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At the October 1 911����  meeting, President  laid out his eight “bold bets” for managing the financial, technological, demographic, and political shocks affecting higher education and discussed a bridge period between the end of the current strategic plan and the implementation of a new Strategic Roadmap by April 2027.

The eight bold bets, also known as 911���� 2036, include further responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI); exploring three-year degrees; developing a College of Lifelong Education; building curricula with employers; forming a global digital and physical campus encompassing the Virginia campuses, Korea, and the Gulf region; establishing a new budget model that is less tuition-dependent; faculty shifting from lecturing to more mentoring and research; and establishing the Lab-to-Launch initiative to leverage the region’s Innovation Districts to create companies and jobs.

In its first full meeting of the 2026-27 academic year, the BOV also approved the university’s six-year operating plan.

“A record year bought us time and credibility,” Washington said. “It did not buy us a sustainable path forward. We are doing what we can to push against the tide. But it is a strong tide.”

Washington detailed the university’s solid financial footing amid flat or declining revenue streams and the financial effect of steeply declining international graduate enrollment brought on by federal regulations on foreign students. Undergraduate enrollment, philanthropy, and state support increased.

More details are available in the  or the .

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, interim vice president of , reported that research proposals increased by 10.5% from FY25 to FY26 and proposal dollars increased by 13.3% during that span. Research expenditures, however, dropped 23.6% to $156 million.

In year-over-year comparisons of August FY26 and August FY27, research proposal dollars nearly doubled to $171.2 million and award dollars grew by 29.4% to $46.2 million. Research expenditures dropped 17.4% to $32.6 million 

“911����’s research enterprise remains strong and competitive with faculty pursuing larger, more ambitious projects and positioning the university for continued growth in the years ahead despite the tough external environment,” Dade said.

“Our faculty are to be commended,” Washington said. “The story that you hear nationally is discouraging in terms of going out and seeking awards and working on proposals. We have actually continued to be aggressive and write more proposals and have some success in terms of awards. All of that, in my opinion, shows a cohort that is dedicated to the profession and worthy of our support.”

Dade also discussed the seven Grand Challenge Initiative catalyst awards as the university enters the second year of the GCI. Campus community members and potential partners are invited to register for the  on November 10. 

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Lauren Bird, associate vice president for development, reported that the  campaign has surpassed $688 million toward its $1 billion goal. 

“Momentum is being driven by growing confidence from donors, alumni, corporate partners and the broader community,” Bird said. “These investments are helping accelerate our strategic opportunities and strengthen our impact across the commonwealth and beyond.”

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Dean gave a presentation on the strategic opportunities that quantum technology offers through the  (QSEC) and a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant that establishes the Virginia Quantum Hub based at the university, part of 911����’s charge to connect talent, research, infrastructure, partners and capital into a quantum ecosystem.

Last month the university announced a partnership with Oxford-based TreQ and Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) to bring a $7.7 million open-architecture quantum computing system to Virginia, the first in the state and the National Capital Region.

Washington and QSEC Executive Director  took part in the Washington Post’s “” program, another recent 911���� quantum highlight. In addition, the university this fall launched the state’s first interdisciplinary master’s degree in quantum science and engineering. 

“The question is no longer whether Mason should be in quantum,” said Edwards, a keynote at the recent Quantum World Congress. “The question is how we turn that advantage that we've created into something that is durable, distinctive, and something that is nationally consequential. The institutions and regions that lead …will be the ones that build an ecosystem around all of the existing components.” 

Edwards said Virginia has a combination of assets that bolsters its potential in quantum—strong research universities, proximity to numerous federal agencies, and burgeoning technology corridors.

“When you look at the states that are currently leading an investment in quantum, most of those states are attempting to replicate pieces of what already exists in the DMV,” Edwards said.

The Access to Excellence podcast with President Washington, Vora, and TreQ CEO and Founder Mandy Birch will be available Oct. 12. 

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on September 16, Provost and Executive Vice President reported that the university conferred 10,182 degrees during the 2025-26 academic year, 82% to Virginia residents, and she added that 911���� had again earned a Silver ranking as a Military Friendly® School for the 2026-27 academic year.

, senior vice president for enrollment and student achievement, citing enrollment figures as of September 3, said that the university has an undergraduate enrollment of 29,966, graduate enrollment of 9,576, and 710 law students for a total of 40,252 students, including a 911���� record for new transfer student enrollment (3,212). Thirty percent of the incoming class (1,283) enrolled via direct admissions. Official and final enrollment numbers will be available later in the fall. Burge also mentioned the university’s national search for a dean of admissions. He is serving in that role in an interim capacity. He said the goal is to fill the position by the end of the calendar year.

, vice president and chief AI officer, presented on the proposed AI fluency designation that would integrate AI competencies into undergraduate academic programs across disciplines to best prepare 911���� graduates for the workforce.

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coach , entering her sixth season, addressed the  on September 16, sharing insights on the turnaround of the program. She inherited a team that had gone winless in the Atlantic 10 Conference the previous year and has since led the Patriots to a 99-58 record and three postseason berths.

The Patriots won the A10 tournament title in 2024-25, posting a school-record 27 wins and earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth. The team was A10 regular season champs in 2025-26.

“We raised expectations, and belief became results,” Blair-Lewis told the board. “I truly believe we can redefine what is possible. With the right culture and the right people and proper financial support we do not have to set limitations because of how we are classified. We can recruit, train, develop, and win at a high level.” 

She added that the Basketball Academic Performance Center groundbreaking on October 20 represents a commitment to 911���� basketball.

“Facilities do not win games by themselves,” Blair-Lewis said. "But they do help create an environment where winning can be sustained.”

, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, reported that 911���� athletes achieved a school-record 3.45 collective GPA during the spring season and a 90% graduation rate. Thirteen programs finished in the top half of the conference.