Undergraduate Learning Supports

In spring and summer of 2025, the Undergraduate Learning Supports Implementation Task Force reviewed previous task force recommendations, met with numerous university stakeholders, received feedback from peer institutions, and generated preliminary recommendations for a new learning supports center. Final recommendations for the structure, governance, and operational framework will be presented for approval later this fall.

George Mason University is committed to ensuring that all undergraduate students have the academic support they need to succeed.

Centralizing learning supports can make them more visible and accessible, allowing more students to take advantage of the resources available to support their success. The Undergraduate Learning Supports Implementation Task Force is reviewing George Mason’s current academic support services to understand how students are getting help and to identify opportunities to expand and enhance those services—ensuring students get support when, where, and how they need it. By meeting students where they are, George Mason can deliver on its commitment to supporting the success of every Patriot. 

Charge

The Undergraduate Learning Supports Implementation Task Force is responsible for strategically enhancing George Mason’s academic support services to better serve students. The task force is charged with developing a comprehensive implementation plan for an Undergraduate Learning Supports Center that:

  • Establishes a student-centric, team-based model for delivering key learning support services
  • Expands accessibility by increasing service hours and offering multiple modalities
  • Proposes a shared governance model that ensures consistency across services while maintaining discipline-specific oversight
  • Defines principles for service inclusion/exclusion within the center
  • Develops a training and supervision framework for near-peer leaders, balancing minimum standards with flexibility for customization by individual services
  • Outlines a comprehensive outcome assessment model applicable to all services
  • Identifies the specific services to be included in the center
  • Defines the space requirements necessary to accommodate selected services
  • Identifies key partners essential for successful implementation

By creating a clear and actionable plan, the task force will position George Mason’s academic support services to be more effective, cohesive, and student focused.

 

Timeline

Spring 2025

The task force convened in spring 2025 to begin outlining the structure and operational framework for an Undergraduate Learning Supports Center, ensuring that George Mason’s academic support services are accessible, student-centered, and well-integrated. Separate working groups were created for structure and operations, training, and assessment, and both the task force and the working groups met multiple times during spring. The work of the task force was shared with the Deans’ Council and Provost’s Council. 

Summer 2025

The task force and the working groups continued to meet throughout the summer. The task force received feedback from 13 peer institutions regarding their student support services and, in addition, traveled to Virginia Commonwealth University to conduct a site visit of its student support center. Meetings were also held with leadership in University Life, Academic Affairs, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Science. The task force then developed a set of preliminary recommendations for the structure, staffing and operations, and governance of a central Learning Supports Center at George Mason.

Fall 2025

With preliminary recommendations developed, the task force leadership will work with the Provost’s Office’s Academic Administration team on finance/budget and will provide estimated costs associated with the proposed plan. 

The final implementation plan will be submitted to the provost in fall 2025.

 

Task Force

Structure

The Undergraduate Learning Supports Implementation Task Force includes leadership from University Life and Undergraduate Education, as well as faculty, staff, and administrators from several academic and learning support units across the university.

Members

  • Co-chair: Sally Lorentson, Assistant Vice President, University Life 

  • Co-chair: Keith Renshaw, Senior Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

  • Amira Al-Khulaidy Stine, Senior Research Associate, Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning 

  • Ryan Braun, Former Director, Undergraduate Academic Success, Undergraduate Education  

  • Shelby Broberg, Director, Communication Center, College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

  • Vicki Dominick, Associate Director, Learning Services, University Life  

  • Jason Dunick, Director of Undergraduate Programs, Economics, College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

  • Brent Gorbutt, Director, Math Tutoring Center, College of Science 

  • Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon, Director of Educational and Career Pathways, College of Science 

  • Anthony Hoefer, Assistant Dean, Honors College  

  • Rebecca Jones, STEM Accelerator, College of Science 

  • Jason Kinser, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (Acting), College of Science 

  • Susan Lawrence, Director, University Writing Center, College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

  • Meg Meiman, Associate University Librarian for Learning, Research, and Engagement  

  • Jill Nelson, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, College of Engineering and Computing 

  • Michael Ouellette, Academic Coordinator, Athletics  

  • Kenneth Strazzeri, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, College of Engineering and Computing 

  • Roger Graham, Transformation Manager, Academic Administration (support) 

 

Engagement

Meetings and Communication

Review preliminary recommendations.

Feedback

Thank you for your interest in this project. Please submit your questions, comments, and ideas using the Undergraduate Learning Supports Implementation Committee feedback form.