The Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows Program at the University of Mary Washington has opened applications to incoming undergraduate students who want to pursue research and careers in medicine, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental science, mathematics or physics. The program, which offers funding of up to $6,600 per year for four years of undergraduate study, is the only one of its kind in Virginia, offering funding and opportunities for undergraduate students that are typically only available for graduate-level degrees and advanced work in fields of study.

“This isn’t just another scholarship program – it’s a comprehensive interdisciplinary research training experience that prepares science students for graduate school and research careers while building lifelong connections with faculty mentors and fellow scholars,” said UMW Director of Sciences Lynn Lewis.

Piscopo Rodgers Fellows are involved in research beginning in their first year through a foundational research methods course and interdisciplinary shadowing of research teams. In their second year, students discover professional opportunities through a STEM career exploration seminar and engage in interdisciplinary research with other Piscopo Rodgers Fellows. Through coursework and hands-on faculty-mentored research experiences including the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute (SSI), students conduct research, present their work at conferences and learn to communicate complex ideas to many audiences.

Learn more about the undergraduate science fellowship.

The free session will cover:

• The “Intern” Trap: Why treating AI like a search engine leads to workforce complacency and how to fix it.
• The Bubble vs. Reality: A clear-eyed look at the massive infrastructure spending compared to headlines about workforce changes.
• Redefining Success: Moving beyond simple time-savings (“Hard ROI”) to capture cultural innovation (“Squishy ROI”).
• The Transformation Loop: A preview of the framework needed to ensure your workforce adapts rather than stagnates.

“We are living through the largest infrastructure build-out in history, yet many companies are finding that AI adoption is yielding more ‘busy work’ than actual productivity,” said Director of the Center for AI and the Liberal Arts and Professor of Communication Anand Rao, who will lead the session. “The problem isn’t the technology—it’s the management strategy behind it.”

Read more about AI Strategy Session.

A new program aimed at placing air conditioning units in the homes of Fredericksburg area residents this summer has taken flight.

Dubbed “Eagle Air Support” by organizers, the joint effort of the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and the University of Mary Washington will reuse surplus window air conditioners from UMW’s Fredericksburg campus.

The program will make use of air conditioning units that were once in student rooms in Russell and Marshall Halls. The two campus residence halls will be demolished this school year to make way for a new theatre as the academic home for Mary Washington’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

“As we take down two storied buildings on campus, we’ve looked for ways to salvage usable materials, including the air conditioning units, as well as items and bricks that preserve memories for alumni,” said UMW Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Capital Outlay Brian Gorham. “UMW Facilities Operations staff started with the process of removing and refurbishing these AC units to benefit the community.”

The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank has obtained 50 of the units from the University through the Virginia State Surplus Donation Program. The units will be made available at no cost to the food bank’s member pantries for distribution to their clients in the spring and summer months.

Read more about this partnership.

The University of Mary Washington will add a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, with enrollment beginning in 2026-27.

The new program gained approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) at its October 2025 meeting and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in November. It builds from Mary Washington’s established RN-to-BSN completion program, offering healthcare professionals a next step in their education and careers. This new graduate program will prepare nurses for leadership roles in clinical practice, education and healthcare systems.

MSN students can choose the nursing education track to be ready for faculty roles at colleges and universities or in clinical facilities through curriculum development, assessment and education technology or select the family nurse practitioner track to focus on advanced nursing practice and primary care.

Each track includes 18 credit hours of core coursework, with 12-18 additional hours in the track area, as well as 5-9 credit hours for clinical practicums and a one-credit hour capstone course. It requires two years of full-time study or three years for part-time study, with online coursework and in-person practicums.

“This program aims to address vacancies in primary care and healthcare higher education in our region and across the Commonwealth, equipping nurses with advanced competencies and expertise for leadership, specialized practice and improved patient outcomes,” said Director of Nursing Janet Atarthi-Dugan. Read more about the UMW MSN degree program.

The University of Mary Washington has partnered with The Good Steward Farm to enlist a herd of goats to clear overgrown areas in the woods along the Sunken Road boundary of the Fredericksburg Campus. About a dozen goats are working to assist with the removal of invasive plant species and ready the grounds for winter, so that native plants can grow in the spring.

The goats are skilled at reaching hard-to-landscape areas such as hillsides, offering an environmentally friendly landscape management practice that reduces the need for herbicide and gas-powered equipment.

“Goats eat invasive plants like English ivy, poison ivy and brush, leaving behind healthier soil for native plants and our urban forest. It’s a fun, eco-friendly alternative to land management,” said UMW Director of Landscape and Grounds Holly Chichester-Morby. “‘Goatscaping’ – a real term – is a sustainable approach that allows us to clear overgrowth and invasive species in a large, difficult area without chemicals or crew labor. This allows our UMW landscape crew to focus on other autumn grounds tasks while providing a nice, healthy buffet for the goats. Plus, they are really cute.” Read more about UMW welcoming goats to its Fredericksburg campus.

The college application season doesn’t have to be scary this Halloween – a special early action filing date of Oct. 31 gives regional area high school seniors early access to their admissions decision from the University of Mary Washington.

High school seniors and their families can join admissions experts on the Fredericksburg campus, Tuesday, Nov. 4, to receive their official admissions decision just days after applying.

The Nov. 4 afternoon reception will include information, exploration and connection designed for first-year applicants planning to start in Spring 2025, Summer 2025 or Fall 2026.

Schedule highlights:

• 1:30 p.m. – Check-In
• 2:00 p.m. – Information Session
• 2:30 p.m. – Campus Tour
• 3:45 p.m. – Decisions Available

Pre-registration for the event is recommended, and a completed application is required for the admissions decision. The event is open to any high school student or transfer student interested in UMW.

Prospective students that can’t make the Nov. 4 event are encouraged to attend the final Fall Open House on Saturday, Nov. 8, featuring academic interest sessions, campus tours and more. Admissions decisions will also be available Nov. 8 for students with applications submitted by Oct. 31.

The University of Mary Washington has established and named the Irene Piscopo Rodgers School of Science. Approved by the Board of Visitors at the September 2025 meeting, the naming of the School of Science recognizes the extraordinary gifts of the 1959 alumna, who was a pioneer in her field of electron microscopy and an ardent supporter of students’ continued education and advancement in the liberal arts and sciences at Mary Washington.

Housed in the Jepson Science Center, the School of Science offers a collaborative approach and shared space for innovations and initiatives. It includes the biological sciences, chemistry and physics, and earth and environmental sciences.

“Irene’s generosity ensures that our students will continue to explore, discover and lead in the sciences for generations to come,” said UMW President Troy Paino.

A lifetime supporter of her alma mater, Rodgers passed away in 2022, leaving more than $35 million to the University of Mary Washington, far surpassing any prior gifts and establishing the largest one-time fund in the 117-year history of the institution. As a loyal and dedicated alumna, she served on class reunion committees, attended numerous events and stayed in contact with classmates and with her scholarship recipients, often exchanging notes of appreciation and aspiration for their work. Read more.

The next two fall Open Houses at the University of Mary Washington offer high school students additional access and insights into the prestigious Honors Program and STEM fields available to undergraduates. Visit campus on Saturday, October 18, or Saturday, November 8, to get a firsthand look at UMW’s nationally recognized academic programs, experience campus life and see Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the peak fall season.

The October 18 Open House is ideal for students interested in the Honors Program, which fosters curiosity, creativity and leadership across disciplines. Attendees will meet honors faculty and students, explore campus, tour residence halls and learn how the program supports high-achieving students through research, mentorship, and community engagement. Read more. 

The University of Mary Washington has long been a leader in higher education adapted to a global digital environment. Now with the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI), it has centered this work, bringing together faculty and students from communication and digital studies, computer science, humanities, social sciences, arts and other fields to explore AI’s applications and implications in a liberal arts context. The Center for AI and the Liberal Arts at UMW launches this fall 2025.

UMW’s Center for AI and the Liberal Arts will serve as a hub for research, teaching and public engagement. Led by Professor of Communication and Digital Studies Anand Rao, the Center focuses on valuable knowledge and skills essential for students and educators.

“We’re not just preparing students for the classroom — we’re preparing them for the world beyond it, and that means preparing them for an AI-driven future,” said Rao. “It’s essential to understand what AI will mean for the workforce, education, and our daily lives. Our students won’t just learn about AI — they’ll help shape the conversation.”

The Center’s launch also aligns with UMW’s broader mission to foster critical thinking, ethical leadership and civic engagement in a rapidly evolving digital world. With course topics already on the schedule this summer and fall, the Center has programming underway to support students, faculty and the broader community. Read more.