Mason, PVCC make ADVANCE partnership official

Janette Muir, Mason's vice provost for academic affairs (left), and Jean Runyon, president of Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC), formalized the ADVANCE Academic Pathway partnership between the institutions that expanded the Mason Virginia Promise further into the state.

Started in 2018, the ADVANCE Program is a partnership between Mason and Northern Virginia Community College to provide students with streamlined pathways, designed to save time and money, toward getting a bachelor's degree. Now ADVANCE has been extended to Germanna, Tidewater, and Piedmont Virginia community colleges in Virginia. 

“This partnership is making pathways possible for our students,” said Runyon at the event. “This is an opportunity for us to really work together to make sure our programs align. So when students leave Piedmont Virginia Community College, they can actually transfer with junior status in their major to George Mason University.”

Eligible community college students who successfully earn their associate’s degree and meet program milestones are guaranteed admission to Mason.