George Mason’s Early Identification Program allowed recent STEM graduate Crystal Forson to get a head start on pursuing her educational goals.
By Amanda Milewski
Senior information technology major Crystal Forson chuckled when she explained that her mother said, “We are basically in school with you, except for the studying.”
Forson acknowledged that it is essentially true because her parents “have been there every step of the way, supporting me from 8th grade [as a George Mason University Early Identification Program (EIP) student] until now,” as she plans her May 2026 graduation.
She learned about EIP from her counselor at Potomac Middle School in Dumfries, Virginia, and her mother’s excitement about the program was infectious. “What really pushed me [to apply for EIP] was knowing I wanted more for my future and for my family,” Forson said. “I knew it was something that was worth giving it my all.”
EIP, which targets first-generation college-bound students as early as middle school, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2027. Through the program, students have access to academic enrichment, tutors, and mentors both in their home schools and on the George Mason campus.
Forson was involved in science and math courses—part of EIP’s STEM Fusion component—and it was there that she took a Python coding class. Career-wise, she acknowledged that after the class, “I knew that I wanted to do something related to Python. That essentially helped me choose my major, a bachelor’s degree in information technology with a concentration in web application development.”
“Crystal is the kind of student who reminds us exactly why EIP exists,” said Alpachino Hogue, director of the program. “She is bright, disciplined, and deeply committed to making the most of every opportunity in front of her. She has embraced EIP as a community and a pathway to achieving her goals.”
EIP places great value on families supporting their students in the program. Forson’s parents, who are natives of Ghana, attended EIP’s Family Academy so they had a better idea of how to help their daughter. Forson acknowledged that her family is one of her driving forces and that they were fully committed to her being part of the program. “In addition to their constant encouragement and willingness to listen, they attended every program, even if it was [logistically] difficult, made sure I had a ride to wherever I needed to be, and supported me every step of the way.”
Hogue noted that, “Students do not sustain this kind of success over time without a strong foundation, and Crystal’s journey reflects that. Her family clearly instilled in her the habits and values that matter most: a sense of believe in oneself, perseverance, accountability, and a belief in the power of education.”
A meaningful internship
In addition to being involved in EIP and taking full advantage of everything it has to offer, Forson was among the first cohort of CACI Scholars, an initiative made possible by a 2023 gift from CACI International and awarded to 10 EIP alumni. “The program benefits us by creating a strong, sustainable talent pipeline of highly motivated individuals who have fresh perspectives, strong technical foundations, and a deep sense of purpose,” said Jeana Plews, vice president, CACI HR consulting solutions. “By investing early, we are not only helping develop skilled talent, but we are also shaping future leaders who are prepared to innovate and contribute. It’s a program that drives meaningful impact for the students, our organization, and the communities we serve.”
According to Plews, “Forson first encountered our team by sheer coincidence. Our organization sponsored a STEM event and Crystal attended as a volunteer. In a short time, she stood out—not just for her initiative but for the way she engaged with others.”
Forson took part in a summer internship at CACI, made available through the scholarship program. Her team worked on ways to consolidate information among NASA’s many centers across the country. The experience combined her interest in technology and her passion for working with people. “I was exposed to working on technical solutions, including AI, while also working with the actual customer,” she said.
“If I were to summarize Crystal’s performance, I would highlight how exceptionally well her academic background and major prepared her for the highly collaborative style of organization we operate at CACI,” said Steve Brylski, CACI senior systems architect. “Her broad skill set—spanning multiple disciplines while maintaining depth in specific areas—aligned naturally with the way our teams work.”
The internship was such a mutually beneficial, positive experience that CACI offered her a full-time position as a business analyst upon graduation. The job dovetails nicely into the master’s degree program she is already pursuing as a George Mason BAM (Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s) student. Through night classes, she will earn a degree in management with a certificate in business analytics.
Forson also received the Paul and Gwen Patton Memorial Scholarship Endowment, awarded annually to an EIP alum attending George Mason. The endowment is housed in University Life and reflects Paul’s eight-year service on the University Life Advisory Board. CACI, where Paul worked for more than two decades as a senior vice president, made a gift to assist in the endowment’s establishment.
As further testament to Forson’s strengths as a people person, she served as a resident assistant for the past two years and was part of George Mason’s chapter of Every Nation Campus, a faith-based international organization. Forson’s Patriot experience, combining her loves of Python and people, her desire for more and better, and fueled by the benefits of EIP and CACI, have already rocketed her to great heights.