George Mason University’s New Century College will be known by its new name, the School of Integrative Studies, beginning May 1.
The name change was approved in late 2015 by George Mason’s Board of Visitors, said Kelly Dunne, the interim associate dean of the college.
The State Council of Higher Education of Virginia approved the change this week.
“Our new name encompasses the full spectrum of what our faculty and students are charged to do: Put their passion to action as they engage with the complex social, global and environmental challenges facing our world,” Dunne said.
The name change comes some two decades after New Century College was created in 1994.
The School of Integrative Studies will remain closely aligned with New Century College’s original mission to provide a robust, liberal arts-based education emphasizing integrative, experiential learning, according to an article on the college’s website.
Integrative means making connections and seeing connections between disciplines, Dunne explained. It also means connecting one’s personal and work life to what is being learned.
“You’re integrating everything you’ve experienced and you are trying to put it into play in a real-world setting,” she said. “We want a name that better defines what we do.”
The new name will also aid in attracting new students. Some potential students saw the name at recruiting events and were confused about the meaning of “New Century,” she added.
Alumni, faculty, staff and the community all took part in the efforts to rename the college, Dunne said.
“As we assume our new title of the School of Integrative Studies, we look forward to continued conversations and learning opportunities with our students, alumni and community partners,” she said. “Our future promises exciting new paths for the school, and we look forward to exploring these new opportunities.”