University Scholars

Biology major Spogmai Ahmadzai joined Mason's EIP in 7th grade and took advantage of all the resources it has to offer. Now she is a University Scholar at Mason preparing for a career in health care.

During her time at Mason, University Scholar Aloana Hall had internships at the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia.

Sophia Ramirez participated in Mason’s Early Identification Program. Now she is a University Scholar in the Honors College, majoring in history.

Mason really wasn't on the radar for University Scholar Charly Dutton until she took a campus tour.

Incoming University Scholar Dayana Cespedes-Mendoza has been familiar with Mason for more than five years through her participation in Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP) for first-generation college-bound students, which she joined as an eighth grader.

Graduating with a bachelor of science in biology and minor in health, disease, and culture, Natalie VanderNoot is headed to Brown University this fall to pursue a master’s degree in public health.

Jasmine Okidi, a third-year University Scholar studying English, was selected as Mason’s first-ever recipient of the Beinecke Scholarship.

Kristen Alleyne and Elene Lipartiani, incoming freshmen at George Mason University, have been honored with I-Achieve scholarships for academic excellence. The awards are being given for the first time this year, as part of a grant Mason received from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation last fall.

When Taurus Patterson was looking at colleges, George Mason University struck him right away as a place that he could call a “second home.”

“I felt like I would be welcome,” said Patterson, 18. “Everyone I met was so nice, and it didn’t seem forced. When I visited the campus, people just started talking to me, and it was so natural. I already felt like I belonged.”

Patterson is a member of Mason’s Honors College, a University Scholar and a recipient of the Merten-Womble Scholarship. He says he’s looking forward to studying finance in the School of Business, and is considering a second major in public administration.

“A long time ago, I wanted to be president, and then I wanted to be a financial consultant,” Patterson said. “Really, I have a passion for both finance and politics, so I would like to be able to combine these interests.”