Student Success Blog

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 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

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 websiteMason360, 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

CEHD Writer’s Retreat

The CEHD Writer’s Retreat is back and in-person! Join fellow CEHD graduate students in Merten Hall on Saturday, November 12 for a day dedicated to working towards your writing goals with support, free food, and plenty of coffee! Registration is now open, and is required to attend this event. Register early to secure your spot!

New Scholarship Opportunity for Aspiring Teachers

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.