Honors College

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.

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.

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.

Honors College students on Mason’s softball team won the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship for the first time. These students excel in various areas and show exceptional leadership skills on and off the field.

The Honors College expresses its gratitude to Ms. Catherine Riley for her service on the Honors College Dean’s Advisory Board and for helping shape our university into what it is today. As she departs from the board, we thank her for her time and commitment and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.