Honors College Connects

Honors College Connects is a collaboration between George Mason University's Honors College and Leadership Fairfax. Each September, Honors College students apply for an opportunity to join a small, multi-disciplinary team. The team then plans, organizes, and executes a 6-month project that benefits a local community organization and its stakeholders. Honors College Connects cultivates leadership, research and professionalism in Honors College students. 

Student teams are advised and supported by Mason Honors College faculty and Leadership Fairfax alumni. The program culminates each year in early spring with a presentation to the local community. This unique partnership cultivates future leaders by providing them an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills through experiential learning while exercising their passion for community engagement.

“I want to emphasize to you the importance of this team and this project to the Foundation. We were so impressed with their dedication and output that it has affected the Board in a very positive way. At the same time the students were working on a Fund Raising Plan, we were working on a Marketing Plan and now we are ready to put those together at our next meeting. None of this would have been possible without the engagement of this team. Seldom have I ever worked with a team that has accomplished more than they have.”

- Peter Clark, President, Northern Virginia Mental Health Foundation

COMPLETED PROJECTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HONORS COLLEGE

2018-2019

The Arc of Northern Virginia

Communities in Schools of Northern Virginia

Fairfax Bar Association

Fellowship Square Foundation

INOVA Fairfax FACT

2017-2018

Cornerstones
Friends of Reston
Giving Circle of Hope
MVLE, Inc.
Southgate
Touching Heart

2016-2017

Fairfax County Parks Authority
OAR of Fairfax
Volunteer Fairfax
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

2015-2016

Clean Fairfax
Empowered Women International
Langley Residential Support Services
MVLE, Inc.

2014-2015

Arts Council of Fairfax County
Computer CORE
Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services
The Women's Center

2013-2014

Brain Injury Services
James Mott Community Assistance Program
Leadership Fairfax
Northern Virginia Mental Health Foundation

2012-2013

Computer CORE
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
HomeAid Northern Virginia
UCM

2011-2012

Homestretch, Inc.
New Hope Housing, Inc

2010-2011

Langley Residential Support Services
Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVCR)
Reston Drop in Center

2009-2010

Leadership Fairfax