Dear UMW Community,
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating winter break. The new year has come quickly and many wonderful positive opportunities await us. And, a special greeting to our newest UMW faculty, staff, and students. We are excited to welcome you into our UMW family and look forward to meeting you throughout the semester!
January marks the beginning of a semester full of significant cultural events and programming, beloved traditions, and more, from the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series now in its 22nd year of exploring the distinctive lives and achievements of remarkable people, to the ongoing James Farmer Multicultural Center Cultural Awareness Series promoting cohesiveness, understanding, and empathy in the world in which we live. I encourage you to attend these unique learning opportunities throughout the semester.
The beginning of this semester is an ideal time for students to meet with academic advisors and mentors to explore the many, varied course offerings and learning experiences available, such as internships, experiential learning opportunities, study abroad programs, research projects, etc. The Student Employment Fair is coming up on January 23 at 2 p.m. in the Gourley Living Room of the Cedric Rucker University Center and registration is now open in Handshake for the Feb. 11 Career & Internship Fair. And, throughout the semester, I encourage you to lean on the variety of resources available, including the Talley Center for Counseling Services, TimelyCare, a free, 24/7 service for students to obtain virtual care services, the Gwen Hale Resource Center, providing food, clothing, school supplies, etc., the Speaking and Writing Center, the Digital Knowledge Center, and Employee Assistance Programs, among a host of other resources.
It’s also a wonderful time to discover or hone special interests and skills in the areas of campus recreation, fine arts, student employment, wellness, performing arts, athletics, and more. As a reminder, fitness classes are free this first week of classes, and UMW Athletics home games are also free. See the schedule online, and join me in cheering on the Eagles, on the basketball court, on the track and field, and in the newly renovated pool, now open again in Goolrick.
The February 1st regular decision priority filing date for admission to UMW is just around the corner. You are welcome to Refer an Eagle using code “UMWFAM,” offering prospective students a free application via the Common App. In addition, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Pell-eligible Virginia students may qualify for full undergraduate tuition funding, providing options for more students to have access to a high-quality, affordable college experience. Find out more information about UMW’s Tuition Promise here. And, if you have siblings or friends in high school who would like to experience UMW first-hand this summer, the Summer Enrichment Program is open for applications from rising 10th thru 12th graders.
Finally, please join me in reflecting on our ASPIRE community values and utilizing them as a guide in supporting one another, in establishing and pursuing your professional and personal goals, and in making a difference in our wonderful community. I look forward to seeing you in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and on campus this semester.
Sincerely,
Troy Paino
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