Month: October 2020

In 2016, Mason introduced the Resilience Badge, a co-curricular student offering to help students better understand their resilience. Students learned strategies for enhancing resilience and were encouraged to leverage the skill in all areas of life. Successful completion of the free, in-person program resulted in the student earning a digital credential. Many students completed this boutique program over the years and offered uniformly positive feedback.

With the strong response and an ever-increasing need for resilience, the program was overhauled to make it even more relevant and more interactive. In hopes of bringing this to students who are busy managing academic work alongside countless other responsibilities, the new and improved Resilience Badge launched in September 2020 as a fully asynchronous experience in Blackboard. Students can now complete this at their own pace with no in-person requirements.

Each of the six modules takes approximately one hour to complete and provides opportunities for self-inquiry and skill-building. In addition, students are exposed to the variety of circumstances in which others must engage resilience and the variety of ways to engage. While attention is focused on deepening individual resilience, this is with the much larger goal of benefitting Mason Nation’s community resilience. As before, successful completion results in the student earning a digital credential.

Learn more about the program: wellbeing.gmu.edu/students/resilience-badge

An information session will be offered for students via Zoom on Monday, October 19 from 5-6 p.m. Let your students know about this opportunity!

Katie Clare
Associate Director
Center for the Advancement of Well-Being

*To receive more articles like this straight to your inbox, sign up for the Mason Family Association at masonfamily.gmu.edu/mason-family-association.

 

Every year, as a new group of students and family members prepare to join the Mason community, the Patriot Leaders, hired student leaders within New Student and Family Programs, work hard to prepare and welcome everyone. The Patriot Leaders assist in making new students and their families feel at home here at Mason while sharing a glimpse of the Mason spirit. These students demonstrate leadership qualities both inside and outside the classroom and are passionate about helping students and families acclimate to the college environment. Patriot Leaders spend a lot of time assisting others in their transition to Mason.

Here at Mason, orientation is a university-wide event that brings a variety of offices and academic stakeholders together. Serving as a Patriot Leader allows students the ability to network with individuals from across campus while developing key professional competencies like critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration/communication, and commitment to cultural competence. Through the global pandemic and adapting to Mason’s COVID-19 guidelines this past summer, the Patriot Leader position continued to provide those involved a sense of belonging, a unique and enriching experience, while maintaining an emphasis on career readiness, mainly in the areas of virtual, remote, and electronic work.

New Student and Family Programs is looking for students who fit this description and who are ready to grow professionally while assisting students and families with this important transition to Mason. This position also provides students an opportunity to further their own personal leadership potential and individual growth. To learn more about the role and expectations, the full position description, FAQs, and the application link can be found at greenpolo.gmu.edu. The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m. If you think your student would be a good fit for this role, encourage them to apply! 

#PL2021 #WearThePolo

Joseph Deluna
Assistant Director
New Student and Family Programs

*To receive more articles like this straight to your inbox, sign up for the Mason Family Association at masonfamily.gmu.edu/mason-family-association.

As the university community remains in many virtual spaces, New Student and Family Programs continues to provide families with direct access to offices and information through our virtual family initiatives. Have you engaged with our programming and resources? 

Live Workshops
You are encouraged to turn on your camera, unmute yourself, and talk directly with representatives from various campus offices during our live workshops! Student Involvement, Learning Services, Counseling and Psychological Services are only a few of our upcoming live workshops. Check out the full schedule at masonfamily.gmu.edu/virtual-family-initiatives/live-workshops and be sure to register! 

Peer Support
The Mason Parent and Family Council is made up of parents and family members of current Mason students – just like you! Register at masonfamily.gmu.edu/virtual-family-initiatives/peer-support and join their live sessions to ask questions and gain their perspective on the Mason experience. 

Academic Support
There are several academic resources to support your student’s success. Encourage them to meet with their Academic Advisor or Success Coach at least twice a semester to discuss course load, upcoming classes, and internship opportunities. If your student needs additional support, Learning Services has Peer Academic Coaches and Academic Success Workshops to assist with topics such as stress management, procrastination, and sleep schedules. Visit masonfamily.gmu.edu/virtual-family-initiatives/academic-support to learn more. 

Well-Being
The Well-Being Bulletin, created in partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, is an 8-week initiative that includes tips to support your student’s well-being and online learning. Continue to check masonfamily.gmu.edu/virtual-family-initiatives/well-being over the coming weeks because we are continuing to add content! 

If you have any questions about our virtual family initiatives, contact New Student and Family Programs at families@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2475. 

Samaria Moss
Graduate Assistant of Family Programs
New Student and Family Programs