Prospective students and their families are invited to campus this fall for a series of open houses scheduled for Saturdays on Sept. 27, Oct. 18 and Nov. 8.

The University of Mary Washington welcomes prospective students and their families to campus this fall for a series of open houses designed to offer a firsthand look at academic programs, student life and the admissions process.

Saturday sessions are scheduled for Sept. 27, Oct. 18 and Nov. 8. The free events are open to high school juniors and seniors, and transfer students. Seniors who have already applied can also register for an expedited review for an on-the-spot admission decision.

Each program includes guided tours, opportunities to speak with faculty and current students, and sessions on financial aid, academic offerings and extracurricular activities. Families can also explore the surrounding city of Fredericksburg, which features historic landmarks and tours, specialty shops and restaurants.

“Visiting campus is one of the most important steps in the college search,” said Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President Melissa Yakabouski. “Open houses give students and families the chance to talk with faculty and current students, see the facilities and get a real sense of what it’s like to be part of the Mary Washington community.” Read more.

The ‘Take a Painting’ exhibit (pictured here) is one of four at Mary Washington’s duPont and Ridderhof Martin Galleries this year bringing together national and regional artists, alumni and students for both creativity and conversation. Photo by Nellie Bittenbender.

The University of Mary Washington Galleries open their doors this fall to a dynamic slate of exhibitions and events that bring together national and regional artists, alumni and students for both creativity and conversation.

From an interactive painting installation to mixed-media sculpture, abstract works and Native American art, the fall 2025 schedule at Mary Washington’s Ridderhof Martin and duPont Galleries offers opportunities for reflection, analysis and participation. A series of gallery talks, a juror lecture and a community roundtable will further connect audiences with artists, curators and cultural leaders.

“We are pleased to share a full season of programming that reflects the diversity of contemporary art and the strength of our community connections,” said Tracy Stonestreet, director of UMW Galleries. “Each exhibit and event is designed to spark dialogue, encourage participation and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement.” Read more. 

Senior Cynthia-Rose Seeds performs archaeological fieldwork at Corinth’s ancient port of Lechaion in Greece. She was one of several UMW students who got firsthand experience in excavation on that project this summer.

With trowel and brush in hand, University of Mary Washington senior Cynthia-Rose Seeds carefully cleared soil from a cremation urn she’d just uncovered at Corinth’s ancient port of Lechaion in Greece. It was one of many discoveries during a summer of fieldwork that gave the classical archaeology major firsthand experience in excavation.

Seeds was one of several UMW students who joined the Lechaion Harbor and Settlement Land Project this summer, where archaeologists are investigating Roman-period workshops, tavernas and basilicas. Working directly alongside professionals and faculty, the students helped with excavation, hauling and sifting soil, cleaning and sorting pottery fragments, and documenting discoveries through field notes and photographs.

In addition to unearthing the urn, the summer excavation provided many unforgettable discoveries for Seeds. Her most notable findings included Byzantine glass, coins, a basin-shaped carving and a “squatter’s wall,” an altar-like platform of baked tiles tucked into a corner of the dig site.

“Going out and excavating myself was so different from studying in the classroom,” Seeds said. “When I was doing it, that’s when I truly grasped and appreciated it, beyond just a mental understanding. It solidified my desire to get a master’s degree and go into archaeology as a career.” Read more. 

Eagles in Recovery is run by Health Promotions and Student Success Specialist Ray Tuttle (left) and Peer Recovery Specialist Devin Walsh (right). Along with the recovery coffee bike (seen here), they serve up hot beverages, education and outreach to the campus community. Photo by Parker Michel Boyce.

The Eagles in Recovery Program at University of Mary Washington has been awarded a $104,227 grant from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) to expand support for students in recovery from substance use.

Eagles in Recovery, which began in 2017, offers resources for students in all stages of recovery, from the sober-curious to those overcoming addiction. The state funding will assist with program services, staffing and training. It’s renewable annually for the next four years through a reapplication process, which UMW plans to pursue.

“Eagles in Recovery has become a cornerstone in UMW’s efforts to support student well-being,” said Peer Recovery Specialist Devin Walsh. “This grant helps ensure that students have access to a supportive community and resources to succeed academically while maintaining their recovery.”

The program includes weekly meetings and initiatives, such as recovery ally training, a dedicated clubhouse where students in recovery can connect, and a coffee bike that provides hot beverages, education and outreach. Through the years, additional support for the program’s substance-free mission have come through donor contributions and Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grants. Read more.

The University of Mary Washington has earned a spot in this year’s edition of The Princeton Review’s Best 391 Colleges.

The University of Mary Washington has once again been named among the nation’s best by The Princeton Review. The education services company included UMW in its 2026 edition of The Best 391 Colleges, which profiles just 15 percent of America’s four-year institutions.

While the publication doesn’t rank schools 1 through 391, several earn specialized accolades, including UMW, which appears in the Top 20 for #11 Best Health Services, #15 Best College Theatre, #15 Best Student Support and Counseling Services and #15 Town-Gown Relations. Selections are based on data taken directly from student surveys – collected from 170,000 students nationwide – highlighting schools that deliver exceptional academics, campus life and other key aspects of the college experience.

The Princeton Review praises Mary Washington for providing “an extremely thorough and well-rounded education,” with classes that range from discussion-based seminars to hands-on experiential learning beyond the classroom. Students highlight faculty who take the time to connect with them and are “very personable and understanding.” One student concluded that when it comes to UMW professors, “we are a first priority to them, and it shows.”

Campus life earned a mention for offering “plenty of activities that cater to so many different interests,” including arts and music showcases, athletics, service-based opportunities and longstanding traditions like Devil-Goat Day, where students engage in friendly games and competitions. In all, “there’s always some type of event going on.” Read more.

Mary Washington again ranks among the nation’s “best and more interesting” in the 2026 Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Once again, the University of Mary Washington has been named by the Fiske Guide to Colleges as one of the nation’s “best and most interesting” public and private four-year institutions. UMW is among 11 Virginia universities featured in the guide’s 2026 edition – its 42nd issue.

The bestselling publication describes UMW as “one of the premier public liberal arts and sciences colleges in the country,” attracting students who are “serious about academics, committed to an inclusive community and eager to contribute to the greater good.”

Strong connections between students and faculty remain a hallmark and “great source of pride” with 58% of classes having fewer than 20 students. A political science major told Fiske, “We are able to fully participate and not be another number in a room of hundreds.” A biomedical sciences student added, “The quality of the instructors is so outstanding that students can overcome any obstacles.”

UMW’s sense of community was called “unusually strong,” with students noting peers who are “kind, determined and hungry for academic and cultural knowledge.” One junior said, “Tradition is at the heart of UMW, and it’s one of the many things that instills a sense of community here.” Another student cited the wide variety of events, “from Tuesday night bingo to live music” as examples of ongoing campus engagement, saying “there’s always something happening on campus for students.”

UMW earned national recognition on Money’s 2025 list of ‘Best Colleges in America’ for value, quality and student outcomes.

The University of Mary Washington has been recognized by Money, earning a top spot on its 2025 list of the “Best Colleges in America.”

Now in its 11th year, the annual ranking highlights more than 700 four-year institutions that deliver strong academics at an affordable cost and prepare students for success after graduation. Mary Washington received 3.5 stars on Money’s five-star rating scale and was one of 26 schools in Virginia to make the list.

Designed to help families make informed decisions about where to invest in higher education, Money’s rankings prioritize value, affordability and return on investment. Its analysis weighed over two dozen data points in three main categories: quality of education (30%), affordability (40%) and student outcomes (30%). Factors include graduation rates, net price of a degree, student debt, alumni earnings and economic mobility. Read more.