Community & Belonging
Welcome to the Office of Access, Belonging, and Community Engagement (ABCE)
The College of Science at George Mason University is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (AJEDI) throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes Anti-Racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy to an academic community. Diversity is a source of innovation, energy, and growth. By adopting an AJEDI mindset that prioritizes inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of students, faculty, and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.
What is AJEDI?
Giving equitable access to opportunities and resources to everyone, regardless of human identity, ability, and experience.
Justice prompts us to keep at the forefront of our minds, and in all that we do, the systemic barriers to access, equity, diversity, and inclusion for the purpose of transforming our environments by trying to eliminate these barriers.
Equity is ensuring that resources and opportunities are allocated in a way where everyone has exactly what they need, in spite of systemic barriers in place. While the distribution of the resources may be disproportionate, the results are equal.
The measurement of differential characteristics (race, gender, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, age, social economic status, etc.) across individuals within a group, on which they experience systemic advantages or barriers to opportunities and resources.
Behaviors that result in feelings of belonging, psychological safety, and showing up as your authentic self.
AJEDI Graduate Program Application Fee Waiver
Mason Science is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (AJEDI) throughout our STEM community. To achieve this mission, Mason Science has created the AJEDI Graduate Program Application Fee Waiver. For eligibility, you must meet at least one of the criteria listed.
Community Engagement
Brandi Williams accepted into Yale's Environmental Fellows Program
Brandi Williams, PhD Candidate, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was accepted into the Environmental Fellows Program (EFP) at Yale University's School of the Environment. The EFP provides a paid, 12-week internship at the interface of environmental science and one or more of the following social justice, media, government, etc.
NADOHE awards Mason with Institutional Excellence Award
Last month, at their annual conference, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) awarded George Mason University an Institutional Excellence Award. According to NADOHE, the Institutional Excellence Award is presented to institutions that have demonstrated measurable progress in promoting and sustaining innovative diversity efforts within their campus community.
