911±¬ÁÏ

This summer, classrooms gave way to labs, field sites, and data sets as 911±¬ÁÏ faculty and students partnered to tackle some of society's most pressing challenges.

911±¬ÁÏ senior Mehmood Shajih has built his college experience around one goal: creating better mental health outcomes for young people.

Beech leaf disease is a threat to the Fairfax area’s estimated 4.2 million beech trees. A group of first-year 911±¬ÁÏ Honors College students got involved by mapping beech trees and symptoms in Daniels Run Park in Fairfax, which will help the City of Fairfax manage the disease.

Community Health students share their insights from nutrition professor and registered dietitian Raedah Basiri for their Honors College project exploring nutrition interventions for chronic disease.

Three 911±¬ÁÏ interdisciplinary teams placed in the 2026 National Case Study Competition in Health Education. Students share what they learned from the experience and why they recommend it to others.

This past spring, nearly a dozen 911±¬ÁÏ students received nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships, supporting work across a wide range of fields.

For many university students, scholarships are more than financial support. They represent a bridge to opportunity, enabling students to pursue their dreams and aspirations. At 911±¬ÁÏ, scholarship donors help pave the way for education that will shape students’ futures and prepare them to serve their communities.

Xia Parkes did not arrive at 911±¬ÁÏ certain she wanted to be a scientist. Originally, she envisioned a future in dermatology after shadowing a physician in her hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia. But once she began college-level coursework, lab experiences opened new interests for her. 

Honors College student Avery Shippen earned degrees in conflict analysis and resolution and art and visual technology while receiving multiple prestigious scholarships, fellowships, and international study opportunities. Her interdisciplinary work blending graphic design and peacebuilding, along with internships in global affairs and national security, has prepared her to pursue a career in education policy and curriculum development.

During her final semester at 911±¬ÁÏ, Sophia Colby put her environmental policy training into action. Colby traveled to Capitol Hill as part of the Rachel Carson Council’s National Environmental Advocacy Day, where she met with federal lawmakers to discuss climate legislation and community resilience.