MANASSAS, Va. — Newly obtained emails cast doubt on claims that security threats forced George Mason University to decline hosting a hearing on the future of the Prince William Education Association.
The VEA had previously suggested that threats and disruptive behavior forced the cancellation of an in-person hearing at George Mason University’s Manassas campus. But emails from GMU officials indicate no such threats were ever reported.
Eligible Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) high schoolers will now receive admission offers directly from George Mason University (GMU), a step in the institution’s expansion into the region through the Direct Admissions program.
The program, which began in the fall of 2023, was piloted to try to reach students who may experience challenges in pursuing higher education. The release from 2023 stated that if eligible, students would not have to submit an application fee, teacher recommendations or essays.
The chamber is one of several signatories to a public letter released July 23 by the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), urging business groups across the state to rally behind Mason and recognize its essential role in the region’s economic future. The statement calls on the university’s Board of Visitors to reaffirm its support for Dr. Washington’s leadership.
“Mason is a cornerstone of Northern Virginia’s economic strength, and its students are the future of our workforce,” said NVTC President and CEO Jennifer Taylor. “We support Dr. Washington because his vision aligns with the needs of our business community.”
MANASSAS, Va. – Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District is officially underway, thanks to a major investment from the state.
Governor Glenn Youngkin recently announced a $2.6 million grant from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative focused on strengthening regional economies and supporting high-wage industries. Local governments, businesses, and educational institutions will contribute an additional $1.3 million, bringing the total initial investment to $3.9 million.
According to a concept plan document from 2024, the goal of the Innovation District — placed around the GMU SciTech Campus — is to connect jurisdictions and industry to create “lasting benefits for the community.”
“Serving as a catalyst, convener, connector, communicator and capacity-builder, the Innovation District will be a destination for ambitious minds to fuel lasting economic growth and well-being in the City of Manassas, Prince William County and beyond,” the document states.
Lewis, since the beginning of 2024, has faced medical struggles associated with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, FND is a condition that is caused by changes in how brain networks work rather than changes in the brain’s physical structure.
Symptoms vary across the individuals who are diagnosed with FND each year, including seizure-like episodes, dizziness, speech difficulties, pain, numbness and movement problems.
Emmanuel Nwokeabia, a 2024 graduate of GMU’s Costello College of Business, took home the $13,000 top prize at this year’s Patriot Pitch Competition for his startup, Viralbite. His platform connects content creators—especially those who already post food photos—with restaurants looking to promote their dishes. Instead of relying on follower count, Viralbite rewards users based on actual engagement.
“What sparked the idea was seeing how hard it is for influencers to earn from their content, while restaurants pay heavily for photos and videos,” Nwokeabia said. “I thought, what if we connect the two in a way that benefits both?”
FAIRFAX, Va. – More than 7,500 Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) students were celebrated this week during one of the college’s largest-ever commencements.
Held May 12 at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena, the graduation ceremony drew over 1,600 graduates and more than 5,000 guests. The crowd was so big that overflow seating and a livestream were set up in a nearby concert hall, according to a release from the college.
MANASSAS, Va. — Bill Reeder, the founding dean of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), died over the weekend after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by family in hospice care, according to a message shared by current Dean Rick Davis.
Reeder joined George Mason University in 2001 and led the newly established CVPA for 14 years. Under his leadership, the college expanded its offerings to include now-thriving programs in Film and Video Studies, Computer Game Design, and Arts Management. These additions played a pivotal role in shaping the college into a comprehensive institution for arts education.
George Mason University is leading a major effort to create Northern Virginia’s first Innovation District, a sprawling 3,800-acre economic development zone centered around GMU’s SciTech Campus in Manassas and neighboring areas of Prince William County.
During a presentation at the Manassas City Council meeting on Monday, March 24, Amy Adams, executive director of the Institute for BioHealth Innovation at GMU, detailed the university’s vision for the Innovation District. The project would be anchored by George Mason’s research presence and designed to spur growth in four key sectors: aerospace and defense, life sciences, cybersecurity, and semiconductors.
