June 30, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Help Shape UMW’s Future By Sharing Your Voice

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A Message from the President

Dear Mary Washington Community,

Last spring, the University began sharing plans to engage in rebranding to ensure that UMW is authentic, distinctive, and compelling on the higher education landscape. After a national search for firms that understand education, but can consistently present universities in fresh ways, ten firms were invited to campus for preliminary pitches to a group of faculty and staff. The field was narrowed to four firms, ranging from small boutique shops to international, full service agencies, and then further narrowed to two groups that demonstrated the most alignment with and affinity for UMW’s mission, culture, and community.

During the fall All-University Assembly for employees, I announced that the University had selected from that final two a branding partner: Mindpower (www.mindpowerinc.com) of Atlanta. Mindpower has worked with more than 100 higher education institutions and was heartily recommended by schools ranging from Harvey Mudd to Indiana State to Mount St. Mary’s. Each school commended Mindpower’s ability to listen intently to the community, to interact respectfully and collegially, and to develop authentic and distinctive creative concepts. When asked “Why UMW?” Mindpower’s CEO, Lisa Jordan, responded that UMW was “ready to zag,” signifying our willingness to chart our own path and to stand independently against short-lived trends and short-sighted goals. In other words, they saw that Mary Washington wants to make its mark in a way that stands the test of time.

When a brand stands for something, not everyone will agree with it. In fact, if a brand is universally embraced, it probably doesn’t stand for much. We understand this, and yet, we believe a strong brand is rooted in truth, which should come from the people who live the UMW experience.

This is why I am asking for your help. UMW needs your voice in this work.

There are two ways I ask you to be involved: 1) Participate in a group or open forum in October to share what you think makes UMW exceptional, and 2) Complete a comprehensive survey later this fall that will help validate and refine the initial qualitative research.

Our timeline is ambitious for the process. Mindpower began its conversations on campus this past week, hosting multiple focus groups of students, faculty and staff who represented the broadest cross section of campus possible. The team will return twice in October: once to meet with external groups like alumni, parents, and donors, and a second time to converse in more depth with the campus community.

From October 22 to 24, the team will be on campus and they want to hear from you. Please join one of our two open forums for faculty and staff on Wednesday, October 23, at 4 p.m., or on Thursday, October 24, at 9 a.m. The locations will be announced later this month. Your opinion and willingness to share your input is all that is required. The qualitative research will inform a comprehensive survey that will be sent to the entire campus and every constituent for whom we have current contact information. After the research phase in the fall/winter, Mindpower will work diligently through the spring and summer to develop a creative concept for UMW. Our goal is to launch the new brand in the fall of 2020.

Please join us in shaping the way UMW is presented, framing the stories we tell, and giving our message a fresh and compelling narrative. If you have questions or would like to learn more about the process, please contact Vice President for Advancement and University Relations Lisa Jamison Bowling ’89 (lbowling@umw.edu) or Director of University Marketing Malcolm Holmes (mholmes3@umw.edu). We have a shared goal of creating and establishing a brand that is as exceptional as UMW.

Sincerely,

Troy D. Paino, J.D., Ph.D.
President

 

 

 

 

Open Enrollment – Tuition Reimbursement Program, October 1 – October 21, 2019

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The following message is from the Office of Human Resources. 

Dear Colleagues:

Open Enrollment for Tuition Reimbursement for courses starting January 2020 – June 2020 is October 1-21, 2019. The complete policy and procedures are posted online but some important and key provisions are listed below. You may contact Denise Frye at dfrye2@umw.edu with any questions.

Program Purpose:

Eligible employees enrolled in a degree seeking program at other accredited institutions of higher education will be provided with tuition reimbursement up to a specified amount for courses after completion of the course and submission of proof of grade.

Eligibility:

This policy applies to classified, wage, administrative professional faculty, and other non-faculty part-time employees. Graduate Assistants who are required to be enrolled in UMW graduate programs are not eligible for this program. Eligible employees must be continuously employed by the University for a minimum of one year prior to their application for reimbursement and job performance must be satisfactory or at the “contributor” level.  Tuition up to the approved amount will be reimbursed upon receipt of proof of completion of approved courses.  Employees who receive tuition reimbursement must remain employed at the University of Mary Washington during the term of the courses taken and for one year after receipt of tuition reimbursement for those courses(s) or be subject to terms for repayment as described in the written agreement. 

Important Information to Know:

  • The open enrollment period is for courses taken January 2020 – June 2020 is October 1 – October 21
  • The program’s funding will be limited to $50,000 per calendar year; $25,000 will be budgeted for each period  January-June and July-December.
  • Each eligible employee may receive up to  $2,500 in assistance each period. The amount of assistance will vary depending on the number of requests and the    available funds for that period i.e.  where $25,00.00 is available, 20 requests may each be awarded  $1,250.
  • A Tuition Reimbursement Request form is required to be submitted to Human Resources during open enrollment for courses starting January 2020- June 2020. (Link to the form is on page 3 of the policy)
  • The Finance office will notify the employee the Tuition Reimbursement Request Form has been approved within 2 weeks of the open enrollment timeframe closing and request the following:
  1. a) Proof of enrollment  in a degree granting program
  2. b) Schedule of the institution’s fees
  3. c) Proof of payment
  • The assistance awarded will then be reimbursed to the employee upon submission of evidence of course completion with a minimum grade of “C” or “PASS” if a Pass/Fail course.  Submission of grade must be within 30 days of semester end.  The employee will receive reimbursement within 10 business days of grade submission to the Finance Office.

 

VRS Long Term Care Insurance Program – Special Enrollment

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Dear Colleagues,

Now through October 11, eligible employees who work at least 20 hours a week are invited to enroll in the Commonwealth of Virginia Voluntary Group Long Term Care Insurance Program, administered by the Virginia Retirement System. VRS has contracted with Genworth Life Insurance Co. as the insurer for the program. Eligible employees age 65 and under who apply by October 11 will have fewer medical underwriting requirements.

Under this program, coverage to help pay for long-term care may be more affordable than you think. It also offers a variety of coverage levels available to meet your individual needs and budgets.  Advances in medicine are helping us live longer; but living longer has its own challenges. About 70% of people over age 65 will require long-term care at some point to help manage their lives.  Most medical plans don’t cover long-term care services such as nursing home care or at-home care to assist with bathing, eating or other activities of daily living. Anyone at any age may need these services, the cost of which can quickly deplete savings or retirement income.

Estimate your cost or learn more at www.genworth.com/COV or call 866-859-6060.  

Join a live information session
Genworth is hosting live webinars to share the benefits of long-term care insurance. The 45-minute interactive sessions include time for Q and A. Register here.

For questions, please contact Genworth at 1-866-859-6060.