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Dear friends, 

This January, Virginia Wesleyan commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy during a week of service and reflection from January 20-24. The VWU community participated in a variety of activities, including service projects supporting local schools and troops. The week also featured a keynote address from Darryl Byers-Robinson, an advocate for prison education reform, who shared his story of transformation through education while incarcerated.

In addition to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the university has been awarded nearly $200,000 from NOAA to make environmental education more accessible. This grant will help develop a curriculum focused on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, tailored for students with learning differences. Led by Dr. Bill McConnell and Dr. Mindy Gumpert, the initiative aims to ensure all students, regardless of ability, can engage meaningfully with environmental science, fostering critical thinking and environmental stewardship.

Each year, I look forward to attending the MLK Community Leadership Awards Dinner, hosted by the Urban League of Hampton Roads. Under the outstanding leadership of Gil Bland, President and CEO of ULHR, this event continues to grow, with over 1,300 attendees this year at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. It was a humbling and deeply meaningful experience to be honored with the Martin Luther King Community Leadership Award for Education at the event. This recognition reflects many initiatives, including the establishment of the VWU Center for Urban Leadership Education, which is focused on talent development, workforce preparation, and prison education. Together, we are working to strengthen our university and the wider community.

This month, VWU welcomed two new members to its Board of Trustee: Becky Sawyer, Executive Vice President at Sentara Health, and Dr. William L. Murray, Senior Vice President at Dominion Energy. Both bring expertise in healthcare, energy, and community engagement. Additionally, the university’s online programs were recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings, with honors for the online business and education programs. The Lighthouse also launched its Career Lunch & Learn series, offering students valuable resources to prepare for their career searches, including resume-building workshops, networking sessions, and professional development support.

VWU remains committed to shaping a brighter, more inclusive future. As we look ahead, I am confident that our shared efforts will further elevate our university’s contributions to the community and beyond. Together, we are making a difference.

Sincerely,

The sixth chapter of this year’s President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In Augsburg University President Paul C. Pribbenow, Ph.D., provides insight into how the university leaned into its urban location, diverse student body, and historic values to embrace a student-centric admissions strategy that transformed the enrollment process and made it possible to welcome a record number of first-generation undergraduates. More importantly, Pribbenow describes how the university’s unique approach is a complement to its existing—and very robust—student support services that break down educational access barriers and reinforce institutional commitments to student success through admissions, retention, and graduation.

This year's  series, titled “,” features fresh insights and time-tested strategies for supporting positive student outcomes and ensuring the college’s long-term resilience. A new chapter of this 10-part series, authored by a diverse range of college and university presidents, will be published online each month. We hope you will find value in the unique perspectives offered by these prescient higher education leaders, and we look forward to examining the variety of game changers driving the evolution of modern higher education as the series continues.