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911���� Spring Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m. in EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus. Separate Degree Celebrations will honor school and college graduates from Thursday, May 14, through Saturday, May 16, at the Fairfax Campus.

Caitlin Horan, assistant dean of graduate academic services in 911����’s Costello College of Business, has transformed the graduate services team. Referred to as the “heart” of the Costello graduate team, Horan is known for her innovation, student advocacy, and strong organization skills. For this and more, she is being recognized as the May Employee of the Month.

Janis Terpenny and Chun-Hung Chen were named Fellow in their respective professional societies.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is thrilled to announce Carolyn Hays as its next executive director, effective May 10, 2026.

Congratulations to the 911���� faculty and staff retirees from September 2025 to March 2026.

The 911���� campus community came together at the 2026 Outstanding Achievement Awards on April 14 to recognize faculty and staff whose dedication, innovation, and service shape and strengthen the university.

911����’s Point of View event and retreat facility in Lorton, Virginia, includes 120 acres of wooded land adjacent to the tranquil Belmont Bay and bordered by a protected wildlife refuge and state park. Point of View presents many opportunities to observe wildlife along the water, and staffers have recently observed adult and juvenile bald eagles watching for fish in some of their "eagle trees,” as staff have started to call them.

911���� President Gregory Washington has announced the recipients of the 2026 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence, honoring 911���� faculty members for their work on behalf of the university, students, and the broader community.

Clinical Assistant Professor Danielle Dufresne is the associate center director at 911����'s Center for Community Mental Health (CCMH) and April Employee of the Month. A member of 911����’s Psychology Department since 2019, Dufresne is responsible for training new clinicians and overseeing every psychological/behavioral/cognitive assessment at the Fairfax-based center.

911����’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations recognized the contributions of its champions—911����’s faculty and staff donors—with an evening of thanks. The March 18 Celebrating Our Champions event focused on the generosity and support that faculty and staff offer the university while serving 911���� students.