University Life

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on 911��’s campuses

lclarkg — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:36:55 +0000

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on 911��’s campuses lclarkg Thu, 10/22/2026 - 10:36

911��’s Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) empowers students to navigate barriers to academic success and well-being through advocacy, holistic support, inclusive services, and prevention education—fostering resilience, safety, stability, and lifelong success for students.

The center recently honored its 10th anniversary with a series of events, including a donation drive to benefit one of its key services: the Patriot Pantry, which provides access to nonperishable food and hygiene items to 911�� students who are experiencing food insecurity. The “End Hunger Games” competition brought the campus community together for a common cause and highlighted the work SSAC does to address food insecurity.

The Student Support and Advocacy Center hosted the "End Hunger Games" donation drive to support the Patriot Pantry. At the wrap-up event, attendees relished in the spoils of victory and celebrated the successful initiative with carnival games. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Each team in the competition was assigned a specific item to donate. The Office of University Branding was dubbed "District Black Bean." Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“The purpose of the event was to demonstrate that anyone can be a part of addressing food insecurity on our campuses,” said John Eichler, coordinator for Basic Needs Services in SSAC.

Twenty-six teams participated across the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square, representing university offices, departments, and student organizations. Each team was assigned a specific nonperishable food item or hygiene product to collect for the pantry.

As a result, 1,730 pounds of nonperishable food items and hygiene products were collected during the month-long donation period. The Office of University Branding claimed first place in the competition, collecting a total of 500 pounds of black beans.

“Students often feel they face food insecurity alone,” said Eichler. “Creating a campus-wide event brings more visibility to college students’ hunger and lets students know there is a community that strives to support their right to basic needs like food.”

With the large influx of donations through the End Hunger Games, community members can support the Patriot Pantry in the following ways:

Donate to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund and the Patriot Pantry Expansion Fund;
Order still-needed items from the Amazon wish lists for the Fairfax and Mason Square pantries. Ship directly to the pantry address included on the wish list, or drop off items in the donation bins on the Fairfax Campus, Student Union Building I, Room 3011, or at Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Room 211;
Sign up to receive information about individual or group volunteer opportunities with the Patriot Pantry. Contact pantry@gmu.edu with questions.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

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Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service sees highest participation in a decade

Katarina Benson — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:37:07 +0000

Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service sees highest participation in a decade Katarina Benson Thu, 10/08/2026 - 12:37

Nearly 400 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members participated in 911��’s 14th annual Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service, the event’s strongest turnout in nearly a decade. The day brought together volunteer-led projects, educational programming, and a community blood drive. An opening ceremony and “Thank You Lunch” in Dewberry Hall honored veterans and first responders.

Volunteers making animal blankets. Photo by Andani Munkaila

Participants registered for 632 volunteer shifts, with many serving in multiple projects throughout the day. Nearly 100 additional attendees participated as walk-ins. Registration more than tripled last year’s total and reached its highest level in the past 10 years.

Projects included making toys and blankets for animals in local shelters, working in 911��’s Innovation Food Forest, picking up trash on campus, writing cards, and collecting and sorting donations for Women Giving Back.

The event also strengthened connections between 911�� and the broader community. A group of fifth-grade students from Pattie Elementary School in Prince William County participated in a Leadership for Positive Change workshop facilitated by student staff from the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement. The Pattie Elementary School student group also ran a picture frame decorating project and spoke at the luncheon, reflecting on their volunteering and workshop participation. Prince William County Schools created a video highlighting the day’s events.

Students from Pattie Elementary. Photo by Andani Munkaila

911�� partnered with Inova to host a blood drive, which attracted 90 donors and produced 57 blood products, including 37 units of whole blood and 20 units of red cells. According to Inova, it was the largest blood collection effort held at 911�� in years.

Taking part in the Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service offers volunteers a way to give back to the university and local communities and contribute to positive change.

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Mason Recreation facilities are getting into shape with improvements that support fitness and well-being

lclarkg — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:47:21 +0000

Mason Recreation facilities are getting into shape with improvements that support fitness and well-being lclarkg Thu, 09/24/2026 - 10:47

911�� is offering improved fitness and well-being experiences across Mason Recreation facilities this fall, featuring new exercise equipment, technology, and redesigned spaces to support the Mason Nation’s fitness goals.

Mason Recreation has invested about $3 million in facility enhancements and equipment upgrades on the Fairfax Campus throughout 2026, along with an additional $1 million through the second phase of the multi-year Aquatic and Fitness Center (AFC) improvement project.

The Aquatic and Fitness Center cardio gallery. Photo by Mason Recreation

“Mason Recreation is an important part of the experience 911�� provides, and the timing was right to invest in spaces that reflect the momentum we’ve built over the past several years,” said Sheldon Tate, executive director of Mason Recreation. “These improvements bring our equipment and facilities in line with the experience we want to provide for students.”

The improvements span the AFC, Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC), and Skyline Fitness Center. While minor improvements began during the 2025–26 academic year, much of the most visible work occurred this summer.

“Patrons will notice the replacement of aging equipment and infrastructure, which means fewer equipment outages and a more consistent experience every time they visit,” said Chris Topping, director of facilities and strategic partnerships for Mason Recreation. “We also invested in new technology and wellness-focused amenities that offer more ways to use our recreation facilities and support well-being.”

Patrons will notice upgraded equipment at campus recreation facilities like the AFC (pictured). Photo by Mason Recreation

The most extensive changes took place at the AFC, including upgraded flooring, lighting, and finishes, plus new wellness and recovery amenities. Matrix and Hammer Strength fitness equipment and smart strength training equipment were added to the upper fitness area. The app-based EGYM strength training system automatically adjusts equipment based on a user’s height, strength level, and fitness goals, provides guided workouts, and tracks progress over time.

The AFC now offers a new Stretching and Recovery Studio, giving patrons a dedicated space for recovery, mobility, and wellness. The studio includes recovery technology like Hyperice devices, zero-gravity chairs, Normatec compression systems, massage guns, foam rollers, and other tools. A massage chair is expected to be added to the studio, with another planned for the RAC.

The app-based EGYM strength training system automatically adjusts equipment based on a user’s height, strength level, and fitness goals for a personalized experience. Photo by Mason Recreation

Upgrades at the RAC include new fitness equipment and classroom furniture. Both racquetball courts are being converted into a Functional Training Studio, adding space for activities such as strength and conditioning, instructional classes, and club sport training.

The Skyline Fitness Center is sporting a refreshed layout with new Matrix and Hammer Strength equipment, flooring and turf in the cardio and free-weight areas, and updated finishes.

Mason Recreation has also added more flexible spaces for activities beyond individual workouts. Classroom spaces at both the AFC and RAC can be easily converted into multipurpose spaces, accommodating a wider range of programs, events, and student activities.

“The best part of this is that we aren’t done yet, and more surprises are on the horizon,” said Tate.

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911�� welcomes largest undergraduate class

ckearney — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:07:17 +0000

911�� welcomes largest undergraduate class ckearney Mon, 08/24/2026 - 14:07

911�� undergraduate enrollment will hit a new high this semester with the arrival of more than 7,400 incoming students, thousands of whom packed into EagleBank Arena on Friday for New Student Convocation.

President Washington emphasized the university values when addressing the incoming class. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The incoming class includes about 4,300 new freshmen and more than 3,100 transfer students—a school record for transfers—including 950 transitioning from the ADVANCE Program partnership with Northern Virginia Community College. The ADVANCE total also is a record.

Almost one-third of newly enrolled first-year students were admitted through the university’s direct admissions program. Overall enrollment figures are not yet official but undergraduate enrollment is expected to top 29,600.

911�� President Gregory Washington, in full regalia and joined onstage by Provost Marion Underwood, deans, and other university leaders, welcomed the students and acquainted them with the university’s seven core values so the newest Patriots could better understand their new home.

Topping the core values list is “our students come first” and “innovation is our tradition.” Both are particularly salient points this year because of how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping higher education. To best prepare students for post-graduation success, they must have the ability to maximize new technology and adapt to future advancements.

“I have a motto: If you want to be big, you have to be big in the big things,” Washington said. “For example, we're going to show you how to lean into AI and use it wisely.”

Students filled EagleBank Arena for the New Student Convocation. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Keynote speaker and Vice President and Chief AI Officer Amarda Shehu advised students to embrace innovation that can improve the human condition while at the same time retaining the curiosity of a beginner and not overrelying on technology to “spare you the discomfort of being bad at something. Because the years of being bad at something are the years you become good at it.”

Shehu steered students to patriotai.gmu.edu and the course UNIV 182 “AI for All.”

“It's happening so fast that many universities have not had time to think through their response,” Shehu said. “Many of them are still studying the question. Well, not here. You're in a very different kind of institution. Here at Mason, we decided a few years back when we just got a glimpse of the possible that we will do something harder. Not panic, not freak out, not lock things down, but provide access to the technology and teach you how to leverage it.”

Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, encouraged students to pursue deep connections with their classmates. That was a theme that many students mentioned at convocation in spoken testimonials about their involvement and growth at the university.

“Don't miss that chance. Put yourself out there,” Renshaw said. “But I want to go a step further and say also, somewhere in this crowd is someone so fundamentally different from you, you might not even be able to imagine having a conversation with them right now. I am here to tell you that they are your people, too. Push yourself to find them and engage with them. Those might be some of the most meaningful experiences you have while you're here.”

Student Body President Griffin Crouch. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Griffin Crouch, student body president and a senior political science and international politics major, recalled his uncertainty as a nonresidential student three years ago. He reminded his new constituents that they will be surrounded by classmates who also are trying to find new opportunities and connections. He suggested visiting Contemporary Student Services, a resource for nonresidential students and many other groups.

“No matter who you are, you're going to have a place here,” Crouch said. “But it's on you to find your path…. The greatest things you're going to learn here are about yourself.”

Washington told students that 911�� will prepare them for success better than any institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and in the Washington, D.C., area, referencing career surveys from recent graduates and the university’s No. 1 state ranking for value, salary outcomes, and upward mobility.

Students walking over to EagleBank Arena. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

He also emphasized the university’s commitment to inclusion, citing the “best of the best” designation from the Campus Pride Index and the university’s standing in the top 10% of U.S. colleges and universities for free speech.

“The university not just values, but embraces, people from all walks of life and from all backgrounds and perspectives,” Washington said. “That's incredibly important to us.

“Look, we're the most diverse public institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia. But I guess I don't have to tell you that. Just take a look around. You are representative of that most diverse class.”

Convocation is part of the Preamble, a series of events for all new incoming students, which is part of Welcome2Mason, with events continuing through mid-September.

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SixDegrees.org partners with 911�� to support families, students

ckearney — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:19:59 +0000

SixDegrees.org partners with 911�� to support families, students ckearney Wed, 07/29/2026 - 14:19

SixDegrees.org hosted a Building Kits by Kevin Bacon activation on 911��’s Fairfax Campus on July 19, bringing together more than 100 volunteers to assemble 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits for students and families across Northern Virginia.

More than 100 volunteers to assemble 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits for students and families across Northern Virginia at the SixDegrees.org July activation. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The event, put on by SixDegrees.org, a Fairfax, Virginia-based nonprofit founded by actor Kevin Bacon, brought together 911�� faculty and staff, alumni, community members, and local nonprofits.

"Action is hope," Bacon told attendees, thanking them for turning their time and effort into tangible support for others.

The partnership grew out of conversations about the Patriot Pantry and the challenges many students face because of food insecurity, said Stacy Huston, chief executive officer of SixDegrees.org. "911�� is doing such a wonderful job on campus with these resources. It seemed like a natural partner."

The collaboration extends beyond the July event. 911�� global and community health professor Ali Weinstein and SixDegrees.org are conducting a research project examining how providing tangible forms of support—such as mental health kits—may affect both the people receiving assistance and the volunteers providing it.

President Gregory Washington with actor Kevin Bacon. Photo by Andani Gene Munkaila/Office of University Branding

911�� President Gregory Washington said the partnership reflects the university's commitment to supporting students in ways that extend beyond academics. "At 911��, we know that student success extends beyond the classroom,” Washington said. “Partnering with SixDegrees.org was an easy decision because we share a commitment to supporting students' well-being."

Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell said that partnerships like this reflect University Life's commitment to fostering connection, belonging, and community engagement. “When universities and community organizations work together, we can make a meaningful difference while building relationships that extend well beyond a single day of service,” Pascarell said.

The event will have an immediate impact on the 911�� community. While most of the meal kits will be distributed by Food for Others throughout Fairfax County, a portion will remain at 911�� to support students through the Patriot Pantry.

SixDegress.org CEO Stacy Huston, with President Gregory Washington, and Vice President Rose Pascarell. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Volunteers also assembled 400 mental health kits in partnership with Find Your Anchor. The kits contain practical resources, messages of encouragement, and information designed to support someone experiencing emotional distress and to encourage them to seek additional help. The kits will be distributed to 911�� students throughout the year at mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention awareness events.

Rachel Wernicke, 911��'s chief mental health officer, said the kits complement the university's broader efforts to support student well-being. "Find Your Anchor is an organization dedicated to supporting people who may be impacted by suicide by offering hope and a reminder that they are not alone. This initiative aligns closely with Mason’s suicide prevention efforts,” Wernicke said.

Huston said she hopes the partnership with 911�� will encourage other organizations and communities to pursue similar collaborations. "Stories don’t just inform; they also inspire. You might see what's happening at 911��, and another community might say, 'What would it look like for us to do that here?'"

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From no team to Nationals, meet the students who revived 911��’s quiz bowl team

Katarina Benson — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:23:11 +0000

From no team to Nationals, meet the students who revived 911��’s quiz bowl team Katarina Benson Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:23

Answer: This quiz bowl team went from nonexistent to nationally placed over the span of three years. Question: What is 911��?

This year, 911��’s intercollegiate quiz bowl team debuted on the national stage. Their A-Team won two major tournaments—the first ever won in the university’s quiz bowl history.

Quiz Bowl A-Team members (left to right) Margaret Withers, James Meek, Jeremy Katen, and Matthew Bucek show off their championship plaque for winning the 2026 Happy Hippopotamus Invitational tournament in April. Photo provided

They won the Upper Mid-Atlantic edition of ACF Fall in October 2025, hosted by Rutgers University, and the 2026 Happy Hippopotamus Invitational (HHI) put on by George Washington University.

Then they went on to nationals, placing highly in Division 2 of the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) Intercollegiate Championship Tournament (ICT), which will allow them the chance to compete for Division 1 next year.

Although 2026 was the third year of this iteration of the club, 911�� had fielded tournament competition teams from the late 1990s to 2016 before the student organization went into hibernation.

That changed when atmospheric science major Matthew Bucek, co-founder of the current quiz bowl team, arrived for his first year at 911��. He had competed in all four years of high school and was looking forward to continuing in college.

“When I came here and saw that there was no team, I thought my quiz bowl days were over,” Bucek said. “But I learned that my dorm neighbor had competed in high school and wanted to continue too. Since you only need two people to start a club, we brought the team back to life in 2023.”

Co-founders Bucek and Almir Keating struggled to find consistent membership for the first semester, with only three people showing up at the first meeting. Things started to turn around in the fall semester of that year, when recruitment efforts started to pay off.

In that first season, they won less than half of their games: 21 out of 43.

“Our first year, we weren’t very good,” James Meek, a graduate student in social work and current member of the A-Team, said. “It was very informal at the beginning. But then we decided to take more responsibility.”

The team recruited new members, eventually coming to field three teams this year: the A-, B-, and C-level teams, where the best team is reserved for the players who were improving the most or playing the best. Each team officially competes with four players, and 20 911�� students competed in 2026.

“We changed the culture in terms of study. Matt and I also just got way better, learning the game and knowledge base better, and gaining the ability to anticipate what they're going to ask,” said Meek.

They shifted their study strategy from having everyone try to learn everything and backstop one another, to specializing in different subjects. This year, out of the 60 games they played, they lost only 10.

The group also hosted a tournament for the first time. “We did an intercollegiate ‘Trash’ tournament, which means they ask only pop culture questions,” said Meek.

The team also created their own question sets—an arduous process—and another school is now using those sets in their own tournaments.

In addition to growing in size and skill, the team is forging friendships and study skills that will last lifetimes.

“My goal is getting promoted to B-Team,” said forensic science major Jun Chen, who has competed on the C-Team as a science specialist for two semesters. “I've gotten to bond with a lot of people. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging. Even when we mess up, we get straight back to it.”

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911�� career fair helps create accessible pathways to employment

ckearney — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:04:30 +0000

911�� career fair helps create accessible pathways to employment ckearney Thu, 07/09/2026 - 14:04

Many of 911��’s career fairs are large multi-day events, hosting hundreds of employers and capping the number of students in attendance each day. On a Friday in April, there was a smaller version of a career fair, hosted in the Johnson Center Bistro, for participants in the Mason Autism Support Initiative (MASI) and the Executive Functioning Program (EFP). Both fee-based programs are offered through Disability Services for degree-seeking students.

Fairfax County Government was among the employers meeting with students at the MASI/EFP Career Fair. Photo by Colleen Kearney Rich/Office of University Branding

The MASI/EFP Career Fair is intentionally small—no more than 15 employers, said EFP’s Assistant Director Sharon Toda, who started the event. It is designed to create a more accessible, lower-pressure environment for neurodivergent students who may encounter barriers (e.g., social interaction, new environments) when accessing traditional career fairs.

Prior to the event, students participated in a career readiness workshop conducted in partnership with University Career Services. The workshop helped students build confidence, prepare questions, and develop strategies for navigating and communicating with employers during the fair.

What started as a small project collaborating with local employers who had neurodiversity programs has evolved into a larger event. The MASI/EFP Career Fair now brings various partner organizations to campus, enhancing student engagement and networking opportunities. Prominent organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, United States Geological Survey (USGS), and Fairfax County government are among the participants.

At the spring 2026 career fair, for the first time, participating students were provided with the opportunity to have headshots taken for professional purposes. Additionally, Fairfax County’s Community Services Board and Supported Employment program, which assists county residents with disabilities, participated by offering information and resources on health and wellness. They also provided support in accessing resources to navigate employment opportunities and job coaching support.

USGS geologist Mercer Parker talks with a student. Photo by Colleen Kearney Rich/Office of University Branding

This year 10 employers participated either in-person or virtually. One employer that has been involved from the beginning is Melwood. Elizabeth A. Foster, Melwood’s director of career exploration and development, said this event is a perfect fit for the organization. “My big thing is to try to get people who are neurodivergent, jobs or training or whatever supports they need to be successful,” said Foster. “I love that I have seen amazing growth [at 911��]. I just saw a fantastic resume. It's the kind of resume that I would expect from somebody who's been out in the field for years.”

The USGS had a table to promote its work transition program, Secondary Transition to Employment Program (STEP-UP). “What we do is we find their skill sets and their passions, and we figure out how they fit into the USGS,” said geologist Mercer Parker. “I tell students: Whether you are a creative designer, an economist, or a musician, there's a place for you in the federal government.”

Christann Chanell, a visitor experience coordinator at the National Postal Museum who is neurodivergent herself, said participating in the career fair is a way for her to give back to this community. “It's a way to let people know that companies and organizations are aware and will support their journey and their career. For me, that’s the main inspiration.”

Her colleague MaryBeth Wagner, adult programs manager for the National Postal Museum, concurs. “The Smithsonian Institution is very passionate about accessibility,” said Wagner. “We have staff members who need a little bit more support in their roles and letting more students know that these opportunities are available is very rewarding.”

The Johnson Center Bistro was the setting for the MASI/EFP Career Fair. Photo by Colleen Kearney Rich/Office of University Branding

This was the second MASI/EFP career fair that computer game design major Danish Parvez has attended. Parvez has been involved in MASI since his sophomore year. He came with a list of questions he planned to ask the employers, such as, “What makes someone a good candidate for a job with their company?” He also said he practiced how to present himself and his experience—these skills have already served him well when looking for a summer job.

“MASI’s really helped me navigate [the university environment],” Parvez said. “It's given me more skills to adapt. I feel like I was a bit lost my first year. I've come a long way since then.”

According to Toda, the career fair is one of the initiatives that MASI/EFP aims to support and prepare students for post-graduation and their transitions into the workforce. The goal in creating a smaller scaled career fair is to provide students in the programs with a platform to build confidence and practice in networking and expand their understanding of various career opportunities.

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911��’s Dwayne Hamilton Jr. makes room at the table for students facing basic needs insecurity

lclarkg — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:01:29 +0000

911��’s Dwayne Hamilton Jr. makes room at the table for students facing basic needs insecurity lclarkg Wed, 07/08/2026 - 10:01

Students at colleges and universities experience basic needs insecurity at higher rates than the general population, sometimes facing difficult choices between paying for their academic expenses—or paying for their basic needs.

911��’s Student Support and Advocacy Center offers programming and individual consultations to support student well-being across a spectrum of services, including basic needs, as well as sexual and interpersonal violence, financial well-being, substance use, and more.

To serve the increasing number of students experiencing basic needs insecurity, the center hired Dwayne Hamilton Jr. in 2023 as the university’s first assistant director for Basic Needs Services.

Dwayne Hamilton manages programs and resources that help students facing basic needs insecurities, including the Patriot Pantry. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“An institution having full-time staff members dedicated to addressing basic needs insecurity is rare in the current higher education landscape,” said Hamilton. “The creation of this position demonstrates 911��’s dedication to supporting this population of students.”

The Hope Center Student Basic Needs Survey, which surveyed students at 91 colleges and universities across 16 states between spring 2023 and summer 2024, found that 59% of students experienced some form of basic needs insecurity, with 41% experiencing food insecurity, 48% experiencing housing insecurity, and 14% experiencing homelessness.

At 911��, Hamilton manages programs that address these insecurities, including the Patriot Pantry. He serves as a case manager for students experiencing food, housing, and other basic needs insecurities, providing direct support services through one-on-one consultations and resource allocation.

“My role’s dual emphasis on case and project management fosters a continuity of care, minimizing gaps in support as students transition from case management meetings to enrollment in basic needs programs,” said Hamilton.

For example, when a student discloses basic needs insecurity during a meeting, Hamilton can immediately enroll them in eligible programs, creating a seamless, direct connection between services.

“This model not only prioritizes efficient student services but also prevents students from having to disclose their experiences to multiple parties,” said Hamilton.

Students may experience food insecurity when facing challenges like tight budgets, balancing school and work, lack of transportation or access to affordable food within the reach of campus, limited food storage space in dorms, and the requirements to qualify for food assistance.

Students attending an institution of higher education more than half-time are eligible for the Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) only if they meet an exemption and meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements.

Currently, about one in four 911�� students is in the first generation of their family to attend college, and 34% of 911�� students qualify for federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

The need for on-campus basic needs services has increased in recent years. At 911��, the Patriot Pantry experienced a 16% increase in student usage during the 2025–26 academic year. A survey of Patriot Pantry users during that time revealed that in the past 12 months, 90% of respondents reported worrying that their food would run out before they had money to buy more. Eighty-six percent of respondents indicated they could not always afford to eat balanced meals, and 83% reported eating less than they felt they should due to lack of money for food.

Eight out of 10 of these students said that hunger or lack of food negatively impacted their academic performance, including attendance, focus, and assignment completion.

“Beyond the already high cost of living in Fairfax County, rising food and housing costs further intensify students’ basic needs insecurity, increasing reliance on support services,” said Hamilton.

The university is addressing this growing need by expanding the Patriot Pantry on the Fairfax Campus, which is scheduled to open at a new location in the Johnson Center in fall 2027; adding an additional Patriot Pantry at Mason Square; and using funding sources awarded by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), like the Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program.

Hamilton loves seeing projects evolve from ideas to actions that support students. He is particularly proud of the Digital Purchasing Card program, which provides students with monthly monetary support that can be spent at grocery retailers nationwide. The Food and Housing Insecurity Fund, a donor-generated fund, supports this work. University Life recognized Hamilton with an Outstanding Service Award for his work on this program and broader contributions to the basic needs area.

Before working at 911��, Hamilton completed his MEd in student affairs administration in higher education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro while serving as a case manager for students experiencing bias/discrimination, financial instability, basic needs insecurity, Title IX incidents, and health concerns. He is now pursuing a PhD in education in 911��’s College of Education and Human Development.

The work supporting basic needs services can be intense at times, according to Hamilton. Outside work, he stays busy with his church’s educational organizations and music ministry.

“With the heaviness of this role, my church serves as a space to decompress, center my well-being, and reconnect to my calling to continue this work.”

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Mason Square flexed its neighborhood spirit at Clarendon FitFest

lclarkg — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:32:53 +0000

Mason Square flexed its neighborhood spirit at Clarendon FitFest lclarkg Thu, 05/21/2026 - 10:32

Mason Square hosted Clarendon FitFest on April 18, a community wellness event full of resources to promote active lifestyles, well-being, and meaningful connections between 911�� and the local Arlington community.

Photo by Romulfo Sison/Office of University Branding

The event brought together more than 400 attendees including students, faculty, staff, community members, and local businesses for physical activity, wellness education, and accessible health resources.

The sun was shining as more than 150 runners and walkers participated in the Pacers 5K run and two-mile walk to kick off the event. Live fitness demonstrations occurred every hour on the plaza, including Zumba, barre, Pilates, yoga, and more. Local fitness and wellness businesses hosted booths with interactive wellness activities.

Photo by Romulfo Sison/Office of University Branding

The event was a collaboration between 911��, Clarendon Alliance, and Pacers Running.

“Events like Clarendon FitFest are a great example of what becomes possible when a university is genuinely embedded in its surrounding community,” said Melissa Thierry, director of University Life Regional Campuses. “Mason Square is an urban campus, and that means the energy and vibrancy of the space depends on what we build together with our neighbors. The connection between campus life and the broader Clarendon neighborhood is a real asset to the student experience here.”

Photo by Romulfo Sison/Office of University Branding

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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, 911�� 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 911�� experience. “I think 911�� 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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