About the Center for Student Transition, Access, & Retention Services (STARS)
Our Mission
“To provide engaging and inclusive services, resources, and opportunities that welcome an support historically underrepresented students during their collegiate journey at the University of Mary Washington”.
About STARS
The University of Mary Washington is excited to welcome a growth in enrollment of first-generation, Pell-eligible, and other historically underrepresented students. In response, the establishment of the Center for Student Transition, Access, & Retention Services in Fall 2024 will extend the university’s reach for providing direct programming and services focused on advocacy and support to strengthen belonging and the success of first-generation, Pell-eligible, and geographically diverse students throughout their entire experience at UMW.
Through STARS, UMW will be better suited to support a greater number of historically underrepresented students through:
- Increased capacity of the Student Transition Program (STP)
- Pre-arrival financial counseling and ongoing support from a full-time, student-focused financial counselor
- Increased financial support for students with financial need (Pell tuition promise, emergency assistance microgrant funding)
- Bolstered First-in-Family programming and services