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Honors College Connects hosted its third Nonprofit Hackathon on October 21, fostering teamwork and creativity among students to solve community challenges. The event, in partnership with local nonprofits, promoted a human-centered design approach, with students working in groups to develop solutions. The day also included mentor participation, brainstorming, and networking opportunities, emphasizing collaboration and community engagement.

Tahmina Rahman from George Mason University’s Honors College hosted an information session for students interested in joining. The Honors College offers benefits like waiving certain Mason Core requirements for a more tailored academic experience. Students need to evaluate how many Honors courses they can be exempt from based on their Mason Core courses. The college emphasizes community, support, and offers opportunities for networking, internships, and connecting with alumni. Students receive dual advising from the Honors College and their major, and there’s a dedicated student success team. Admission requires a 3.5 GPA and completion of 24 credits at the university. Scholarships are available for Honors College students. The college provides an opportunity for academic excellence and comprehensive support.

HNRS 360 The Silkroad and the Railroad is the kind of course that could only happen at Mason. With artists-in-residence Silkroad Ensemble as partners, 25 Honors College students from 17 majors are exploring cultures and histories, music and narratives, impacts and legacies of the Transcontinental Railroad.

On Friday, September 22, the Honors College organized a refreshing outdoor yoga session at Finley Quad, led by alumna Jamie Argento Rodriguez. Open to all, attendees enjoyed a peaceful yoga practice under Rodriguez’s guidance, fully embracing its benefits. Participants arrived carrying yoga mats or towels and moved in harmony, with each pose reflecting the serenity of the surroundings. Laughter resonated throughout the session, creating a tight-knit sense of community among everyone present. The event was a relaxing and communal experience for all.

David Prester’s previous experience with George Mason University's Engineers for International Development lined up perfectly for his work at CDM Smith, where he spent time outside analyzing and monitoring soil, traveling to excavation sites, and overseeing subsurface drilling.

The College of Engineering and Computing and the Honors College hosted an event called “Doughnuts and Discussions” to discuss excellence in STEM. The value of peer support was emphasized, with mentors guiding students through academic challenges. The event explored effective teaching and academic excellence, with participants sharing experiences and strategies. Faculty shared their perspectives on continuous learning, highlighting moments of deeper understanding through student interactions. The event served as a platform for sharing resources and experiences, equipping attendees with tools to thrive in STEM fields.

Ashley Marshall-Lanier has joined George Mason University’s Honors College as an academic advisor. With 15 years of experience in higher education, she values progress over perfection. She began her career teaching language arts and English literature, and noticed the lack of support for students transitioning from high school to college. She advocates for student success and self-care skills. Marshall-Lanier takes a holistic view of student challenges and opportunities, and understands that students often balance education with other life responsibilities. She emphasizes the importance of support networks and individual pacing in achieving goals.

Striving towards a more collaborative environment, members of several Honors College student organizations came together for the Student Leader Retreat on Saturday, September 9, 2023. The first of the school year, this semi-annual event brings together students of diverse backgrounds, majors and levels of involvement within the Honors College.

Honors College students unwind with games at HUB Corner Pocket, fostering a vibrant community.

Mason’s Honors College Resource Fair on Sep 5, 2023, aimed to increase students’ access to resources. Freshmen and upperclassmen gained insight about the ways the Honors College supports their success. Organizations engaged with students to let them know how they can get involved.

Mason's Honors College held its annual ice cream social, welcoming new students with treats, games, and introductions.

Mason’s Honors College and Early Identification Program (EIP) promote access to inclusive excellence. EIP serves first-gen high school students and offers programming such as the College Application Coaches program. EIP alumni entering the Honors College are awarded full tuition scholarships. The partnership strengthens EIP’s mission of educating the whole student and advances the Honors College’s commitment to increasing access to transformative academic, civic, and professional experiences.