Office of the President News

Radford University is experiencing record-high retention numbers for new and returning undergraduate students.

Advocacy Day, a 25-year tradition of student participation in Virginia’s legislative process, provides Radford students with a unique experiential learning opportunity and a chance to help elevate the university’s reputation.

“Perhaps you were made for such a time as this,” said Nicole Gwanzura ’12, MBA ’13, who runs Education Advancement Consulting. She urged them to be decisive, strategic and selective in their job searches, to formulate educated opinions and to be advocates for themselves.

Key strategic successes achieved in 2024, including the launch of the Radford Tuition Promise, the completion of the TOGETHER campaign and enhanced career and talent development practices, were among the topics discussed during the Radford University Board of Visitors quarterly meetings held Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5-6.

The two-day event was held Nov. 14-15 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center and featured dozens of speakers and more than 200 attendees. Venture Lab Director Samantha Steidle also gave guests an overview of current artificial intelligence tools and their practical applications.

Nicole Gwanzura ’12, MBA ’13, will share her strategies for living a fulfilling life after college as the keynote speaker for Winter Commencement on Dec. 13 and 14.

Radford University is excited to announce the launch of the Tartan Transfer program, a new initiative designed to streamline the transfer process for students from eight Virginia Community College System (VCCS) schools.

Radford University’s recent response to the remnants of Hurricane Helene was a well-orchestrated effort involving several university offices, numerous employees and a handful of outside organizations and agencies.

Nayshon Mosley-Milford, Ed.D., dean of student success at Chicago State University, is joining Radford University as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow for the 2024-25 academic year.

As the fall 2024 semester begins at Radford University, the Carilion Clinic Foundation has invested in the education of 52 Highlanders studying to become healthcare professionals. The healthcare organization has committed $100,000 in scholarship support.

The governor announced the appointment of four members and the reappointment of one member to the Radford University Board of Visitors to serve four-year terms.

Achievements discussed included the prospect of significant enrollment expansion, a 1.5% tuition rebate and an update of the university’s brand and website.

Radford University will offer a tuition rebate for in-state undergrads for 2024-2025, reversing the 1.5% increase previously approved by the Board of Visitors.

Radford’s animal therapy program welcomed three new canine graduates and their handlers, all of whom undertook extended training courses to join the group.

Held March 7 at Roanoke College, the multi-phase summit’s centerpiece was an hourlong dialogue among the heads of regional colleges and universities. Also on offer were networking opportunities and break-out classes on linking students with expanded training and employment opportunities.

Radford University is helping to resolve the growing teacher shortage by establishing the Southwest Virginia Teacher Apprenticeship Consortium (SWVTAC).

Radford University’s 24th annual Advocacy Day in Richmond continued a long-running tradition among Virginia’s four-year public institutions of student-led engagement with state lawmakers to advance issues critical to higher education as well as initiatives that benefit all residents of the Commonwealth.

Radford University has completed a successful accreditation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), earning a 10-year reaffirmation from the SACSCOC Board of Trustees.

Radford University’s Board of Visitors held its final quarterly meetings of 2023 on Thursday, Nov. 30, and Friday, Dec. 1, inside Kyle Hall on the university’s main campus.

To create a convenient way for Virginia teachers with provisional licensure to earn full credentials, Radford University is launching the Provisional to Professional Pathway project beginning Dec. 1.

Radford University and Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) have reached a transfer agreement granting SWCC Honors students guaranteed admission to Radford's Honors College, beginning with the fall semester in 2024.

President Bret Danilowicz put forth his two-year plan on Oct. 20, saluting recent accomplishments while also outlining his goals for the two years ahead.

To offer Virginians better access to higher education, Radford University has introduced the Radford Tuition Promise, a program guaranteeing coverage of tuition costs for residents of the commonwealth with a household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less.

Radford University is excited to share an initiative that simplifies the application process and offers a streamlined pathway for incoming students by offering Direct Admission.

The HUB at Radford for Economic Development officially opened following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 17, 2023, hosted by the Radford University Division of Economic Development and Corporate Education and the Radford Chamber of Commerce.

A recap of recent successes, budgetary and planning actions, a discussion of affordability and tours of emerging facilities were among the highlights as the Board of Visitors held its quarterly meetings Sept. 7-8 in Kyle Hall.

The Highlanders’ animal therapy team will review potential new members through Aug. 30.

The June 9 meeting included the president’s report, recommendations from the task force on free expression and voting in a rector and vice rector.