It was a pleasure to welcome faculty and staff to my 9th Annual Spring Town Hall, an opportunity to share important updates on our university’s progress and the broader landscape of higher education.
I shared key campus developments, including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU, set for completion in December, celebrated Coach Dave Macedo’s 500th career win as well as Coach Brandon Elliott’s induction into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, and noted some staff transitions this summer. Enrollment remains strong, with 5,075 students across all programs in FY ‘24 and positive fall projections. Financially, VWU is in a solid position, with record-breaking private support and an endowment growing from $55 million in 2015 to $130 million today. Academically, we continue expanding globally, with the Batten & Black School for International Studies (at Lakeland Japan) surpassing 400 enrollments and new NACU partnerships in Italy and England. Our four-session academic calendar enhances student flexibility, and our prison education program—including degree pathways for incarcerated students and corrections officers—reinforces VWU’s commitment to accessible, life-changing education.
I also had the opportunity to share insights from my recent meetings in Washington, D.C., where I spent four days on Capitol Hill alongside fellow private university leaders. Our discussions centered on the challenges and opportunities facing higher education under the current administration. There is growing concern over proposed cuts to key tax benefits that make college more affordable, potential expansions of the endowment tax, and efforts to eliminate clean energy credits. Pell Grants remain a bipartisan priority, though efforts to double Pell funding have stalled, with a modest $200 per recipient increase being the most likely outcome. Meanwhile, programs such as SEOG, Grad PLUS loans, and Federal Work-Study are at risk of reduction.
Despite the uncertainty at the federal level, I remain confident in VWU’s ability to adapt and thrive. As always, our focus remains on supporting our students, faculty, and institutional sustainability. We are well-positioned to navigate the challenges ahead, thanks to the dedication and resilience of our faculty and staff.
As we look forward, I want to express my deep appreciation for the hard work and commitment of our university community. Your contributions make VWU a stronger institution, and I am grateful for the role each of you plays in shaping our future. Thank you for your continued engagement and support—I look forward to working together as we build on our momentum and continue moving Virginia Wesleyan forward.
|
