Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)

It was an epiphany of sorts, in the most unlikely time and place, but it changed the course of George Mason University veteran Abidail “Abi” Estrada’s life—and the many lives he’s touched since.

Why would a Marine Corps major come to the Schar School to earn a Master of Public Policy degree? For Major Anthony Matacotta, he believes it will make him “a better-informed citizen, able to effectively participate in government.”

George Mason University was recently recognized as a member of the Northern Virginia team that earned one of the four national Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards for 2024 from the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).

George Mason's Board of Visitors discussed the potential for a dedicated university center devoted to expanding academic programs and supports for former or current servicemembers and their families.

George Mason University’s commitment to the military community was officially recognized with a top designation as a 2024-25 Gold Military Friendly® School in the latest Military Friendly listings.

Nearly 100 student representatives and 20 advisors from 13 Fairfax County public high schools gathered on Mason’s Fairfax Campus in June for a day of workshops and team-building activities to support the peer-led student ambassadors program.

Jennifer Connors, director of Mason's Office of Military Services, is the first recipient of the Admiral John Harvey Career Achievement in Military Education Excellence Award, which was presented by the Virginia Department of Veteran Services in September.

Mason doctoral students LeNaya Crandall Hezel and Lt. Col. Michelle Ruehl are part of the 2021 class of Tillman Scholars, named in honor of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 while serving with the U.S. Army Rangers.

About 4,000 of our students have a military affiliation through dependency, service or a spouse.

George Mason University has been named a military friendly institution by Viqtory, Military Friendly for the 10th year, an important distinction for a university committed to veterans and other nontraditional students.