|
August 11, 2025
Good morning,
| | |
Last week, we were pleased to share that Sentara Health and Virginia Wesleyan University have taken a major step forward in our growing partnership to expand and strengthen health sciences education.
Initial agreements have been signed to formally transition Sentara College of Health Sciences (SCOHS) into a professional college within VWU’s academic structure. Effective January 1, 2026, the new entity will be known as the Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University, pending accreditation approval. The agreement preserves SCOHS’s respected legacy while integrating its offerings into VWU’s broad liberal arts and sciences environment.
All existing degree and certificate programs will remain in place, with no changes for current students to their courses of study, out-of-pocket costs, or graduation timelines. SCOHS will continue to operate from its current campus through Summer 2026, with plans to eventually relocate to VWU’s main campus.
President Angela Taylor of SCOHS and I are united in our commitment to a smooth, student-centered transition that prepares the next generation of healthcare professionals.
This exciting milestone was also featured by:
Virginia Business: New Sentara and VWU college to launch in January
The Virginian Pilot: Sentara Health, Virginia Wesleyan partnership on health-related programs begins in 2026
WAVY-TV10: Sentara College of Health Sciences to Become Professional College Under VWU
| | |
We were delighted to welcome a new group of WesBridge Scholars to campus on Friday. These first-year students arrive early and engage in the program for two weeks before the start of the fall semester. They take their first college course and earn two credits through a mix of discussion, lecture, service-learning activities, workshops, and assignments. This early glimpse of “life as a college student” helps WesBridge Scholars build good study habits and crucial time management skills while getting a feel for campus life.
Thanks to the sponsorship support of Sentara Health, our students are able to begin their college journey with greater confidence and opportunity. This initiative reflects VWU’s commitment to delivering a transformative educational experience—one that prepares students for success both today and in the years ahead. We are sincerely grateful to Sentara Health for making this program possible and for investing in the development of tomorrow’s leaders.
| AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS | | |
2025-2026 Policies, Handbooks, and Guidelines
All policies, handbooks, and guidelines for the 2025-26 academic year have been posted on our website. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact humanresources@vwu.edu.
| |
Robert Nusbaum Center Fall 2025 Programming
The Robert Nusbaum Center is pleased to share its Fall 2025 newsletter and lineup of upcoming events. This edition, Legacies of Love, Learning, and Leadership, is available online and highlights the enduring contributions of our region and Virginia Wesleyan University.
This fall’s programs will feature distinguished speakers from Connecticut, Missouri, North Carolina, and Coastal Virginia, along with VWU’s own Larry Hultgren, Steve Mansfield, Eric Mazur, and Levi Tenen. We invite you to take part in these engaging conversations and connect with the Robert Nusbaum Center throughout the season.
| |
VBV in Action
We held a productive August meeting of the Virginia Beach Vision Board of Directors Executive Committee at The Runnymede Corporation. As the leading business advocacy organization in the city, VBV continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of Virginia Beach.
| |
A Visit with Hourigan
It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Bart Dexter, Vice President of Hourigan's Hampton Roads operations. Over the past decade, Hourigan and VWU have partnered on more than 25 campus construction projects, while also providing significant support for student scholarships. Currently, Hourigan is leading the construction of the stunning new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU, scheduled for completion in January 2026.
| |
Congratulations to Women’s Volleyball
Virginia Wesleyan Women’s Volleyball has earned the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, recognizing their outstanding academic performance. To receive this honor, the team maintained a collective GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.
Congratulations to Director of Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Karissa Cumberbatch and all our dedicated student-athletes on the well-deserved recognition.
Read more here.
| | |
Growing with VWU Global Campus
Talent development courses, offered at no-cost thanks to our wonderful partnership with the City of Virginia Beach and Virginia Beach Economic Development, surged 63.8% in participation from 2024 to 2025.
Learn more about how you can do more with VWU Global Campus.
| |
2025 State of the University: A Celebration of The Batten Legacy - Wednesday, August 20
As we prepare to launch a new academic year, I’m pleased to share that this year’s State of the University will hold special significance and take on a distinctive format. Commemorating the close of my tenth year as president, the program will celebrate The Batten Legacy and its profound impact on Virginia Wesleyan.
This unique program will honor visionary philanthropist Jane Batten—widely regarded as the most transformative figure in our institution’s history—and her extraordinary family. While the campus community and invited guests will gather in person, I warmly encourage alumni, parents, students, and friends to tune in virtually via the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network for what promises to be one of the most memorable milestones in our University’s journey.
| |
24th Annual Virginia Wesleyan University Golf Outing
Mark your calendars to join the 24th Annual Virginia Wesleyan University Golf Outing supporting VWU Baseball, Men’s Lacrosse, and Softball on Friday, October 3, at Cypress Point Country Club during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Keep an eye out for further details!
| |
2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend
Alumni, parents, students, and friends—mark your calendars for Homecoming and Family Weekend, October 3-4, 2025! It will be a special time to reconnect, celebrate, and experience all that makes VWU vibrant.
Watch for the full schedule of events coming soon!
| |
Remembering CeeCee Tucker
Cecilia “CeeCee” Tucker, a revered educator, civil rights activist, and civic leader in Hampton Roads, passed away late last month at age 86. Her legacy spans decades of advocacy for equity, diversity, and inclusion across education, religious institutions, and nonprofits—long before such work was broadly embraced.
CeeCee was a valued member of the Virginia Wesleyan community, serving since 2021 as Special Advisor to the President following her retirement from Old Dominion University.
Read more from WHRO.
| | |
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
A Virginia Wesleyan University Community
| | |
We’re excited to have student-athletes back on campus later this week!
Sincerely,
| | |
