Dialogue: January 2026

January 12, 2026

Good morning,

For more than three decades, I have opened the new year by attending the Council of Independent Colleges Presidents Institute, the nation’s largest annual gathering of private college presidents. Each January, this convening offers a valuable moment for reflection, renewal, and engagement with peers across higher education—particularly meaningful as VWU prepares for its next chapter as Batten University.

Held alongside the winter board meeting of New American Colleges and Universities, this year’s Institute provided the opportunities to engage with NACU President Sean Creighton and Board Chair Bryon Grigsby, reconnect with longtime colleagues, and advance conversations around enrollment strategy, academic innovation, policy, technology, and partnerships that support student success. I always value the opportunity to connect with our friends at Sodexo, sponsor of the President to President series, where I serve as executive editor. These national engagements continue to inform our work on campus and help ensure that, as we look ahead, we remain well positioned to lead with purpose, adaptability, and vision.

Pictured at the opening reception were Pam Balch, retired president of West Virginia Wesleyan College (my alma mater); Mike Maxey, retired president of Roanoke College; and Marcia Daniel, Chief Client Officer at Ferrilli, our IT infrastructure consultants. I also had the pleasure of spending time with Jack Corby, Vice President of Stevens Strategy, which has served as counsel to VWU Human Resources on contemporary higher-education policy and practice. The trip was further rounded out with productive visits with John Dysart, President of The Dysart Group, our trusted counsel for the past decade and a valued partner across four institutions, and John Meyer, CEO of CompleteU, a VWU Partner in Progress.

During the Institute, members of the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities welcomed Stuart Gulley as its new Executive Director. Stuart previously served for 13 years as president of LaGrange College and is pictured with Tammy Gieselman, Director of Education at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church and Executive Secretary of the University Senate. Having previously served as NAAMSCU president, it was especially meaningful to mark this leadership transition among colleagues committed to faith-based higher education.

Additional conversations included a thoughtful exchange with Steve Sproles, Principal at Derck & Edson, who facilitated the University’s 10-Year Campus Master Plan, as well as time at the Celebration of Independent Higher Education with Barbara Mistick, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Marjorie Hass, President of the Council of Independent Colleges; and John Marsden, President of Midway University. These conversations reinforced the value of national partnerships and shared learning as we continue shaping VWU’s future.

ET CETERA

The year 2026 marks the official launch of Batten University and a defining moment in the institution’s evolution. The new name reflects both the University’s proud history and its continued development into a comprehensive institution serving students across the arts and sciences, health professions, and global education. This transition affirms a long-standing commitment to academic excellence, access, and innovation, while positioning the University to meet the needs of future generations.

The year ahead also includes two major milestones. The integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences into the University will expand academic offerings and strengthen pathways into high-demand health professions, while the opening of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art on our campus will enhance experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement. These initiatives are complemented by focused investments in academic infrastructure.

Over the holiday break, the Foley Seminar Room on the second floor of the H.C. Hofheimer II Library was reconfigured to create two technologically enhanced classrooms, each designed to accommodate 20 students. The new spaces are accessible from the Athenaeum-facing entrance and from an adjacent entrance near the Stephen S. Mansfield Special Collections and University Archives. This work, made possible through the leadership of Jason Seward, Chief Operations Officer, in partnership with Facilities Management and our special subcontractor “Z”, reflects the University’s continued commitment to high-quality learning environments that support teaching excellence and student success.

Over the weekend, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art concluded a series of farewell events at its longtime oceanfront home on Parks Avenue, offering the community a final opportunity to celebrate the museum’s legacy before closing this chapter. The two-day “Farewell to Parks Avenue” celebration featured a well-attended evening event with music, food, and a silent auction, as well as a free community day that welcomed visitors for artist demonstrations, talks, and hands-on activities. Notably, the museum opened its vault to the public for the first time, showcasing best-in-show works from past Boardwalk Art Shows and selected pieces from its permanent collection. Read more from WHRO.

The museum officially remained open at its Parks Avenue location through January 11, marking a meaningful milestone as preparations continue for its relocation to campus. Work is steadily advancing at VMOCA’s new 35,000-square-foot home within the David R. Goode Arts Complex, where expanded education and exhibition spaces will increase capacity by approximately 20 percent. With January Term underway, moving activity and visible progress will continue throughout the month as the museum prepares for its highly anticipated opening this spring. Recent exterior landscaping has further defined the setting, and the latest photos highlight VMOCA’s emerging presence within the Goode Arts Complex and its surrounding grounds.

Learn more at www.virginiamoca.org and www.vwu.edu.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Commemorating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As a reminder, the University will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

We will mark the 31st anniversary of Dr. King’s legacy as a National Day of Service with a signature MLK program, Frames of Freedom: Norman Rockwell, Gordon Parks, and the Visual Language of Justice, on Tuesday, January 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Brock Commons. Hosted by the Robert Nusbaum Center, the program will include an interactive discussion led by Art Professors Derek Eley and John Rudel and the presentation of the Mavis McKenley ’11 Award, recognizing a student whose commitment to justice, education, and community service reflects Dr. King’s ideals. In the spirit of service, the VWU community is invited to support a winter clothing drive for local elementary school students.

View Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Events Schedule here.

Virginia Names New Secretary of Education

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has announced the appointment of Jeffery O. Smith, Ed.D., as Virginia’s next Secretary of Education. Dr. Smith brings more than three decades of leadership in public education, including service as superintendent of Hampton City Schools and as a member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. A proud graduate of Virginia Union University, he currently serves as Executive Director and CEO of the Virginia Air and Space Science Center.

We look forward, along with our private-college partners, to working with Secretary-designate Smith to strengthen Virginia’s higher education system by expanding access and affordability and building a robust talent pipeline for the Commonwealth. Pictured with Dr. Jeffery O. Smith is his wife, Dr. Lorianne Smith. Read more from 13NewsNow.

2026 Ethics Bowl Team Prepares for Statewide Competition

VWU’s Ethics Bowl Team is preparing to compete in the 26th annual statewide Applied Ethics Bowl sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, to be held February 13 at the University of Richmond. VWU students will join teams from 16 other independent colleges and universities to deliberate this year’s theme, Ethics and Business.

The 2026 team includes: (pictured from left, top row) Raymond Slattery ’28, Andrew Steiner ’26, Jahki Emmons-Mayo ’28, Daren Abramaitys ’28, (pictured from left, bottom row) Abigail Wigginton ’29, Elena Lichtenwalner ’26, Avery Belisle ’27, and Eleanor VanDuyne ’29, under the guidance of (pictured center, top row) faculty coordinator and Assistant Professor of Philosophy Dr. Levi Tenen. Best wishes to our Marlins as they represent VWU in this distinguished statewide competition! Learn more here.

A Decade of Extraordinary Growth

I am pleased to share a recent feature published by Dwyer Education Strategies that highlights the extraordinary progress Virginia Wesleyan University has made over the past decade. The article reflects on our growth during a challenging period for higher education and recognizes VWU as a model for small private universities through strategic enrollment management, academic innovation, expanded partnerships, and sustained investment in the student experience.

The piece also underscores outcomes that speak to our shared work, including enrollment growth across undergraduate, graduate, workforce, and lifelong learning programs, transformational fundraising that has more than tripled our endowment, and continued investment in our campus and academic enterprise. I am grateful to our faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends whose collective commitment has made this momentum possible and continues to position VWU for a strong and dynamic future. Read more here.

Lease Signed for Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Virginia Beach

A new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic is coming to Virginia Beach, with a 20-year lease finalized for a state-of-the-art facility at Northampton Boulevard and Premium Outlets Boulevard—just minutes from campus. Announced by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, the clinic will expand access to high-quality care for the region’s growing veteran population.

The clinic’s close proximity to VWU presents meaningful possibilities for experiential learning, internships, and future partnerships across health sciences, psychology, social work, and related fields—creating new pathways for our students while strengthening care and service in Hampton Roads. Read more from The Virginian-Pilot.

WHRO Highlights Neurodiversity Resource Center

A recent feature by WHRO spotlights VWU’s new Center for Neurodiversity and Career Development, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to support neurodivergent students navigating executive functioning challenges, anxiety, and the transition to college. Launched last fall and housed within the Learning Center and Advising offices, the program is staffed by two neurodiversity specialists who draw on their own lived experience to provide practical, student-centered support.

The story highlights the Center’s inclusive approach, offering one-on-one coaching, skill-building workshops, and faculty guidance without requiring formal documentation through disability services. As demand grows, University leaders hope the model can expand through additional staffing and partnerships, helping students build confidence, independence, and career pathways aligned with their strengths. Read more from WHRO.

President to President: Chapter 6 Available Now

The sixth chapter of this year’s President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “Belonging Without Borders,” SUNY Oneonta President Alberto J.F. Cardelle, Ph.D., examines the importance of creating positive relationships between campuses and surrounding towns. He shares strategies for ensuring students, faculty, and staff feel like active members of the local and regional community, as well as tactics for building connections and strengthening town-and-gown relations through service, partnership, and collaboration. Read Chapter 6.