Dear Colleague,
Thank you for your interest in the Patriot Connect program! We remain committed to sharing recent updates with you.
Release 2 Program Progress Update
As we continue building and preparing for the launch of Patriot Connect Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions, we want to share an important update regarding a risk that could affect our timeline and how we are addressing it.
What’s happening?
Staffing limitations and adjustments in team role expectations have caused delays in the data integration and data migration work for Patriot Connect Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions. To put it into perspective, the magnitude of the integrations and migrations for Release 2 is estimated to be five times that of Release 1. This has temporarily placed the overall program status at risk.
Why does this matter?
Data integration and data migration are critical to the successful launch of Patriot Connect: Recruitment and Admissions. This work ensures that historical data is properly moved from legacy systems (such as TargetX), and that going forward, data is properly shared between Patriot Connect and other systems like Banner (PatriotWeb). Data integration and data migration are also necessary prior to moving into the testing phase of the program. Without it, end-to-end testing and user acceptance testing cannot be fully conducted as planned.
What are we doing about it?
To mitigate this risk, we have:
- Split the original team into two teams—one dedicated to data integration and the other to data migration. This enables individual resources to focus time and attention on their specialty or assigned topic.
- Assigned an additional experienced George Mason project manager to ensure each team has its own focused oversight.
- Allocated additional resources to each team to increase resource capacity.
- Refined planning to accelerate progress.
What’s next?
While some activities may extend beyond the current build schedule, we are making progress towards stabilization and detailed timelines are being finalized. With the mitigations in place, we are hopeful of regaining momentum.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work diligently to keep the program on track. We will continue to provide updates as progress unfolds.
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 12 out of 14 sprints 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 applicant actions, next step items, knowledge articles, and Marketing Cloud decision letters and domicile journeys. 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 of recently built features. This collaborative approach ensures the platform aligns with the needs of the units, colleges, and schools while delivering a seamless user experience.
Meet Your Patriot Connect Release 2 Change Champions
On October 17, the Patriot Connect organizational change management (OCM) team officially launched the Patriot Connect Release 2 Change Champion Network. Units, colleges, or schools impacted by Release 2 have a designated Change Champion who is here to make the transition to Patriot Connect Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions smooth and successful. They act as communications conduits, bridging the gap between the OCM team and the George Mason community by sharing updates, providing resources, and guiding their local teams through the transition. Change Champions will be your go-to source for questions related to Patriot Connect. Find your designated Patriot Connect Release 2 Change Champion.
Updated Patriot Connect Release 1 Training Materials
Want to refresh your knowledge and skills in Patriot Connect: Student Success? Several training materials will soon be published with updates to reflect changes in the system and clarified processes. Be sure to join the Patriot Connect Training Community to be notified when new resources are added or updated. Watch for upcoming updates to the following materials in MasonLEAPs:
- Conducting an Appointment in Patriot Connect Resource Guide
- Drop-In Appointments and Lobby Management Resource Guide
- Getting Access to Patriot Connect as a New User
On the Horizon: Putting Recruitment and Admissions to the Test
The product build team has been working diligently to design and build Patriot Connect: Recruitment and Admissions, and the next phase is putting the new functionality to the test. To ensure the system is ready for go-live starting in March 2026, Patriot Connect will undergo two critical types of testing: end-to-end system testing and user acceptance testing (UAT). Both are crucial but serve different purposes and involve different team members.
End-to-end system testing is technical in nature and focuses on verifying that the entire system—including all its components, integrations, data, and security—works as expected from start to finish. This type of testing is typically conducted by quality assurance engineers and developers who simulate scenarios to ensure the system’s overall performance.
UAT is more functional in nature and ensures the platform meets the university’s business requirements, reflects accurate processes, and delivers the intended user experience. UAT is performed by George Mason staff and faculty who test the system based on real-world scenarios provided by UAT facilitators. The Patriot Connect team will begin identifying UAT testers from impacted business units towards the end of this year.
End-to-end testing and UAT will mark one of the final phases of the program before end-user training and the launch of Release 2: Recruitment and Admissions. For more details, visit the Patriot Connect program timeline.
Release 2 Patriot Connect Change Champion (PCCC) Spotlight Series
Meet the PCCCs 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 November spotlights, Emily Quick and Brittany Terwilliger!
ICYMI
- Updates on Patriot Connect Release 1: Student Success
- Where to Go for Support for Patriot Connect Release 1: Student Success
- October Team Spotlight: David Burge
- Patriot Connect program overview video
- Patriot Connect FAQs
- Did you know you can find last month’s update on the Patriot Connect program website?
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