For many high school students, choosing a college begins with a visit. Walking through a residence hall, sitting in a classroom and imagining life on campus can provide the kind of experience that brochures and websites can’t.

University of Mary Washington’s Enhanced Summer Visits – scheduled for Monday, July 13, and Friday, July 24 – offer a deeper dive into the college search and admission process. Attendees will receive campus tours led by current students, unique information sessions, financial aid details and the opportunity to connect one-on-one with Mary Washington’s academic leaders, department heads and deans.

“Students often tell us that visiting campus helps them picture what their college experience could look like,” said Director of First-Year Admission Sarah Lindberg. “Our Enhanced Summer Visits give families additional time to ask questions, learn more about specific academic programs, explore financial aid resources and connect directly with the people who help shape the student experience.”

Designed for families that want a more comprehensive introduction to UMW, the specialized visits offer a chance to explore academic spaces more closely. Attendees will discover science labs that support undergraduate research, gallery and theatrical spaces that nurture artistic talents, business facilities that encourage entrepreneurship and the recently renovated home of UMW’s education programs. Families are also given time to learn about opportunities outside the classroom, including internships, study abroad programs, community engagement, athletics and more than 150 student clubs and organizations. Interested prospective students and families can register for one of the 2026 Enhanced Summer Visits on UMW’s Summer Visits webpage.

Read more about UMW’s Enhanced Summer Visits.

In collaboration with the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP), the University of Mary Washington hosted a recent celebration recognizing the region’s 2026 top interns and the employers who hire them.

Hosted by UMW Career and Workforce on the Fredericksburg campus, the evening event brought together employers, students, faculty and regional partners to celebrate the organizations and students who are shaping the future of regional talent.

University of Mary Washington Associate Provost for Career and Workforce Kimberly Young, along with Director of Regional Partnerships Devin Fedor, welcomed guests, emphasizing the importance of strong regional partnerships in expanding meaningful work-based learning opportunities. And several UMW leaders and external organizations were recognized.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) named UMW to its 2026 Top Virginia Employers for Interns list in April, and four Mary Washington students were honored as top interns: Matthew Clinton, Miranda Herd, MacKenzie Martin and Sarah Moon. Their recognition highlights UMW’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning and student career readiness. Nicole Burgess of Germanna Community College was also recognized as a top intern.

This year’s top employers for interns in GO Virginia Region 6 also includes Cyber Bytes Foundation, F45 Training Stafford, VA Fredericksburg Technology, Matern Staffing, Natural Scentiments, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, REIGN the Venue, SimVentions Inc. and the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce.

Dedicated to strengthening connections between higher education and the regional workforce, UMW’s Career and Workforce Division fosters meaningful conversations between faculty, students, employers and industry stakeholders. That vision was evident throughout the evening as top employers and top interns connected, shared experiences and built relationships.

This celebration aligns with broader statewide priorities emphasized by SCHEV to expand high-quality internship and work-based learning opportunities for students. UMW’s role as host reflects its aim to serve as a convener and partner in advancing regional talent development.

As the University looks ahead to Virginia Intern Day on July 30, UMW is proud to celebrate the students, employers and partners who are making a lasting impact through experiential learning and collaboration.

The University of Mary Washington has opened enrollment for a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business (MS in AI in Business), an innovative graduate program designed to prepare professionals for a rapidly evolving, AI-driven economy.

The graduate degree is the first of its kind in Virginia to focus specifically on artificial intelligence in a business context, combining advanced AI technologies with the strategic, ethical and leadership skills needed to translate those tools into real-world organizational impact.

“The MS in AI in Business is designed to equip students with the knowledge and applied skills to integrate AI technologies into organizational strategy, operations and innovation. Coursework will emphasize practical applications of machine learning, data analytics and ethical AI, preparing graduates to lead in a wide range of industries, including finance, marketing, healthcare and consulting,” said UMW Provost Tim O’Donnell. “Artificial intelligence is transforming how organizations operate, compete and serve their communities. This degree will prepare graduates to lead in this field.”

Designed for both working professionals and recent graduates, the program is offered 100% online in an asynchronous format, allowing students across Virginia and beyond to balance graduate study with professional and personal commitments. Read more about UMW’s Master’s Degree in AI in Business.

With a solid foundation in finance, marketing and management, University of Mary Washington business graduates go on to careers in executive leadership, entrepreneurship and public service.

At the annual College of Business Alumni Awards – held in Woodard Hall during Reunion Weekend – Mary Washington honored grads who have excelled in their professions, from founding supportive online communities and leading public health initiatives to holding key positions at organizations such as Google, McDonald’s and Hilton.

The awards recognized alumni at various stages of their careers, including a Hall of Fame inductee, three Distinguished Business Award recipients and four Outstanding Young Alumni Award winners.

UMW Provost Tim O’Donnell offered introductory remarks, recognizing what he called “the very best” of Mary Washington’s business graduates. Megan Shepherd ’94, chair of the College of Business Advisory Board, served as master of ceremonies and noted that the achievements and community impact of this year’s honorees were “truly inspiring.” Read more about College of Business Alumni Achievement.

More than 550 alumni and their families and friends are expected to return to the University of Mary Washington for the 2026 Reunion Weekend, May 29 to 31. The event specifically honors classes ending in 1 and 6, but all Eagles are invited to reunite, reminisce and rediscover what they love about Mary Washington.

“Many of us have not seen each other for years, but when we do, we pick right up where we left off,” said Margo Clifford, who joined Elliott for the first time to volunteer her time and talents on the Reunion Weekend planning committee. “We’ve enjoyed sharing our stories about Mary Washington and our deep love for this place.” Read more about 2026 Reunion Weekend.

The UMW Athletic Department is proud to announce this year’s Hall of Fame induction class.

Our 29^th class of inductees:

• 4-time National Champion swimmer Alex Anderson ’15
• Men’s Lacrosse All-American Luke Dick ’14
• Field Hockey All-American Jen Freed ’92
• Record-setting Women’s Basketball standouts Jenna McRae ’12 and Katie Wimmer ’12
• NCAA Sweet Sixteen 1991 Volleyball team
  

Read more details about each inductee here.

The induction and celebration will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Cedric Rucker University Center on campus. Social hour will begin at 3:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 4:30 p.m. In addition to the ceremony, your ticket includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.

Join us as we celebrate these UMW standouts! To register, click the button at the top of this page.

Inductees: If you are an Inductee, please contact Clint Often at coften@umw.edu or (540) 654-1743 to register yourself and a guest. Do not use this form to register.

Recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s top schools for theatre, the department’s 2026–27 season is set to feature four new productions that span comedy, mystery, musical theatre and drama, showcasing the work of student performers, designers, technicians and directors.

Upcoming 2026–27 Season

• The 39 Steps — Sept. 17–27, 2026
• Dear Evan Hansen — Nov. 5–22, 2026 
• Eureka Day — Feb. 4–14, 2027
• The Children’s Hour — April 8–18, 2027 

The fall season begins in September with The 39 Steps, a fast-paced adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock classic that blends suspense with comedy. In November, audiences can experience Dear Evan Hansen, a Tony Award-winning musical that explores connection, identity and belonging in a digital world.

The spring semester kicks off with Eureka Day, Jonathan Spector’s contemporary comedy about community decision-making and public health before concluding with The Children’s Hour, Lillian Hellman’s landmark drama examining the consequences of rumor and misinformation.

All productions will be staged in Klein Theatre, with Pay-What-You-Can preview performances and post-show AfterWords discussions scheduled throughout the season. Additional ticket and season pass information will be available from UMW Theatre in the coming months. Learn more about the Department of Theatre and Dance and the 2026-27 season.

 

When University of Mary Washington College of Arts and Sciences Dean Keith Mellinger first visited Europe nearly 25 years ago, he found himself in a restaurant in Rome, off the beaten path, eating an eggplant dish he’d never heard of before.

“I didn’t even know that I had ordered it, but it was absolutely amazing,” Mellinger said of the meal that opened his eyes to tasting unfamiliar foods during his travels. He recalled a recent trip to Bilbao, Spain, with UMW Center for International Education Director Jose Sainz, where they enjoyed pintxos – small snacks, often held together by skewers – that are popular in the Basque region. “Again, such amazing food!”

That willingness to explore new culinary experiences and food traditions is what inspired the University to introduce “World on a Plate: A Journey Through Global Cuisines,” an online course that will be held during the summer session starting June 22. Classes will examine food as cultural text – covering topics like migration, colonialism, sustainability and celebrations – through scholarly readings, public lectures and live cooking demonstrations over Zoom. Read more about ‘World on a Plate.’