Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

October 20, 2025

Good morning,

The Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees held its Fall Meeting last week in the Board of Trustees Suite in the Boyd Dining Center of Brock Commons.

Among the actions and reports at the meeting:

Reviewed progress on the Sentara College of Health Sciences integration (Spring, 2026)

Received updates on Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art construction and integration (Winter/Spring, 2025-26)

Heard a report on the opening of Virginia Wesleyan University–Chesapeake (Prison Education Program) in August, 2025.

Discussed progress on the timeline of activities leading to the Batten University transition on July 1, 2026.

Reviewed progress on the Corrective Maintenance Initiative

Received an update on the Quality Enhancement Plan as part of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reaffirmation of accreditation

Approved the final FY 2025-26 budget

Heard detailed presentations from the Campus Affairs, University Relations, Finance, Endowment, Governance, and Audit Committees

Following the meeting, Annie and I were pleased to host a social and dinner for members of the Board of Trustees, senior staff, and academic leadership, including our deans, at DeFord Manor. The evening offered a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and informal conversation in a relaxed setting, capturing the strong sense of community and shared purpose that defines our leadership team. Musical entertainment was provided by Rob Oliver, who also performed at the Fall Session kickoff in early September.

ET CETERA

All continues to progress according to schedule for the implementation of Batten University on July 1, 2026.

The implementation is being led by Kelly Cordova, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, with Jason Seward, Chief Operations Officer, overseeing the physical changes.

Leadership reviewed implementation plans from eight private and public institutions, gaining valuable insight into best practices and potential challenges. We are especially grateful to colleagues from three private universities that most recently renamed in honor of major philanthropists—their experiences have been instrumental in shaping our approach. Particular appreciation goes to Dr. Earl Brooks, Chancellor and President of Trine University, for his ongoing and generous guidance. Sincere thanks to our implementation team for their tireless work in ensuring a smooth and successful transition.

We encourage you to visit the Letters of Legacy collection online.

Learn more about VWU becoming Batten University here.

Progress continues by 11 integration teams leading the planning for Sentara College of Health Sciences to join the Virginia Wesleyan University family in 2026. The VWU team is led by Dr. David R. Black, Executive in Residence, and Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Provost and Vice President.

To learn more about Sentara College of Health Sciences visit www.sentara.edu.

We look forward to welcoming SCOHS to the Marlin Family in 2026.

Construction is progressing ahead of schedule on the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, located in the David R. Goode Arts Complex adjacent to the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center and Susan T. Beverly Hall. The 35,000-square-foot facility will feature a welcoming front plaza and an outdoor entertainment venue. Substantial completion is expected in December, with occupancy anticipated in early 2026.

As interior work advances, recent attention has shifted to the exterior, where crews have begun construction on the front plaza and landscaping the outdoor entertainment space on the west side of the building.

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

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

F-35 Lightning II Cockpit Demonstration

Special thanks to U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans, Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President Mara Motherway, and local elected officials for a productive discussion about the Navy’s F-35 program and the future of NAS Oceana. The event featured an interactive F-35 Lightning II cockpit demonstration, offering attendees a firsthand look at the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft and its significant economic impact in Virginia and across the nation. Also pictured: Delceno Miles, CEO of The Miles Agency.

Fall Career Expo Connects Students and Alumni with Employers

Last week’s Fall Career Expo brought together students, alumni, and regional employers for an engaging afternoon of networking and career exploration. Hosted by VWU’s Office of Career and Professional Development and held in the Jane P. Batten Student Center, the event offered valuable opportunities to learn about internships, full- and part-time positions, volunteer roles, and pathways for professional growth. View upcoming Athenaeum events here.

Graduate Student Brings Traveling “LOVE” Sculpture to VWU

Thanks to the initiative of graduate student Sarah Sterzing ’25, the Greer Environmental Sciences Center is now home to the region’s traveling “LOVE” sculpture, created entirely from recycled materials. The installation—part of the Hampton Roads “Start Smart, Recycle Right” campaign—encourages awareness of recycling and sustainability.

Sarah, who will graduate in December with her Master of Environmental Studies degree and serves as Director of Keep Norfolk Beautiful, helped bring the sculpture to VWU, making the University the first college campus to host it. Learn more about sustainability@VWU.

The Power of Welcome

I’m pleased to share my latest article in Enrollment Manager, written with Dr. Katie Sanders, Director of Admission & Alumni Affairs at the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy at Shenandoah University. In “The Power of Welcome: How to Make a Positive First Impression on Our Ideal Student Prospects,” we explore how enrollment professionals can create authentic, student-centered connections from the very first interaction—setting the tone for trust, engagement, and long-term success. Read the full article here.

Collaboration Reaches International Stage

Dr. Shantanu Tilak, director of the Center for Educational Research & Technology Innovation at Chesapeake Bay Academy, one of VWU’s educational partners, and a student collaborator will present their paper this month at UCLouvain in Belgium. The work explores AI integration in Intro Psychology courses and will be indexed in one of three international journals following the presentation. Read more.

The Pharos: October Edition

I am proud to share that the October 2025 edition of The Pharos is now available online. We hope you enjoy learning more about our talented faculty and staff members who continue to make important contributions to their respective fields through publications, presentations, and more.

WorldQuest is November 13th

The World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, one of our valued partners, will host the 25th Annual WorldQuest Global Knowledge Competition on Thursday, November 13, at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Sponsored by TowneBank and Towne Insurance, this popular event brings together teams from universities, businesses, and civic groups for an evening of international trivia, prizes, and fun. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the game starts at 6:30 p.m. VWU students, faculty and staff who want to join the VWU team should reach out to Dr. Tyler Lehrer, Assistant Professor of History, at tlehrer@vwu.edu.

December Term Workshops

As we look ahead to the winter session, VWU is offering online, synchronous December Term workshops in CompTIA Data+ and CompTIA Security+ from December 8, 2025, through January 23, 2026. These instructor-led sessions provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen professional skills and earn valuable technical certification—participants pay only for course materials. Register today at vwu.edu/workshops or contact ceinfo@vwu.edu for more information.

President to President: The Students See Everything

The third chapter of this year’s President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In “The Students See Everything,” St. Thomas University President David A. Armstrong, J.D., offers strategies for fostering a culture of authenticity through simple acts, such as helping freshmen move in, cheering on athletic teams from the stands, and sharing meals with students in the dining hall. He illustrates how making time for casual encounters with students strengthens the campus community, creating a culture where students, faculty, and staff feel seen and valued every day. Read Chapter 3.