�鶹��ýrtb

Dear friends,

As we begin our new fiscal year, I'm excited to share some of the bright days and even brighter achievements that have marked this summer at VWU.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Mary Dana Hinton, President of Hollins University and author of "Leading from the Margins: College Leadership in Unexpected Places," to speak at the Batten Honors College Convocation on September 5. Dr. Hinton's deep commitment to educational excellence will undoubtedly inspire our students and faculty as they embark on a new academic year.

The 2024 HRCAP Community Builders Award Ceremony recently recognized leaders in higher education, including VWU. This accolade reflects our shared dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Celebrating another kind of achievement, first-year student Natashe Tate earned All-American honors in the 100-meter dash at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship Meet. Her exceptional performance is a testament to the high standards our students strive to meet in both academics and athletics.

In academics, our Heat Mitigation Project, in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Communities and the Elizabeth River Project, continues in Portsmouth, Virginia. Additionally, students in a spring section of PSY101 presented their collaborative research paper at a national conference on the intersection of psychology, art, and artificial intelligence. These efforts highlight our commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional education and embracing interdisciplinary approaches in and out of the classroom.

Lastly, I am pleased to announce the book release of the 2023-24 President to President thought leadership series, available for free online. This year's topic, "Sustainable Futures for Higher Education," is aimed at guiding university leaders to foster environments that prioritize sustainability. I'm proud to have served as the executive editor of this series for the last 20 years.

Thank you for your dedication and enthusiasm as we continue to catch the rays of opportunity and raise the bar for excellence at VWU.

The 2023-2024 edition of , a groundbreaking higher education thought leadership series featuring insights from college and university presidents, begins now! This year’s series, titled “,” will examine the many facets of sustainability as well as its importance to students and its impacts on campuses.

In “,” University of Southern Indiana President Ronald S. Rochon, Ph.D., explores pervasive social issues, such as housing insecurity and financial struggles, and their impacts on members of marginalized communities. He discusses how higher education leaders can help address these issues by raising awareness, preparing students to advocate for change, and urging collective action.

I have been proud to serve as Executive Editor of the series for the last 20 years. I hope this series provides valuable insights that you can apply to your own workplaces as you work through the unique and ongoing challenges of our time.