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Patriot Connect Update–August 2025

Dear Colleague,

Thank you for your interest in the Patriot Connect program! We are excited to share recent updates with you.

Updated Patriot Connect Program Website   

Have you checked out the Patriot Connect program website lately? It’s been updated to reflect the launch of Patriot Connect Release 1: Student Success and the program team’s current focus on preparing for Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions. While updates were made across all pages, highlights include a refreshed Patriot Connect overview video and updates to the About, Timeline, Team, and FAQs pages. With the fall semester starting, we encourage all colleges, schools, departments, programs, and units to review your websites and pages—especially as it relates to Navigate. Since Navigate is no longer available for appointment scheduling as of May 22, any links and references should now point to Patriot Connect (connect.gmu.edu). Keeping student-facing pages consistent and current is key to providing students with the best possible experience.   

Patriot Connect Student Usability Test Recap   

Shortly after the launch of Patriot Connect, the User Experience team within University Life Project and Process Management conducted a Patriot Connect usability test with a first-time user (College of Science undergraduate student) to evaluate how they interacted with the platform. The usability test covered three different scenarios: 1) scheduling an appointment with an assigned academic advisor; 2) scheduling an appointment with an academic coach from Learning Services; and 3) scheduling an appointment with a career counselor. The objective for each scenario was to test key features, observe the user’s behavior and decision-making, and identify both pain points and strengths in the overall user experience. Key highlights from the results include: 

  • Scenario 1: Even though it was the student’s first time using the platform, they had no trouble finding Patriot Connect, accessing the login page, and navigating through the appointment setup process. 
  • Scenario 2: Initially, the student found it unclear how to view or access available time slots. However, with some exploration, they were eventually able to figure it out on their own. 
  • Scenario 3: The student found the visual design straightforward and user-friendly and appreciated the platform’s feature of displaying upcoming and past appointments. 

Student Success Coach Reflects on Using Patriot Connect   

As staff, faculty, and students adapt to Patriot Connect, feedback from those using the platform helps highlight its growing impact. Joshua Braaten, senior success coach in Student Success Coaching, shared: 

“The interface within Patriot Connect is inviting and innovative. As a platform, it is incredibly user-friendly and allows me to methodically toggle through multiple layers of student data in a “one-stop-shop” related format. I am able to provide quality service and support for students in a timely and productive manner. Patriot Connect allows me to review the student’s full footprint at George Mason University, serving as a catalyst to better provide a holistic and polished coaching experience for students.“

Joshua’s experience reflects the Patriot Connect program’s goal of delivering a tool that empowers staff and enhances the student experience—making it easier to provide timely, personalized support that helps students thrive.  

Building Patriot Connect Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions 

During the build phase for Patriot Connect Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions, the team is working in focused, two-week periods called “sprints” to develop and refine system features. With Sprint 6 now complete, the team continues to make progress on building a more streamlined and user-friendly application experience in Patriot Connect. Recent development has focused on features such as the application review and submit process, checklist functionality, and event journey templates for Marketing Cloud. The team also continued building reusable application cards for areas such as preparation coursework, proposed areas of study, individualized study, and required documentation. Each sprint outlines specific functionality to be built, and regular sessions are held with product owners and both functional and technical representatives from across George Mason to review and approve demos. This collaborative approach ensures the platform aligns with the needs of the units, colleges, and schools they represent while delivering a seamless user experience. As the build phase progresses, we look forward to sharing more updates on the evolving features to expect from Patriot Connect: Recruitment and Admissions.   

Patriot Connect Featured Training Materials

Thirty-minute micro-trainings and office hours will be offered throughout the fall semester to refresh your knowledge and skills in Patriot Connect. Watch the Microsoft Teams Patriot Connect Training Community channel for announcements of upcoming micro-trainings and register in MasonLEAPS for these virtual sessions hosted in Microsoft Teams. Recordings of sessions (except for office hours) will be posted in MasonLEAPS within 72 hours. To register:    

  1. Login to MasonLEAPS. 
  2. From the Learning menu, select Events Calendar.  
  3. Click on the session you wish to attend to view the session details.  
  4. Click the Request button to register. 

On the Horizon: Patriot Connect to Attend the Fall 2025 Get Connected Fair

The Patriot Connect team will have a table at the Fall 2025 Get Connected Fair, which is a Welcome2Mason event for students held at Wilkins Plaza, East Plaza, Fenwick Lawn and SUBI Quad on September 3. While exploring clubs, teams, and student organizations to get involved in, students can stop by the Patriot Connect table to learn more about their new go-to platform for scheduling appointments and accessing student support services. Members of the Patriot Connect team will be at the table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to answer questions and give away Patriot Connect swag to students who book an appointment through the portal.  

Patriot Connect Team Spotlight Series

Meet the Patriot Connect Team members supporting you and the George Mason community as we adapt to Patriot Connect Release 1: Student Success and continue into Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions. Discover their roles, what motivates and inspires them, and a fun fact or two. Get to know our August spotlight, Tahisha Mayfield!

ICYMI

As always, we welcome your feedback. Please feel free to share the sign up form with your colleagues who are interested in staying up to date with Patriot Connect.

Sincerely,

The Patriot Connect Program Management Team