The University of Mary Washington is recognized among the “Best Graduate Schools in America” by Money, earning a spot as one of 33 colleges nationwide in the “Best MBA Programs for Your Money” category for 2025.

Money’s annual ranking of post-baccalaureate programs helps students and professionals look at graduate schools through the lens of quality and value. The publication’s analysis considered quality and costs, with a focus on annual tuition and fees, debt burdens, employment rates and recent graduate salaries.

Mary Washington made the list for its master’s in business administration (MBA) program, earning four stars on a five-star scale. UMW was one of four Virginia colleges on the MBA list, all with four-star ratings. Other Virginia schools on Money’s list were James Madison University, Longwood University and the University of Virginia.

“This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the exceptional value and quality we deliver to our MBA students,” said UMW College of Business Dean Filiz Tabak. “It highlights our commitment to providing a rigorous, relevant and affordable graduate business education.” Read more. 

Over 20 different musical groups, dance troupes and cultural acts took the stage at the University of Mary Washington’s Multicultural Fair this past weekend, showcasing their talents across three main stages spread throughout the Fredericksburg campus.

Among the largest events the University hosts each year, the fair attracted thousands of attendees. Stretching as far as the eye could see along Campus Walk and Ball Circle – performers, vendors, information tables, food trucks and children’s activities were on display.

Now in its 35th year, the event was presented by the University’s James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC), in close collaboration with UMW student organizations, campus partners, faculty and staff, and the Fredericksburg community. The event was free and open to the public with food and crafts available for purchase.

“It’s wonderful each year to welcome such amazing international talent and craftsmanship to the beautiful UMW campus,” said JFMC Director Marion Sanford. “We are excited, not just about the variety of ethnic vendors and performers, but to continue our long tradition of bringing a global experience close to home.” Read more.

When the University of Mary Washington’s 2025 Commencement speaker shares her remarks during the May 10 ceremony, the soon-to-be graduates can be certain they are the center of her attention. That’s because Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt ’92, M.Ed ’07, superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), takes a student-centered approach and keeps education at the heart of everything she does.

She is also very familiar with the commencement stage, having celebrated thousands of high school graduates through her time as a teacher, principal, human resources professional and superintendent, and having graduated from Mary Washington twice, first with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then with a Master of Education in educational leadership.

“This dual perspective has been invaluable in my journey, especially as I work to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education and that our schools operate effectively and equitably,” she says. “My education at Mary Washington provided me with a strong foundation in leadership, resilience and perseverance – qualities that have been essential throughout my career. Starting my career as a special education teacher, I learned the importance of advocacy, patience and meeting students where they are on their educational journey. These skills carried over as I moved into leadership roles, including principal, director of human resources and chief of human resources. Each step reinforced my ability to navigate complex systems, foster equitable opportunities and build strong teams.” Read more.

The University of Mary Washington has been named in Poets&Quants Best Undergraduate Business Schools of 2025, released this morning, March 17.

The prestigious annual list evaluates undergraduate business schools based on three categories – admission standards, academic experience and career outcomes – each weighted at 33.3 percent and counting equally toward schools’ final scores.

While UMW comes in 84th overall, the University claims 34th in the “academic experience” category, landing in the survey’s top third, along with Georgetown University and the University of Virginia. Other Virginia schools listed in this year’s Poets&Quants rankings include the College of William and Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business and the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business.

“This recognition highlights our faculty’s expertise, our focus on innovation and the success of our graduates,” said UMW College of Business Dean Filiz Tabak. “It showcases UMW as a top destination for students seeking a rigorous, hands-on business education with small class sizes, personalized attention and strong career outcomes.” Read more. 

University of Mary Washington students swapped their textbooks and schoolwork for hammers, nails and paintbrushes this spring break, heading to Goose Creek, South Carolina.

The UMW Alternative Service Break (ASB) trip was part of Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge, which calls on college students nationwide to volunteer over spring break to support the non-profit’s mission to build, rehabilitate and repair homes in local communities and around the world.

Packed with activities aimed at improving substandard housing and aiding impoverished areas, the week-long trip began with work at the Habitat ReStore donation center and ended with handing a set of keys to a new homeowner.

“These students have heart, and we need more of that in the world,” said Lindsey Coates-Crawford ’18, public programs coordinator for UMW’s James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, who served as trip advisor. “Their level of commitment and love for the cause was inspiring. When work was suspended one day due to severe weather, they were genuinely disappointed they couldn’t continue. I know this week will stick with us forever.” Read more.

Kathleen Trenchard was walking on the University of Mary Washington campus early one morning when something caught her eye next to Melchers Hall. The giant cedar tree bathed in sunlight soon became the subject of her first piece for her Topics in Painting course.

“In the class, we were focusing on our personal canon and how we wanted to grow as an artist,” said Trenchard, who captured the evergreen in a photo and amplified the colors before bringing it to life on canvas with vibrant blue, red, green and gold oil paint and pigment powder. “It was an exercise to push myself in ways that are not normal for me.”

After decades as a self-taught artist and military spouse, Trenchard is pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree in studio art at Mary Washington – and earning recognition for her work in the process. Her painting, “On the Way to Class,” spent several months hanging in Brompton, home to UMW President Troy Paino and wife Kelly. The piece also graces the cover of the 2023-24 Fiscal Year Endowment Report, recently published by the Office of University Advancement and the UMW Foundation.

Trenchard was also selected from over 600 professional artists from New Jersey to South Carolina to have her work displayed in the Mid-Atlantic New Painting Biennial exhibit. The oil painting of her husband, “Terry,” and more than 70 other works – including those by Mary Washington alumni Heidi Reszies ’86, Emma Knight ’92 and Jasper Drilling ’22 – were on view in the UMW Galleries throughout much of the fall semester.

“I didn’t realize the caliber of artists who were considered, so I was really surprised to find out I was the only current UMW student with a painting in the show,” Trenchard said. “It was such an incredible honor.” Read more at Giving.umw.edu.