Spring 2023
Dear colleagues,
It has truly been invigorating to see the renewed life and energy on our campus this fall. It is great to see students in classes, in the hallways and common areas, and participating in on-campus events. I would be remis to not recognize that this fall has been a transition and not without its bumps along the way, however it is inspiring to see us make strides back to our pre-pandemic vitality.
We have collectively made great achievements this fall including:
- Our enrollment is growing and has been positive for the first time in several years.
- CCAP celebrated 630 participants this fall – a 14% increase over the program’s highest recorded enrollment – and a 50% increase in first-year students year over year. For the first time since program inception, campus-wide team efforts and successful fundraising allowed us to accept every eligible applicant.
- Initiated new programs including Physical Therapist Assistant and Surgical Technology with others in the works.
- Successful on-site accreditation visits, including the SACSCOC Surgical Technology visit, which felt more like an overall campus visit and was a great practice run for our decennial visit next October. We also had successful site visits for ACBSP (our Business Programs), MLT, Practical Nursing, and Radiography.
- Expanded community engagement efforts through a series of outreach breakfasts, bus tours, and the opening of the Envision Center.
- Nine new named scholarships valued at over $100,000 have been established since July 1, 2022.
- Much needed improvements to our campus including work on our HVAC units, replacing the windows in the Humanities building atrium, updates to the bathrooms in the Humanities building, construction of a safer roadway to the upper parking lots on the north side of campus, completion of new classrooms and office spaces at the Greenfield Center, and completion of renovations to the basketball, tennis, and yes, pickleball courts.
- Successfully submitted major reports including the Clery Report and the DEQ Stormwater Management Report and implemented new systems such as the Cardinal payroll system.
- Made great strides in completing a draft of the SACSCOC Compliance Certification for our decennial review that will be submitted this winter.
- And, we have had several new colleagues join us. You will have the opportunity to meet them at the General Session on January 3rd.
The agenda for Spring 2023 will begin with a breakfast and the General Session on January 3rd. The college is closed to the public on January 3rd so that all faculty and staff can participate in in-service activities. Included are many of our usual meetings with some special sessions to include:
- Professional development on faculty advising that will focus on using Navigate
- A panel discussion on the role of program heads
- A session with CAEL on engaging students to better utilize our Career Center
- A day of faculty professional development kicked off with a keynote speaker designed toengage faculty in culturally responsive teaching practices then followed by sessionspresented by faculty focused on effective teaching and learning in the classroom
- A college-wide day of service in celebration of Martin Luther King Day
We will continue our tradition of creating a Canvas site that will provide information and materials for the sessions.
Wishing each of you a happy and healthy holiday season with your family and friends. I look forward to seeing you in January, feeling renewed and ready to take the next steps in strengthening our mission and supporting our students.
Sincerely
Dr. Robert H. Sandel
President
Virginia Western Community College
Documents
- In-Service Agenda (PDF)
Presentations and documents from in-service are stored in Canvas.
Reporting Departments
- Dual Enrollment
- Learning Resources
- School of Business, Technology & Trades
- School of Health Professions
- School of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Contact Us
Fishburn Hall F115
540-857-7313
Address:
3093 Colonial Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
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