UMW Summer Enrichment Program is back this summer; registration is open now and there is a $100 discount for faculty and staff families

The UMW Summer Enrichment Program is back this summer, offering rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders a week-long residential experience focused on hands-on learning, exploration and connection. Students live on campus, take engaging courses taught by UMW faculty, participate in enrichment activities and field trips, and experience the UMW community firsthand.

The program runs July 12–18, 2026 with courses spanning STEM, arts, humanities and more. Faculty and staff families are eligible for a $100 registration discount and tuition assistance is available for select courses. The program fee includes tuition, housing, meals, course materials and activities. Spots are limited. Learn more and apply at umw.edu/summer/sep.

Faculty and staff are invited to join a special basketball doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 14, featuring the women’s basketball team at 4 p.m. followed by the men’s basketball team at 6 p.m. During the games, the President’s Box will be open from halftime of the women’s game through halftime of the men’s game, offering light food and drinks for faculty and staff.

Attendees are welcome to stop by the President’s Box to enjoy refreshments, connect with colleagues, and cheer on the Eagles! Special thanks to the Office of the President and the Office of the CAS Dean for their support and funding of this event.

• Faculty Pedagogy Colloquium (3 presentations in the next month!)
• No Time to Read: More Than Words (so, what about writing and AI?)
• New Series: Playful Pedagogy (there are three rules to play in this club…)
• CfT group meetings (new faculty and aspiring writers, we mean you!)

• Research and Creativity Collaborative
• CCE and preparations for the Public Square Debate
• Life After Mary Washington
• February Digital Accessibility Focus: Audio and Video

Students taking part n small-group mock interviews during spring intern Professional Development Day.

The College of Education recently hosted its Spring Intern Professional Development Day for student interns completing their student teaching this semester. The day began with hands-on CPR/AED training led by Lara Traylor from the Rappahannock EMS Council. This required certification for Virginia teaching licensure was offered at no cost to students through the College’s partnership with the EMS Council.

The afternoon shifted focus to preparing interns for the job search process. Human resources representatives from Fredericksburg City, King George County, Prince William County, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County Public Schools participated in a panel discussion, answering questions about securing teaching positions and navigating the hiring process.

Following the panel, students took part in small-group mock interviews, rotating through three interview rounds. District representatives shared insights into what school divisions look for in candidates and offered feedback on how students can best highlight their strengths. Interns left the day with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of what to expect as they enter the education workforce.

The College of Education extends its thanks to all participating school divisions for their time and support in helping prepare UMW’s future teachers.

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Alice Carolyn Coates, a former member of the adjunct faculty at Mary Washington. She died on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the age of 81.

Coates devoted her career to education and service, spending 35 years teaching in Stafford County Public Schools and 15 years as an adjunct faculty member at Mary Washington. She served as a Virginia Supreme Court-certified mediator, volunteering in area courts for 15 years. She earned her undergraduate degree at Longwood College and her master’s degree in education at Virginia Commonwealth University.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 14 in Fredericksburg and a burial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 in Halifax. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Women and Girls Fund of The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region or to your favorite charity. For more information, please see the full obituary online.

At the time of this public notice, Feb. 10, 2026, a state budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year has not yet been adopted. State budget actions are a key factor in the setting of tuition and fee rates.

For planning purposes, the University of Mary Washington (UMW) is considering for 2026-27 a potential increase in tuition between 0% and 4% and in comprehensive auxiliary fees between 0% and 5%.

Revenue from a tuition and fee increase in 2026-27 would support additional funding required from UMW for state-mandated compensation actions for faculty and staff; increases in the minimum wage and state fringe benefit rate changes; inflationary cost increases impacting the cost of goods, materials and services; university priorities; and state administrative system charge increases that are passed on to UMW.

As currently scheduled, UMW’s Board of Visitors will vote on the 2026-27 tuition and fee rates at its meeting on April 17, 2026.

The Board of Visitors will hold a public comment period at 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center Rappahannock Ballroom. This will be a time for members of the public, as well as members of the University community, to share their thoughts with Board members. To sign up for a three-minute slot, go to Public Comments – Board of Visitors (umw.edu).

In mid-February, UMW will welcome several candidates to campus for interviews for the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development (*name pending SCHEV approval). As we announced in the fall, Dean Pete Kelly has announced his retirement, effective at the end of this academic year.

Throughout the fall semester, work was completed with partner Buffkin/Baker to collect feedback, initiate a national search, and accept applications. Four candidates will come to campus this month for in-person interviews with our leadership groups and to present at open forum sessions for faculty and staff.

Please SAVE THE DATE for the following at 2 p.m. in the Weatherly Wing in Seacobeck Hall each day.

• Friday, Feb. 13
• Tuesday, Feb. 17
• Thursday, Feb. 19
• Monday, Feb. 23

A reminder with the CV for the candidate will be sent before each date with a feedback form as the interviews conclude.

The search committee includes:

• Keith Mellinger, Dean of Arts and Sciences (Chair)
• Janet Atarthi-Dugan, Director of the BSN Completion Program
• Patrick Catullo, Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education
• Christy Pack, Director of Graduate Admissions
• Kyle Schultz, Professor of Education
• Laura Wilson, Professor of Psychology

Faculty and staff are encouraged to get involved in the search process for this leadership role as we seek a dean who will support our strength in education while growing new programs in human development, including nursing and counseling.

University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino

President Paino invites you to join him at a Conversations with the President session, offering an informal opportunity to share insights and engage in candid discussions that are aligned with our community values and in support of making University of Mary Washington the best it can be. Occasionally, the sessions may focus on a particular issue facing us or may include other leaders who represent areas critical to institutional progress.

The following sessions will be offered this semester:

• Tuesday, Feb. 17, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., virtual Conversations with the President session via https://umw-sso.zoom.us/j/81479930265?pwd=Ox4kBo2n5WcffZBhFlCBkM9HA7Ylba.1
• Monday, Apr. 6, 3 – 4 p.m. – CANCELLED due to the President’s travel commitments