George Mason University Launches New Scholarship
George Mason University’s Early Identification Program (EIP), a college-prep program for first-generation students, received $10,000 from the Women’s Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund (WCGFSF) to establish a scholarship in the club’s name.
“The Early Identification Program is incredibly grateful for the gift we’ve received from the Women’s Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund,” said Khaseem Davis, director of EIP. “This investment will support EIP alumni enrolling at Mason, ensuring more of our deserving EIP students can pursue their dreams of attending college.”
Established in 1987, EIP’s mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and intellect to become lifelong learners, leaders, and responsible global citizens. The program provides educational resources to middle and high school students in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Alexandria City, Arlington County, Falls Church City, Manassas City, and Manassas Park schools.
Students can participate in eight program components—Academic Mentoring Program, STEM Fusion, Strengthening the Family, Summer Academy, First2Lead: Leadership Academy, EIP Preparatory, First 2 Conserve, and College Transitions. The program provides year-round academic enrichment and opportunities for personal and social development, civic engagement, and leadership training.
EIP currently has more than 750 students actively pursuing higher education because of generous funding from its corporate alliances, individual donors, and its partnership with seven Northern Virginia public school systems. The program boasts more than 2,000 graduates.
Sally Anne Andrew Pyne, president of the WCGFSF, explained that the club identified EIP as the first focus of a revamped scholarship fundraising effort.
“It was clear that for the [club’s] Scholarship Fund to grow, a new vision, mission, and strategic plan needed to be created to shape the future, which would energize the organization to new heights of success,” she said.
“[EIP’s] focus on shaping the younger middle school students into becoming first-generation college students was the differentiator for us,” noted Jackie Harding, director of fundraising for WCGFSF. “This program allows us to come full circle. We have spent 40 years supporting women and nontraditional students, and supporting younger students at the start of their journey seemed like the perfect step.”
The scholarship recipient will be selected this spring when the newest cohort of EIP scholars attending Mason is chosen.
The Women’s Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund was established in 1982, when the organization recognized a need to provide financial assistance to students pursuing degrees in higher education. Scholarships are awarded to students who reside in Northern Virginia and attend George Mason University or the ADVANCE Program, Mason’s partnership with Northern Virginia Community College that provides a seamless transfer pathway to a four-year degree.
The WCGFSF has three endowed scholarships at Mason—a general endowment, the Doris Fisher Irwin Endowment (ADVANCE) and the Holly Ann Kuga Endowment.
“We are excited to have the Women’s Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund as partners. Their dedication to access and student success is to be admired,” said Davis. “We look forward to fostering a great relationship with this dynamic and impactful organization.”