Undergraduate Learning Supports

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

Recognizing opportunities to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of learning support services, the Undergraduate Learning Support Task Force was convened in spring 2024 to assess the current landscape of academic support at George Mason. The task force examined existing services, identified best practices from peer institutions, and explored ways to improve visibility, consistency, and integration of support resources. One of the key recommendations made by the task force was to make learning support services more cohesive, accessible, and responsive to student needs. 

Charge

The Undergraduate Learning Supports Implementation Task Force is responsible for strategically enhancing George Mason’s academic support services to better serve students. Building on the recommendations of the Undergraduate Learning Supports Task Force, a comprehensive implementation plan will be developed 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 will convene in spring 2025 to develop an implementation plan with recommendations for the Office of the Provost. The plan will outline the structure, governance, and operational framework for an Undergraduate Learning Supports Center, ensuring that George Mason’s academic support services are accessible, student-centered, and well-integrated. 

Working with the Provost’s Academic Administration team on finance/budget, the task force should also estimate the costs associated with the proposed plan.

Summer/Fall 2025

The final implementation plan will be submitted for leadership review by summer/fall 2025.

 

 

Task Force

Structure

The Office of the Provost is launching the Undergraduate Learning Supports Implementation Task Force, with leadership from its key units: University Life and Undergraduate Education. The task force will be co-chaired by: 

  • Sally Lorentson, Assistant Vice President, University Life 

  • Keith Renshaw, Senior Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education 

Sally and Keith will oversee the task force’s work, ensuring coordination with and input from the following groups: 

  • College/school deans 

  • Graduate Division (Laurence Bray, Senior Associate Provost) 

  • Academic Administration, Office of the Provost (Renate Guilford, Vice Provost) 

  • Mason Student Services Center

Members

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

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

  • Anthony Hoefer, Assistant Dean, Honors College 

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

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

  • Susan Lawrence, Director, University Writing Center, CHSS 

  • Shelby Broberg, Director, Communication Center, CHSS 

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

  • Brent Gorbutt, Director, Math Tutoring Center, COS 

  • Jason Dunick, Director of Undergraduate Programs, Economics, CHSS 

  • Jason Kinser, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (Acting), COS

  • Jill Nelson, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, CEC 

  • Rebecca Jones, STEM Accelerator, COS

  • Kenneth Strazzeri, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, CEC 

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

  • Amira Al-Khulaidy Stine, Senior Research Associate, OIEP 

  • Michael Ouellette, Academic Coordinator, Athletics 

  • Roger Graham, Transformation Manager, Academic Administration 

 

 

Engagement

Meetings and Communication

A charge meeting will kick off spring 2025, which will include a discussion regarding engagement and collaboration efforts. 

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.