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The latest session of the Virginia General Assembly is well underway, coinciding with the start of Governor Abigail Spanberger’s first year in office. A new administration brings new staff and cabinet members who will help lead the commonwealth. Among them is 911���� alumna Gerica Goodman, BA Psychology ’12, MPA ’15, who now serves as the governor’s director of legislative affairs.

911���� students recently gathered with leaders in business, government, and the nonprofit sector at Fuse at Mason Square for an evening of mixing, mingling, and making connections. The annual Movers and Shakers Mixer introduces 911���� undergraduate and graduate students to professionals in a variety of career fields.

The state budget, signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on May 2, represents the Commonwealth of Virginia’s continued investment in 911���� as the state’s leading university for access, innovation and upward mobility. The funding goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Traci Kendall is the executive director of operations and community and local government relations at 911����. She has been with 911���� since 1996 and is one of the longest-serving members of the Office of Government and Community Relations. Kendall has been instrumental in establishing the university’s town-gown relations with local communities.

With the start of the fall semester comes the much-anticipated Movers and Shakers Mixer, the annual networking event connecting 911���� students with influential business, community, and government executives at Mason Square in Arlington.

As the saying goes “Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot,” and 911���� is proud to have a large group of Patriots serving the Commonwealth of Virginia in the General Assembly.

The Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) is helping inventors and entrepreneurs like Jourdan Saunders, CEO of The Resource Key, bring their innovations and technologies to market.

911���� received essential investments in its students, faculty and staff from Virginia’s biennium budget, which the General Assembly passed and Governor Glenn Youngkin signed on May 13, 2024. The funding goes into effect July 1, 2024.

More than 70 911���� students traveled to Richmond on Thursday, Feb. 15, to advocate for Mason’s legislative priorities during Mason Lobbies.

The legislative session is underway in Virginia’s General Assembly. 911����’s presence continues to make an impact in Richmond with an increased number of proud Mason Patriots serving the commonwealth.