Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

July 8, 2024

Good morning,

Annie and I hope all Marlins and friends had a happy and safe Independence Day!

At the beginning of each academic year, we celebrate the special tradition of Founders Day. Our formal convocation ceremony and presentation of our annual Alumni Awards will be held on Thursday, September 5 at 12:00 p.m. in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. We look forward to once again paying tribute to our roots, recognizing key individuals who helped shape our history, and celebrating the institution's bright future.

Our keynote speaker will be Jennifer Rouse ‘08, a member of the Virginia Beach City Council and an assistant professor of Sociology and department chair for Social Sciences and Education at Tidewater Community College. Councilmember Rouse was elected in 2022 to serve as District 10 representative. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, she earned her undergraduate degree in English literature from Virginia Wesleyan then graduated with a Master of Science degree in sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University. While at VCU, she was awarded the L. Douglas Wilder Graduate Scholar Fellowship, which provided numerous research opportunities, including the opportunity to research the barriers and supports to serving low-income youth in Richmond. On City Council, Councilmember Rouse has been appointed to the Housing Advisory Board and Active Transportation Advisory Committee. She is also a liaison to the Minority Business Council, the Public Library Board, the Atlantic Park Community Development Authority, and the Something in the Water Festival. She will be honored with The Beacon Award following her address.

Our formal Founders Day convocation ceremony will include the presentation of our annual Alumni Awards. In addition to Councilwoman Rouse’s Beacon Award, I am delighted to share our other 2024 Alumni Award recipients, an honor the VWU Alumni Council bestows upon graduates in recognition of outstanding professional and personal accomplishments:

Distinguished Alumnus Award

David Green ‘98

Chief Financial Officer, Georgetown University

Alumni Service Award

John-Henry Doucette ‘01

Editor and Publisher, The Princess Anne Independent News

Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award

Kameron Clarke ‘21

Chief of Staff to Virginia Senator Angelia Williams Graves

We will also present The Wesley Award to Delceno Miles, President/CEO of The Miles Agency, a Virginia Beach-based niche marketing and public relations firm she founded in 1989. Delceno was appointed in 2002 as the first African American and only the third woman chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce regional board. She was elected to the Virginia Beach School Board and served as vice chair for two years. She has also served as a Virginia Beach CIty Council member and President of Virginia Beach Vision. She is currently a board member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). She was honored by Inside Business publication with its Women in Business Achievement Award in 2009. The YWCA named her its 2011 Woman of Distinction in Communications, and Inside Business named her to its Power List as one of the top 75 most powerful leaders in Hampton Roads over 10 times.

We look forward to paying tribute to our roots, recognizing key individuals who helped shape our history and our community, and celebrating the institution's bright future on Founders Day.

ET CETERA

I am pleased to announce members of the Leadership Council for the academic year 2024-25. The Leadership Council plays a vital role in our institution's collaborative governance, fostering shared processes, and enhancing communication among administrative staff members, departments, and other University constituencies.

The Leadership Council meets monthly to broaden discussions and promote active participation in key administrative issues. This esteemed group serves in an advisory capacity, ensuring that diverse perspectives and insights are considered in our decision-making process.

The following members of the Virginia Wesleyan community have been appointed to the Leadership Council for 2024-25.

Regina Barletta, Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator

Amanda Battle, Student Success Coordinator

Brad Botkin, Director of Facilities Management

Jeff Bowers, Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Shane Boyd, Director of Institutional Research

David Brandt, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications

April Christman, Director of Counseling and Student Health

Jennifer Cohen, Director of Student Engagement

Trey DelPo, Director of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

Kelly Jackson, Associate Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center

Alice Jones, Director of Career Development

Courtney Knudsen, Registrar

Beth Koroleski, Director of Financial Aid

Stephen Leist, Head Librarian

Tim Lockett, General Manager, Sodexo Dining Services

Loren Loving Marquez, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Nikki Nieves, Director for Enrollment, Batten Honors College

Brooke Novkovic, Director of Global Engagement

Jason Seward, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management

Greg Skinner, Chief Information Officer

Elyse Rosen, Director of Residence Life

Bethany Tsiaras, Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning

President's Cabinet, ex officio

Throughout the academic year, the Leadership Council will engage in meaningful discussions on matters that impact our campus community, academic programs, support services, and institutional growth. Their contributions and recommendations will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic decisions of our university.

I encourage all members of our community to actively engage with the Leadership Council members, sharing your ideas, insights, and concerns. Their accessibility and receptivity to input from various stakeholders will ensure that our decisions remain inclusive and reflect the diverse perspectives that enrich our university community.

Please join me in congratulating and supporting the Leadership Council members for the academic year 2024-25. I am confident that their commitment to collaborative governance will contribute significantly to the success and growth of the University.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Latest Edition of Excelsis Now Available Online

I am proud to share the most recent edition of Excelsis, a publication of the Batten Honors college that features inspiring stories of BHC Scholars. This issue includes features by those scholars, student achievements, BHC events, interviews with BHC scholars, and where some of our newly-minted graduates are heading next. Read more.

Enrollment Manager: How To Showcase Your Campus Values and Culture During Recruiting

I am pleased to share my latest article on enrollment best practices in Enrollment Manager, co-authored by Dr. Katie Sanders. Read more.

New Dean of the National Defense University

I had an enjoyable breakfast last week with Dr. Charles Stuppard, the new Dean of the National Defense University Joint Forces College in Norfolk. A former Congressional District Director and Military Liaison Officer, he’s been a good friend to VWU for a long time.

WHRO Board Membership Begins

I was delighted to join my first meeting as a new member of the Governing Board of Directors for WHRO last week. The mission of WHRO is to inspire the public to feel smarter and happier through the power of nonprofit media. I’m proud to serve this organization that is doing incredible work to educate and entertain our region.

One-Year Anniversary of Pell Grant Reinstatement

My thanks to Chadwick Dotson, Director of Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), and Terri Erwin, Director of Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison, for involving VWU in the celebration of the 1-year anniversary of Pell Grant reinstatement for incarcerated learners. Also pictured is Rodney Berry, Superintendent of Education, VADOC.The event was covered by the Virginia Mercury.

Learn more about the reinstatement of Pell grants for incarcerated individuals from Inside Higher Education.

New Chancellor of Virginia Community Colleges

I had an enjoyable meeting with David Doré, new Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges, in Richmond last week. VWU and VCC have a seamless pathway articulation agreement benefiting any student pursuing higher education in the Commonwealth.

It's WINDSday

See what’s new in this week’s edition here.

Visit with Congressional Candidate

I had a nice visit this past week with Missy Smasal. She’s running for Congress in the 2nd District. We discussed VWU’s interest in hosting a candidate’s forum in cooperation with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Last week we extended an invitation to both campaigns.

No-Cost Professional Development Courses: Summer 2024

Registration for VWU Global Campus's summer session of no-cost professional development workshops is now open. These classes, offered in partnership with Virginia Beach Economic Development at The HIVE or on campus, join other comprehensive non-degree courses designed to provide advanced skills valued by employers.

Opus Resumes This Summer

VWU's Opus summer program, a Work & Learn initiative, is back. The Opus program is designed to assist students with outstanding financial obligations to the University and has helped over 150 Marlins continue their educational pursuits. Participating students work alongside multiple campus offices, including the University's Facilities Management team, on corrective and preventative maintenance, as well as beautification projects throughout campus. Projects include residence hall preparation and maintenance for summer camps and conferences, parking lot painting, and work with the grounds team. Thanks to the generosity of Trustee David Kaufman H’19 and The Landmark Foundation, Opus continues to assist eligible students in making their education affordable.

2024 State of the University: August 23

Each August, prior to the start of the fall semester, I deliver a State of the University Address to our campus community. The address includes highlights, initiatives, and significant accomplishments from the past year, recognition of faculty and staff, points of pride, recent University news and information, current campus projects, and the strategic direction of the University’s future. The 2024 State of the University Address will take place on Friday, August 23. We look forward to welcoming our Trustees, faculty, staff, and many friends in person. For our students and alumni, the State of the University will be livestreamed on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network beginning at 12:10 p.m.

Wesleyan Wednesday at Ballyhoos: August 7

Mark your calendars to join us at Ballyhoos for our annual summertime Wesleyan Wednesday. The event is free and open to all Marlin alumni, faculty, staff, and their families on August 7 from 5-7pm. We hope to see you there!

Still Available: Free eBook of 2023-24 President to President Series

The complete 2023-2024 President to President thought leadership series is now available to download here. This year’s book, titled “Sustainable Futures for Higher Education,” offers a thoughtful examination of how sustainability and its many facets will continue to impact college campuses.

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