UMW Fall Open Houses Highlight Honors Program and STEM Opportunities

The next two fall Open Houses at the University of Mary Washington offer high school students additional access and insights into the prestigious Honors Program and STEM fields available to undergraduates. Visit campus on Saturday, October 18, or Saturday, November 8, to get a firsthand look at UMW’s nationally recognized academic programs, experience campus life and see Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the peak fall season.

The October 18 Open House is ideal for students interested in the Honors Program, which fosters curiosity, creativity and leadership across disciplines. Attendees will meet honors faculty and students, explore campus, tour residence halls and learn how the program supports high-achieving students through research, mentorship, and community engagement.

The November 8 Open House coincides with National STEM/STEAM Day and will showcase UMW’s innovative programs in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Highlights include:

• The Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows program, which provides select students with hands-on research opportunities and funding, along with faculty mentorship in STEM fields.
• The College of Education’s Makerspace, a collaborative hub for robotics, coding and creative problem-solving.
• The College of Business, where students integrate business, economics, mathematics and computer science into coursework focused on accounting, data analytics, financial modeling and digital strategy.
• The School of the Arts, which brings together studio art, historic preservation, music and theatre, through significant programming, community outreach and specialized instruction.

The College of Education Makerspace, located in Seacobeck Hall, is a collaborative environment designed to foster creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning, tailored specifically for future educators and students in related fields.

Adapted from a pedagogy trademarked by the National Collegiate Honors Council, City as Text is open to Honors students at the University of Mary Washington. The opportunity offers a chance to get to know Fredericksburg more richly and to grow familiar with the Honors cohort.

UMW’s College of Business empowers students, advances knowledge and serves society by integrating excellence in teaching, scholarship and community engagement through innovative and student-centered experiences.

“These kinds of immersive and interdisciplinary experiences, where students combine sciences and arts, explore what they want to do and learn how to do it, are exemplary of a University of Mary Washington undergraduate education,” said Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President Melissa Yakabouski. “As one of Virginia’s premier public universities, UMW provides hands-on learning and research opportunities – from the Honors Program to STEM initiatives – that prepare students for real-world impact. Here students can immerse themselves in their studies, work side-by-side with faculty on research projects and prepare for life after Mary Washington through internships and study abroad.”

Registration for open houses is available now, and a dedicated UMW admissions webpage with information on tuition, financial aid, career planning and deadlines is updated year-round. Staff are also available at (540) 654-2000 or admit@umw.edu to answer questions, with FAQs provided on a parents and families webpage.