Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. That is why George Mason reaches beyond its campuses to help young people explore their interests, strengthen academic skills, and imagine where those abilities might take them.
Through the Mason Game and Technology Academy, students ages 11 to 18 can study subjects including Python programming, animation, game design, and digital art. Mason Math Odyssey helps middle school students encounter mathematics through practical problems, collaboration, and discovery. The Early Identification Program provides academic preparation, college and career exposure, and, for some participants, the opportunity to earn college credit.
The programs differ in subject and format, but they share an important purpose. Each gives students a place to test themselves, receive encouragement, and learn from teachers and mentors who can help make unfamiliar possibilities feel attainable. George Mason students and alumni also return to teach and mentor, extending the impact from one generation to the next.
This work reflects a central ambition of Mason Now: widening the paths that lead to higher education and helping students succeed once they arrive. Investments in scholarships, academic enrichment, mentorship, faculty, and community partnerships can help George Mason reach more young people and reduce the barriers that keep talent from becoming opportunity.
A campaign for the future must begin before college does. By creating early experiences that build skill, confidence, and a sense of belonging, George Mason is helping more students see that the next chapter of their education can include them.
Evidence of impact
- Approximately 1,000 students participated in Early Identification Program summer experiences in 2026.
- EIP has provided educational opportunity and college exposure for 40 years.
- Programs combine hands-on learning with mentorship from George Mason faculty, students, alumni, and experienced educators.