The annual celebration of ASPIRE Week is on the spring agenda at the University of Mary Washington, where student-led activities embracing and exemplifying community values span six days starting April 14, 2025. Each day focuses on a value within ASPIRE, an acronym for Accountability, Scholarship, Personal and Institutional Integrity, Inclusive Excellence, Respect and Engagement.
The weeklong celebration first convened in 2023, led by then UMW Student Government Association President Jaylyn Long ’24. Since then, SGA members and senators have participated in key events. This year the committee chair, Amira Said ’26, is senate vice president.
“Coordinating this year’s ASPIRE Week has been an incredible experience due to the amazing leader that passed it on to me. This year, I really focused on integrating every part of our campus community into the week, and with our committee’s work, we’ve achieved a full schedule showcasing all that UMW has to offer,” noted Said.
This 2025 ASPIRE Week kicks off Monday, April 14, with a theme of accountability, showcasing student resources such as the Honor Council, Student Conduct and Responsibility, and Eagles in Recovery through an afternoon Well-Being Resource Fair, with training opportunities. UMW’s Office of Police and Public Safety will host “Dunk a Cop,” and the evening highlight will be a civil discourse dinner, facilitating thoughtful discussion while sharing a meal.
Tuesday focuses on scholarship and starts at noon with the Majors Fair and academic department open houses. Fredericksburg-area alumni are invited to campus to share their advice, with a dinner and dessert that offer the opportunity for networking. The evening concludes with a weekly campus tradition of Bingo.
Wednesday’s emphasis on personal and institutional integrity includes a student resource and consulting fair, featuring the Center for Career and Professional Development, Honor Council and Office of Sustainability. The Center for Prevention and Education will partner with Student Activities and Engagement for a “crafternoon,” and the evening activity on Ball Circle brings in trivia from the Speaking and Writing Center and concludes with karaoke.
Thursday’s theme of inclusive excellence brings together another collection of campus resources highlighting student organizations, and the celebration extends into the evening with the annual Eagle Awards and inauguration for the Student Government Association and elected student leaders, followed by a campus showcase.
Friday focuses on empathy in action, full of field games, rock painting and club sports, with an evening event hosted by Residence Life and Housing, all centered around the theme of respect. UMW also hosts an Open House for prospective students and families on Friday, April 18.
For the weekend, students can “Engage with the Earth,” an activity that includes environmentally beneficial service projects and is sponsored by the Office of Community Outreach and Resources (COAR), and engage in Olympic Day for some collegial competition.
For more information on each event, visit the Student Activities and Engagement Calendar of Events.
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