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Dear friends, 

This month, Virginia Wesleyan students participated in Student Advocacy Day in Richmond, where I had the privilege of joining a delegation of students to engage with lawmakers and advocate for private higher education. The event, organized by the Council for Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), gave our students the chance to meet with key legislators to discuss the importance of continued funding for VTAG and other key issues affecting private higher education in Virginia.

Each year, I host the Spring Town Hall to provide updates on the university's progress and future goals. At the event, I was pleased to announce that Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson has been named Provost and Vice President. A dedicated academic leader with a strong commitment to student success and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Gonsalves-Jackson brings a wealth of experience to this vital role. We look forward to her leadership in shaping the university’s academic future.

Other key highlights from the Town Hall included updates on the , the success of our athletics programs, and our continued strong enrollment numbers. I also discussed VWU’s expanding global footprint, academic flexibility, and the launch of a new prison education program aimed at increasing access to higher education. Additionally, I shared insights from my trip to Capitol Hill, addressing national higher education trends, including challenges to federal funding and tax benefits that support college affordability. 

Across campus, we've shared exciting events and developments. The university hosted a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. VWU announced the addition of women’s flag football to its athletic programs, set to debut in Spring 2026. Finally, the Winter 2025 edition of the Â鶹´«Ă˝rtb Magazine was released, including the 2023-2024 Annual Report, which highlights the university’s continued growth and the significant contributions of its benefactors.

As we move forward, I am excited about the continued growth and impact of Virginia Wesleyan, both within our community and beyond. Together, we remain committed to our mission of providing access to higher education and empowering our students for success in an ever-changing world.



Sincerely,

The seventh chapter of this year’s President to President thought leadership series is now available online. In by President Lisa Marsh Ryerson of Southern New Hampshire University, the transition from one presidency to the next is not just a ceremonial passing of the torch. Instead, it is an opportunity to bring thoughtful succession and transition planning together with a strategic direction for the institution, all while honoring the service of the outgoing president and the history and culture of the university. A tall order under the best of circumstances; a particularly challenging one in this moment as we watch leaders come under withering scrutiny and 

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.