George Mason launches its inaugural ACCESS Academy cohort

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at George Mason University is excited to welcome the inaugural class of students for their Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy.

Developed in partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), ACCESS Academy is a lab school designed to reimagine how students prepare for college, careers, and civic life in a rapidly evolving world. The program will particularly support students who may not have previously expected to follow a college pathway—those navigating limited exposure to higher education or career pathways, relevant information, or professional networks.

“ACCESS Academy reflects a commitment to transforming how we think about readiness—not just for college or careers, but for life in a complex, interconnected society,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of CEHD. “By aligning K–12, higher education, and industry partners, we’re creating more coherent and responsive pathways that honor learners’ potential while addressing workforce and societal needs.”

ACCESS Academy students will work toward high school graduation requirements while engaging in real-world problem-solving situations informed by industry partners. They will develop future-ready skills, including critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability, while building the mindsets and capacities required to navigate dynamic and evolving work environments.

"With the launch of ACCESS Academy, we’re not just starting a new program, we’re opening doors to new possibilities for dual enrolled students and reimagining what learning could look like. This inaugural class is stepping into a bold, future-focused initiative designed to empower students not only to succeed in high school, but to lead in college, career and beyond,” said Eun-Woo Chang, NOVA vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer.

As a preview of ACCESS Academy’s learning model, students from across Northern Virginia are participating in the ACCESS Academy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summer Camp at Mason Square in Arlington. This one-week program introduces foundational concepts in machine learning through engaging hands-on projects guided by problem-based learning strategies.

“The level of interest in the ACCESS Academy AI Summer Camp has been both affirming and encouraging,” said Roberto Pamas, director of ACCESS Academy. “With three week-long sessions accommodating a total of 180 students, the camp presents an early

opportunity for students to engage with foundational concepts in machine learning while offering a preview of ACCESS Academy’s broader approach to experiential education.”

ACCESS Academy’s curriculum is shaped by collaboration among faculty in CEHD and the Department of Information Sciences and Technology at the College of Engineering and Computing, with input from NOVA, LCPS, and industry partners who make up the ACCESS Academy Curriculum Innovation Advisory Board. This collaborative approach is designed to ensure alignment with evolving workforce needs while streamlining coursework. 

“The insights shared through our collaboration with the advisory board have been invaluable,” said Guerra-López. “They help ensure that ACCESS Academy remains grounded in what will best prepare our graduates to be competitive and confident in the modern workforce, even if that requires reimagining traditional educational pathways and practices.” 

“ACCESS Academy is more than a program—it’s a launchpad. By combining academic rigor with real-world relevance, we’re empowering students to graduate with the skills, experiences, and credentials needed to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce,” said LCPS Chief Academic Officer Ashley Ellis.  

ACCESS Academy is positioned for expansion through the formation of a regional consortium that could include new partnerships with school divisions across Virginia’s Region 4 to scale the model for other high-demand fields such as education and health care.