George Mason University

New Century College offers one of the most innovative, unique and exciting educational opportunities within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. New Century College or NCC offers students an integrated curriculum through interdisciplinary course work that stresses hands-on learning and the application of knowledge to practical situations. The program allows students and their advisor to design individualized programs based around several concentrations that range from advertising to conservation science. It is this unique relationship that NCC students have with their faculty that carries over when they become alumni.

When asked what makes NCC so special, Mariam Hutchinson, the Alumni Chapter President said it best, “The faculty, the students, the competencies, the experimental learning and the entire first-year experience. The relationships that you form with peers, faculty and the Mason community are what make NCC a very special program.”

The alumni of New Century College have gone on to work in various fields, which include Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, law, education, and some have even started their own businesses; yet they have not lost that special place in their hearts for NCC.

It is this bond that encouraged the NCC Alumni Chapter to establish the Student Excellence in Learning Fund. This is an endowed scholarship fund that was established to specifically benefit an NCC student in good academic standing with financial need. The scholarship is not limited to tuition costs but can also be applied to study abroad or alternate spring break opportunities.

The Alumni Chapter felt that it was their duty to support future generations of NCC students, especially those in financial need so they could take advantage of all of the learning opportunities available to NCC students. This in turn makes for more involved and devoted alumni for NCC and George Mason University. “Supporting NCC means supporting everything the program stands for…our future workforce and our future leaders. It means supporting the highest quality of education,” Hutchinson states. By making this an endowed scholarship, the NCC Alumni Chapter has insured that this gift will be available to future NCC students because as the principal grows, so does the capability of the scholarship.

Hutchinson would like NCC alumni to continue to support the scholarship. Her message is valid for all Mason alumni - “Contributing to the Fund for Student Excellence in Learning will provide scholarships to NCC students, and contributing to the University's endowment will also help Mason acquire the best professors, build the most advanced buildings and admit the most attractive candidates. We all agree that Mason, and therefore, New Century College, cannot move forward without the participation and influence of its loyal Alumni.”

Since the scholarship has been established several alumni have decided to give-back to NCC – and encourage all alumni to support Mason in some way. “…it is a powerful way of showing how much their Mason education meant to them. Financial support for a young university like Mason is a necessity for promoting growth…,” says Erin Levi – a 2002 graduate of NCC.

New Century College has over 1200 alumni – and they like to think of themselves as a group of extended family members. The older alumni mentor the younger alumni and students, because they understand the challenges students and younger alumni face. “I wish there was a group of alumni I could have turned to for career advice. It is nice to know that there is a group of people that have shared the same experiences. Our unique education is a powerful connection,” says Hutchinson.

If you are interested in knowing more about the NCC Alumni Chapter and upcoming events, visit the chapter website at ncc.gmu.edu/alumni.