December 23, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Governor Appoints Three New Members to UMW Board of Visitors

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The Virginia Governor’s Office announced last week the appointment of three new members of the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors. John Anstey of Roanoke, Virginia, a 1993 Mary Washington alumnus; Nicole Neily of Arlington, Virginia; and Rev. Dean Nelson of Montgomery Village, Maryland, will serve four-year terms as members of the University’s governing board. They succeed Heather Crislip ’95, Deborah Santiago ’90 and Kerri Barile ’94, whose terms ended on June 30, 2023. Read more.

Mary Washington Grads Receive 2023 Alumni Awards at Reunion Weekend

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Four alumni received Alumni Awards at 2023's Reunion Weekend. From left: Janet Hedrick '73, Brent Turner Monseur '09, Beth Craig '77, Sean Simons '13 and UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.
Four alumni received Alumni Awards at 2023’s Reunion Weekend. From left: Janet Hedrick ’73, Brent Turner Monseur ’09, Beth Craig ’77, Sean Simons ’13 and UMW President Troy Paino. Photo by Karen Pearlman Photography.

As a University of Mary Washington student, Sean Simons ’13 spent two years working in the Office of the President on campus, where he got to know countless alumni who supported him on his journey to become one of the youngest congressional aides on Capitol Hill.

“I made a pledge that I’d someday return the favor and give back to the University that gave me so much,” said Simons, who went on to shape former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s gun violence prevention organization. Read more. 

 

Business Acumen Series Offered by UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies

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Business session
Associate Provost for Career and Workforce Kimberly Young leads a conversation during the first UMW Business Acumen Series, “Meetings that Work,” held at the UMW Stafford Campus, University Hall.

Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Mary Washington has launched a series of seminars for local businesses and professionals to invest in developing their leadership skills over six months.

The Business Acumen Series will consist of mostly monthly one-day seminars for regional businesses and organizations. Each scheduled event will cover a business acumen or leadership-related topic, such as negotiating solutions, building a culture of innovation, and skills for the adaptive leader. Read more. 

UMW Finishes 40th Among 432 Division III Schools in Final Learfield Directors Cup Standings

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The University of Mary Washington athletic department finished 40th among 432 NCAA Division III schools in the final Learfield Director’s Cup standings for the 2022-23 year. The finish is the Eagles’ highest since 2009-10, when they finished 39th, and is the program’s eighth-highest finish since the program began in 1995-96. UMW accumulated 453 points this year. Read more. 

UMW Initiative Puts Student-Athletes’ Mental and Physical Health on Same Playing Field

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A new UMW initiative, Eagles Let’s Talk, offers support, education and conversation to support student-athletes’ mental health.

A new UMW initiative, Eagles Let’s Talk, offers support, education and conversation to support student-athletes’ mental health.

When student-athletes sign up to compete at the collegiate level, they have a goal – to play the game and win. All too often, mental health takes a back seat. That’s where Eagles Let’s Talk comes in. 

The program aims to help the University of Mary Washington’s more than 525 student-athletes – from soccer and lacrosse players to swimmers and equestrians – identify and discuss stressors that could affect their performance in the classroom or on the field. Spearheaded by UMW Assistant Athletic Trainer Katie Carnaghi, the initiative lays out a full game plan, with monthly meetings, timely topics like nutrition and stress management, and most of all, a safe space for sharing concerns and conversation. 

“It really does make such a difference to have an open and safe environment that allows people to feel comfortable to talk about the tough stuff,” said senior Krista Rogers, a volleyball player and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) member who helped get Eagles Let’s Talk off the ground. Read more.

SCHEV’s Day of Dialogue Held at UMW

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SCHEV’s Senior Associate for Assessment Policy and Analysis Jodi Fisler tells the group, “Civic engagement is complex. There are so many dimensions to it, and moving pieces." (Sam Cahill photo)

SCHEV’s Senior Associate for Assessment Policy and Analysis Jodi Fisler tells the group, “Civic engagement is complex. There are so many dimensions to it, and moving pieces.” (Sam Cahill photo)

University of Mary Washington has a long commitment to community and civic engagement, encouraging students to get involved in the broader community through service, volunteerism, community-engaged classes, and civic learning. In fact, civic engagement is a leading goal in UMW’s strategic vision and a realization of the public purpose on our mission. A statewide conversation brought these topics to the forefront on June 5, 2023, as the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) hosted the “Day of Dialogue” at Mary Washington.

“We appreciate the work that each and every one of you do,” said UMW President Troy D. Paino. “Civic learning and student engagement are where our schools live their public purpose, while offering our students a chance to explore what gives their lives meaning and purpose.”

The annual event, just in its second year, brought together some 75 higher education leaders to share ideas.  The goal was to explore best practices for community and civic engagement, including ways to foster respectful dialogue on campus. Participants also explored issues related to evaluating civic engagement and strategies for engaging students in this important work. Read more.