the end of the semester they are applying)    
  • Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA  
Honors College Information Session Flyer

New Scholarship Opportunity for Aspiring Teachers

The Rachel Sleichter Scholarship

The Rachel Sleichter Scholarship for Teaching Excellence was established in 2022. Rachel graduated in the spring of 2022 with her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Elementary Education from the College of Education and Human Development. This scholarship honors Rachel’s dedication and persistence, and supports aspiring teachers. This scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate or a graduate student who is pursuing a degree in teaching, specific to K-12 education.

Applicant requirements:

• Undergraduate or graduate student (full or part-time)

• GPA of 2.75 or higher

• Must be pursuing a degree in teaching, specific to K-12 Education

• Demonstrated financial need and academic merit

Important Dates and Other Information:

  • Application Window: September 1st, 2022 – January 1, 2023
  • Awards Notifications: all finalists will receive a confirmation of their award selection or denial by Friday, March 10.
  • Scholarship Dinner: all selected scholarship recipients will be invited to the annual Scholarship Dinner. Additional RSVP is required upon receipt of invitation.
  • Thank You Letters: all selected scholarship recipients will be required to write a formal letter of appreciation to the donor(s) responsible for endowing the scholarship that they have received.
  • Photo/Press Release: all selected scholarship recipients will take a group photo and be featured in various Mason news publications, such as, The Scroll, Mason Spirit magazine, Mason website, social media accounts, etc.

Apply Here.

For inquiries, please email Jessica Scibetti.