911±¬ÁÏ

For 911±¬ÁÏ baseball player Evan Blanchard, success isn’t just measured in hits and RBIs. During his internship with Mason Athletics’ marketing department, the third baseman helped design a promotional campaign that brought hundreds of fans—and a surge in attendance—to a men’s basketball rivalry game.

In its first year, 911±¬ÁÏ’s Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy is already demonstrating strong indicators of demand, academic rigor, and early student achievement. Interest in the program has grown rapidly. For the 2026-27 admissions cycle, ACCESS received 387 applications from ninth graders, nearly double the 193 applications submitted the previous year.

Megan Sharkey is hoping her research on teacher well-being will give districts and divisions the insights needed to get teachers the support they need.

Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, joins President Gregory Washington to discuss the future of education in a rapidly changing world.

Cheryl Hairston, BS Athletic Training ’15, and Jaylen Simmons, BS Kinesiology ’21, MS Athletic Training ’23, now serve 911±¬ÁÏ student-athletes as athletic trainers. Their journeys into the profession began with personal curiosity, mentorship, and formative experiences that ultimately shaped their careers.

Using biosensors and surveys, CEHD and CVPA worked together to find the cause behind increasing injuries in dancers.

With a new grant from Prince William County, 911±¬ÁÏ kinesiology professor Joel Martin is leading a comprehensive yearlong study to uncover whether the Fire and Rescue Department’s Work Performance Exam (WPE) truly mirrors the grueling realities of firefighting. By tracking everything from metabolic strain to air consumption, the project aims to refine the test and strengthen the scientific foundation behind firefighter readiness standards.

The Patriot Performance Lab keeps 911±¬ÁÏ athletes in top form through evidence-based practices, science, and a strong partnership between Athletics and CEHD.

Iulia Fratila is quoted and student Bryce Neuman is mentioned.

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at 911±¬ÁÏ is kicking off Future Ready Teachers, a new initiative designed to strengthen Virginia’s educator workforce by removing financial barriers, innovating and elevating teacher preparation, and supporting teachers from entry through their early years in the classroom.