At
the opening of this academic year, I shared plans for the creation of a
new center that will build on Virginia Wesleyan University’s strong
foundation of student volunteerism and shape, expand, and direct service
learning opportunities, neighborhood partnerships, and interfaith
dialogue. I am pleased to announce that, effective December 1, Dr. Brian
Kurisky will join the VWU community as Director of Wesleyan Engaged:
Center for Civic Leadership and Service Learning.
Virginia
Wesleyan holds a highly visible presence in Coastal Virginia and beyond,
particularly with respect to sustainability, interfaith dialogue, music
ministry, and neighborhood partnerships. Dr. Kurisky will build upon
our existing community relationships, further identifying and
coordinating mutually-beneficial service learning and volunteer
opportunities for VWU faculty, staff, and students. He will also pursue
grant support for Wesleyan Engaged and will seek national recognition
through initiatives such as the President’s Higher Education Honor Roll,
the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, and the Campus
Compact Civic Action Plan.
Dr. Kurisky comes to Virginia Wesleyan
with an impressive background in higher education. He has served in
various leadership capacities at Old Dominion University, including his
most recent position as Director for Academic Initiatives in the Center
for High Impact Practices, and other roles in academic support and
institutional research and assessment. He has also held several student
affairs/residence life positions at institutions such as Ferris State
University, Western Michigan University, and Lake Superior State
University. He holds a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Old
Dominion University, an M.S.Ed. in higher education from Grand Valley
State University, and B.S. degrees in political science and speech
communication from Old Dominion University.
Special thanks to Dr. Timothy O'Rourke, Provost and Vice
President, and Dr. Keith Moore, Vice President for Student Affairs, for
further establishing the vision for Wesleyan Engaged and for leading the
comprehensive search process that resulted in this highly qualified candidate.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Brian Kurisky to our campus community.
Together, we will build on Virginia Wesleyan's service to the community
while creating valuable learning experiences for our students.
