Prince William County

9/11 Day of Service was a day of reflection and community service—for all ages

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 14:12:01 +0000

9/11 Day of Service was a day of reflection and community service—for all ages Lauren Reuscher Thu, 09/19/2024 - 10:12

��ӽ紫ý students, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 11, for the 12^th annual Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service. Since its inception, the day of service has been an opportunity to reflect on the value of individual contributions toward social change and the ways in which individuals can support their community through service projects.

The Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service took place across locations on the Fairfax Campus, with an opening ceremony and luncheon in the Johnson Center. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Over 200 ��ӽ紫ý students, faculty, staff, and alumni joined the day’s activities. Service activities occurred across campus, a service fair provided a chance to learn about year-round volunteer opportunities, and a luncheon honored first responders, active members of the military, veterans, and volunteers.

The event was hosted by University Life, and the planning team included campus partners from departments and offices around the university.

��ӽ紫ý ROTC's Patriot Battalion Color Guard at the 9/11 Day of Service ceremony. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Service activities included a clothing, diaper, and wipe drive for Women Giving Back; a book drive to benefit the City of Fairfax Regional Library; assembling blankets and chew toys for the Prince William Animal Shelter; creating cards and flower pots for a local assisted living community, working in the campus Greenhouse and Gardens, and more. In partnership with Van Metre Companies, volunteers put together almost 300 snack bags to support children at Pattie Elementary School in Prince William County.

Volunteers work in the Innovation Food Forest for the 9/11 Day of Service. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Fourth and fifth grade students from Pattie Elementary also participated in the event. Members of the school’s P.O.P. Club (Paws of Positivity), a before and after school service club, visited ��ӽ紫ý for the day. Thanks to a grant from the Harvey S. Lowe, Jr. and Susan Hitchcock-Lowe Foundation, the university provided transportation, lunch, and project supplies for the students.

Students from Pattie Elementary School shared remarks on stage. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

During the opening ceremony and luncheon, students from Pattie Elementary took the stage to share what 9/11 means to them—children who, like many of today’s college students, were not born before September 11, 2001.

Students from the Pattie Elementary School P.O.P. Club joined the service activities. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“In the P.O.P. club, we give back to our community through acts of service. Service is a way to show kindness and make our communities better. Whether it’s helping a friend, cleaning up trash, or doing something nice for someone, every little act of service counts. When we serve others, we spread positivity and help make the world a better place. So today, let’s think about how we can help out and make a positive change, just like so many people did on that day. Together, we can make a big difference.” –Trey, Pattie Elementary School student

Watch a video from Prince William County Public Schools to learn more about the P.O.P. Club and their visit to ��ӽ紫ý.

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Prince William County

Volunteerism

Mason ROTC

Community Service

Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:31:16 +0000

Empowering girls in STEAM at the Potomac Science Center Lauren Reuscher Wed, 03/06/2024 - 12:31

��ӽ紫ý’s Potomac Science Center hosted the Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference on Thursday, February 29. This annual event welcomed 60 middle school students for a day of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The event promotes STEAM careers for young women through engaging discussions and hands-on activities.

The Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference was cosponsored by Mason, Schneider Electric, Prince William County Public Schools, The NEED Project, Dominion Energy, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, and ACI Solutions. Pictured: Abigail Weigel, Schneider Electric. Photo by PEREC

Students learned about energy science and engineered energy efficient structures. All the student attendees came from five Title I schools in Prince William County.

The National Energy Education Development Project (The NEED Project) led two energy workshops. Participants built and tested the efficiency of a mocked-up “thermally insulated house” and generated and measured electricity conducted through various objects.

Middle school students engaged in hands-on STEAM activities along the waterfront of the Potomac Science Center. Photo by PEREC

A panel of women in STEAM shared stories about how they came into their careers and responded to student questions. The panel included Cindy Smith, professor of environmental science and policy and director K-12 partnerships for the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC).

Mason Professor Cindy Smith (second from left) with Prince William County Schools staff Melinda Landry, Jeanne Jabara BS Biology ‘80, MS Environmental Biology ‘83, and Jess Doiron. Photo by PEREC

The Girls in STEAM Empowerment Conference is cosponsored by Mason, Schneider Electric, Prince William County Public Schools, The NEED Project, Dominion Energy, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners, and ACI Solutions.

Conference space at the Potomac Science Center. Photo by PEREC

Visit the Potomac Science Center

More about Women's History Month

Topics

STEAM

Women's History Month

Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP)

Prince William County

K-12 Partnerships

Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center

Picture This

Campus News

Potomac Science Center

Mason, Prince William County Public Schools expand EIP collaboration

Colleen Rich — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 19:48:44 +0000

Mason, Prince William County Public Schools expand EIP collaboration Colleen Rich Wed, 01/31/2024 - 14:48

A shared approach to improving individual student outcomes and leaving lasting positive impacts on families, communities and society at large is what initially brought ��ӽ紫ý and Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) together for the Early Identification Program.

Denise Huebner, associate superintendent for Prince William County Schools; Khaseem Davis, executive director of Mason's Early Identification Program; Anaid Shaver, supervisor of college and career services for Prince William County Schools; and Charlena McCuin, the coordinator of community and business engagement/SPARK for PWCS. Photo by Fathima Samsudeen

Additional funding secured by SPARK, the education foundation for PWCS, will expand that life-changing collaboration and fully support an additional 20 EIP students from Prince William County starting this spring, said EIP Executive Director Khaseem Davis.

“As a public school system, they really value EIP,” he said.

Prince William County Public School representatives were on hand along with Mason officials at Merten Hall on the Fairfax Campus on Jan. 27 to welcome the newest members of the EIP community.

EIP, which has produced more than 2,000 graduates since its inception in 1987, provides access to educational resources for middle and high school students seeking to become the first in their families to attend college.

Services include free SAT prep, afterschool tutoring, mentoring, help with college essays, exposure to various careers, and a three-week summer academy.

Current Mason students and EIP alums Kalkidan Negussie and Ian Solano speak to the new members of the EIP community of their experiences in the program. Photo by Fathima Samsudeen

A $55,000 grant from the Tides Foundation to SPARK funded additional PWCS student participants. The Tides Foundation is a San Francisco-based nonprofit and philanthropic organization.

As a result, there are now 153 EIP students in the PWCS system, and just under 800 in the overall program, with plans to expand further.

Carol Flenard, the deputy superintendent for PWCS, lauded EIP for being a “beacon of hope and opportunity” that empowers first-generation students to dream of higher education and to achieve it with distinction.

“This program is more than an academic pathway,” Flenard said. “It is a commitment to closing the opportunity gaps that often challenge motivated, talented first-generation students.”

“They really gave me so much support, and they didn’t give up on me,” said Ian Solano, an EIP alum who is now a freshman international security and law major in the Schar School of Policy and Government at Mason. “I learned that I have more potential than I ever realized. I don’t know where I’d be without EIP.”

EIP receives support from Mason’s corporate alliances and individual donors, as well as its collaboration with seven local public school systems in Prince William County, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Manassas City, Manassas Park City, Arlington, and the City of Alexandria.

The program’s year-round academic enrichment, personal and social development, civic engagement, and leadership training opportunities prepare students for higher education and more productive lives afterward.

“A lot of people don’t get to work in a job where they get to see the direct impact they can make,” Davis said. “Being part of EIP, you see that impact, and the impact is profound.”

Of the 127 EIP students who graduated from high school last spring, 125 went on to college. Of those, 93 were admitted to Mason, with 37 of those enrolling. Most of those who did enroll received partial or full academic scholarships.

There are currently more than 200 EIP alums attending Mason.

In This Story

Khaseem Davis, Ph.D

Topics

Campus News

Early Identification Program (EIP)

K-12 Partnerships

philanthropy

Prince William County

SciTech’s ‘social butterfly’ retires after 30 years of service

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:11:34 +0000

SciTech’s ‘social butterfly’ retires after 30 years of service Lauren Reuscher Wed, 04/05/2023 - 13:11

Molly Grove, SciTech Campus. Photo by Ron Aira

After more than 30 years of service, Molly Grove, the associate director for Community and Local Government Relations at ��ӽ紫ý’s Science and Technology Campus, is retiring.

Grove’s Mason journey began in 1992 as a part-time coordinator, planning the university’s Commencement and convocation ceremonies. Over the years, she has earned a reputation as a “social butterfly” and the “face of the SciTech Campus.”

“Molly has been the SciTech Campus’ lifeline to the community, working with business, government, and education leaders since its beginning. She’s left an indelible fingerprint on SciTech,” said Ron Carmichael, the campus’ director of administration and operations.

In addition to relationship-building, Grove leads event planning at SciTech. She was especially busy in the past year, coordinating the triple groundbreaking of the Life Sciences and Engineering Building, Innovation Town Center, and University Village in honor of Mason’s 50th anniversary.

“There have been so many wonderful memories during my time at Mason,” Grove said. “I will always look back at representing the university in the community with great affection.”

Grove served on many business and civic boards on Mason’s behalf. She was involved in the launch of Leadership Prince William, a nonprofit organization focused on training individuals and organizations to enrich the community through collaborative leadership. In 2008, she was a member of Leadership Prince William’s introductory class. She went on to serve as co-chair of its Board of Regents.

Mason’s rewarding relationship with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce is due largely to Grove’s efforts. As chair of the Prince William–Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce, she co-managed the 2010 merger of that chamber with the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“The Prince William Chamber has been a great partner for Mason,” Grove said. “Many of our efforts at SciTech were supported by the chamber including Mason’s 50th Anniversary Celebration that was held last fall.”

One of Grove’s chief accomplishments was the conceptualizing of a statue to honor former senator Charles J. Colgan for his 40 years of service in the Virginia Senate. Colgan was a staunch supporter of higher education and played a pivotal role in securing land for the establishment of the SciTech Campus.

The statue’s unveiling in 2016 coincided with Colgan’s 90th birthday. Seven former Virginia governors, two former lieutenant governors, and a congressman were among the distinguished guests in attendance at the dedication ceremony.

“Seeing the smile on the senator’s face when he stood next to his life-size statue at the installation was an unforgettable moment,” Grove said.

With retirement ahead, Grove plans to spend more time in her garden, crafting, and improving her golf game. She’s especially looking forward to doing some landscaping.

“I love getting on my John Deere to mow my three acres,” she said.

“Molly has provided me with advice and guidance every step of the way,” Carmichael said. “I wish her all the best in this new phase of her life. She will definitely be missed.”

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Retirement

SciTech Campus

Prince William County

Masonat50

Mason’s Science and Technology Campus is about to be transformed

Colleen Rich — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 19:01:07 +0000

Mason’s Science and Technology Campus is about to be transformed Colleen Rich Mon, 04/25/2022 - 15:01

In This Story

Gregory Washington

The groundbreaking for the new Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the much-anticipated Innovation Town Center and University Village at Innovation projects took place on Friday, April 22, on Mason's Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

��ӽ紫ý’s 50th anniversary celebration continued Friday, with the official unveiling of a project designed to transform its Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia.

The university broke ground on a new Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the much-anticipated Innovation Town Center and University Village at Innovation projects, which will allow the SciTech Campus to provide a full array of academic offerings and university life experiences for students and community members.

Officials from project partners Stanley Martin Homes and Castle Rock Partners LLC joined state, local and university officials among the roughly 200 guests on hand to usher in the new era.

The Life Sciences and Engineering Building, a 132,000-square-foot facility, will support students enrolled in STEM-H majors. Rendering by EYP Architecture & Engineering

“We come together not just to break ground on the Life Sciences and Engineering Building, the Innovation Town Center, and the University Village at Innovation,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “But we’ve actually come together to break ground on a true commitment, a shared vision that will empower and attract students and faculty, that will serve the nearby community, and spur economic development in this region. The success of Prince William County and ��ӽ紫ý are indeed intertwined.”

Other speakers included Jeanine Lawson, Brentsville district supervisor from the Prince William County Board of Supervisors; Tom Twomey, division president from Stanley Homes; Tim Kissler, principal at Castle Rock Partners; and Luke Torian, a state representative representing Virginia’s 52nd District in the House of Delegates. Trishana E. Bowden, Mason’s vice president for advancement and alumni relations, served as the program’s host.

The Life Sciences and Engineering Building, a 132,000-square-foot facility, will support students enrolled in STEM-H majors, such as but not limited to kinesiology, materials science, forensic science, bioengineering and mechanical engineering.

With a scheduled completion date of August 2024, the $75 million facility will include specialized instructional labs, classrooms, experiential learning collaboratories, and faculty and administrative offices to support growing student and faculty communities on the SciTech Campus.

“The scholarship and research that will take place in our Life Sciences and Engineering Building will deepen the academic footprint on this campus,” Washington said.

Ron Carmichael, the director of administration and operations for the SciTech Campus, called the additions significant.

President Gregory Washington addressed the roughly 200 guests on hand to usher in the new era. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“It will contribute greatly to the expanded student presence and programming on campus,” he said.

With the addition of the Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the simultaneous development of the Innovation Town Center, the SciTech Campus will provide a residential campus experience to students enrolling in relevant STEM-H programs beginning their freshman year and extending through their PhD work. The Stanley Martin portion of the Town Center will offer 1,100 townhomes for sale, while the Castle Rock portion of the Town Center will include potential student residence halls.

Retail stores will be available in the heart of the Town’s Center first floor, while the second floor will include residential, office and research space, Carmichael said.

“It’s going to have the amenities for students, faculty and staff that we’ve needed for the last 25 years,” Carmichael said.

University and local officials believe the increasingly vibrant SciTech Campus will serve as a magnet to attract new and existing businesses in Prince William County’s Innovation Park, advance the region’s innovation industries and drive associated economic growth.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in early May.

“It’s a really, really big deal for us,” Washington said. “The Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the private development planned for this campus will re-imagine and re-form this campus and this region. It is indeed a big deal.”