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Making space for well-being during finals

Katarina Benson — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:39:33 +0000

Making space for well-being during finals Katarina Benson Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:39

On May 7, with finals in full throttle, 91�� offered a space for students to slow down and reclaim rest as a form of restoration and renewal.

A student listens to Quiet Tech. Photo provided

The 2026 Heal Together event was hosted by the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community (OACC) in partnership with the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement, Contemporary Student Services, the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, and Community Engagement and Civic Learning.

A clinician of 15 years, Shakila Melchior, director of strategic initiatives, partnerships, and outreach for OACC, framed the event around what she learned from practice. “Stress lives in the body, and it is so important for us to take breaks, especially in high-stress times,” she said.

Activities were held across campus. In the newly opened Spiritual and Interfaith Center, students could participate in Quiet Tech—a silent disco headphones and virtual reality experience—alongside positive affirmation cards, sensory grounding, painting, an aromatherapy bar, and herbal tea blending workshops.

Students at the aromatherapy station. Photo provided

For junior Angie Mendizabal, the combination of journaling and Quiet Tech opened up something new for her. “When you write down exactly what you know is best for you or what’s holding you back or what you’re feeling now…just writing it on a sheet of paper really helps,” she said.

Through Counseling and Psychological Services, Mind Spa offered 30-minute appointments in a zero-gravity massage chair with aromatherapy.

Human Resources offered Rest to Recharge, an educational room built around seven types of rest: mental, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, creative, and sensory.

Play to Restore set up board games, LEGO building, lawn games, and free play at the Corner Pocket.

Students painting during the 2026 Heal Together event. Photo provided

For sophomore Maddi Steen, the intentional programming reflected her George Mason experience. “I think George Mason does a really good job of reminding us that we matter as individuals and that we’re not in this alone,” she said. “I’m thankful to go to an institution that prioritizes mental health and community.”

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Transfer Nation 2026 builds community for transfer and contemporary students

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:29:10 +0000

Transfer Nation 2026 builds community for transfer and contemporary students Katarina Benson Mon, 03/02/2026 - 13:29

On February 4, Transfer Nation 2026 welcomed transfer and contemporary students for an afternoon focused on connection and reflection. As part of 91��’s First-Year Connection programming, the event emphasized community-building and highlighted the academic and personal support systems available across campus.

George Mason's New Student and Family Programs office offers a mid-year Orientation in the fall for students joining the university in the spring semester. Students pictured are at Orientation in November 2023. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

First-Year Connection initiatives are designed to enhance engagement, strengthen academic success, and support personal growth for students new to George Mason. For transfer students who often have less time to acclimate than first-year students, the need for early connection is especially critical.

“This particular event is really a chance for transfer students to meet each other and learn that they are not alone in their experience here,” said Caroline Simpson, assistant director of New Student and Family Programs (NSFP). “They’re not the only ones going through different challenges or struggles. They have community.”

Simpson noted that the gathering also encouraged students to set goals early in the semester—an important step for transfers navigating a new academic environment on a compressed timeline.

Getting connected

Richard Tenia, who transferred from Northern Virginia Community College, entered George Mason in fall 2025 with plans to refine his academic focus in arts and visual technology. Adjusting to a larger campus proved challenging at first, he said, but support from his resident advisors (RAs) and attending Mason360 events helped him build connections quickly.

Zell Preston, a transfer student from Laurel Ridge Community College, highlighted the university’s diversity and campus involvement as central to her experience. She credited her success coach with helping her move from forensic science to criminology, and benefited from connecting with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). The breadth of support at George Mason, she said, made a significant difference in the transition.

Transfer Nation also showcased available support for working adults balancing professional and family responsibilities. Jennifer Rogel, who manages two full-time jobs while enrolled as a full-time student, credited transfer-focused programming for the ease of her transition.

After attending two transfer events in November, she gained clarity on course registration and access to follow-up resources. Receiving a free laptop through the Student Support and Advocacy Center also proved instrumental.

For Rogel, the experience underscored an important point: Resources only matter if students know how to access them. “I believe there are resources for everybody,” she said. “The thing is, are we taking advantage of them? Do we know those resources exist?”

Transfer Nation addressed that gap directly. By making support visible—and personal—the event helped ensure that services did not remain abstract listings on a website, but tools students felt confident using.

For students who arrive at George Mason mid-journey, connection is not incidental. Transfer Nation reflects a broader institutional commitment: that at George Mason, every student succeeds—including those who began somewhere else.

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Confidence meets opportunity at Fall 2025 Career Fair

Katarina Benson — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:56:29 +0000

Confidence meets opportunity at Fall 2025 Career Fair Katarina Benson Thu, 10/23/2025 - 16:56

Over the three days of this fall’s Career Fair, more than 5,000 91�� students filled Dewberry Hall in sharp professional attire and with polished résumés in hand—ready to take the next step toward their careers.

George Mason’s Career Fair, held each fall and spring semester, is the university’s largest on-campus recruiting event, connecting students with representatives from more than 100 companies and organizations. The event offers students opportunities to explore internships, part-time roles, and full-time positions across a range of industries.

Wilkerson and fellow staff members at the career fair. Photo by Emily Campos/University Life

“These are opportunities to get right in front of the employers,” said Phillip Wilkerson, employer engagement consultant at University Career Services (UCS). “I like to tell students this is not a place where you can automatically get a job or a magic ticket; it’s a great way to build relationships, get business cards, and stay in touch.”

While the fair is about connections, success begins long before students step into Dewberry Hall. University Career Services offers one-on-one advising to help students refine résumés, craft cover letters, and practice introductions before the career fair.

“Confidence comes with preparation,” Wilkerson said. “The more prepared you are, the more confident you are.”

A students converses with an employer. Photo by Emily Campos/University Life

Mary Claire Kraft, employer outreach manager for University Career Services, recommended that students research before the fair to be even more prepared. “Number one, check Handshake, George Mason’s job search web site,” she said. “When students meet an employer they’re interested in, they can then share one thing they already know about them.”

Each day of the fair is focused on a different area or industry. Day one was focused on science, technology, engineering and health; day two was a general day for all companies; and day three was mainly attended by business, government, education and nonprofit organizations.

Iman Chaudhry, a sophomore majoring in management information systems, approached the fair with an open mindset, something she credits with helping her make the most of the fair. “I think it’s important not to limit yourself, even if you have a specific major,” she said. “There are benefits to attending all days of the Career Fair.”

First-year student Lilliana Russell attended her first fair this fall eager to learn. The civil and infrastructure engineering major arrived early with a list of employers to meet and a curiosity about what her field has to offer. “I’m really just trying to scope out what the different companies in my field are and maybe score an internship,” she said.

Students meet with potential employers. Photo by Emily Campos/University Life

Russell added that her nerves faded once she began speaking with recruiters. “Once I got to know everyone and saw how excited they were to talk with students, I let go of any preconceived notions I had about the event,” she said.

University Career Services hosts a wide variety of career fairs throughout the year. Students can keep the momentum going a Clearance Ready event on October 28 at noon. Engineering Careers Week kicks off November 10. Learn more about these and other career opportunities.