Last month marked five years since the start of the partnership between INTO University Partnerships and George Mason University – a collaboration that has helped change the lives and careers of the almost 2,500 students from 72 countries who have benefited from the excellent teaching and student experience at INTO Mason.
At a special reception to mark the occasion, INTO Mason faculty and staff, along with former and current students, spoke to an audience consisting of representatives from both George Mason University and the local community about the center’s growing and enduring impact on the lives of young people. Since 2014, 98 percent of INTO Mason students eligible to progress continued their education at Mason and, in a recent survey, 92 percent of INTO Mason students said they were either ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their experience.
Five former INTO Mason undergraduate and graduate students from Venezuela, Mexico, China and Nigeria shared their first-hand experience at INTO Mason and explained how their time there had helped prepare them for success at Mason and beyond. Two of those students who began in an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway program said their programs had such an impact on them, they are now pursuing PhDs at George Mason University.
Next it was time to hear from the faculty members within the Mason community on what it means to work with students in a diverse, multilingual community.
"Over the past five years, INTO Mason has transitioned from ideation to full-scale operations in support of George Mason University's and INTO University Partnership's goals to increase global access to US higher education. Our programs are driven by faculty and staff focus on student success, and our consistently high progression and matriculation rates reflect the passion and commitment of everyone on our team,” said Karyn E. Kessler, Academic Director (Interim) INTO Mason.
The 5 Year Reception was held at the Mason Global Center, which has undergone a complete renovation from an on-campus hotel in 2014 to the vibrant, multi-use educational and residential building which is home to INTO Mason today. The building was decorated with posters highlighting INTO Mason’s academic programs, departments, HR initiatives, research completed by faculty and staff, as well as other INTO Mason achievements and collaborations.
INTO Mason Executive Director Todd S. Rose had this message for everyone: “We are excited that we can look back five years later and know that all the work everyone has put toward INTO Mason has been worth it. Each time a student from INTO Mason graduates from the university, it’s confirmation that the work we do is important.”
The well-attended event ended with a birthday cake, everyone joining in to sing Happy Birthday to INTO Mason and looking forward to the next successful five years and beyond of the partnership.
For more about the programs and facilities at INTO Mason, including details of the Mason Global Center, please visit INTO Study.