Month 3 – Settling In and Setting the VIBE
Letter to Faculty & Staff
Dear Colleagues,
Congratulations on a great start to the fall semester! Enrollment is up, energy is high and the VW VIBE is building across campus! Over the past several weeks, I’ve been settling in to both the Roanoke Valley community and the Virginia Western family. Purchasing and moving into a new home has given my husband and me a chance to put down roots and truly become part of the community we now call home.
As I’ve settled into the community, I’ve made it a priority to immerse myself in the life and rhythm of Virginia Western, meeting with colleagues, listening to insights and gaining a clearer picture of the opportunities ahead. From campus events and dual enrollment discussions to my first local advisory and educational foundation board meetings, these connections are helping me to gain a deeper understanding of Virginia Western’s strengths, challenges and exciting opportunities ahead.
Highlights and Themes
As part of my commitment to advancing the College’s mission through professional development, innovation and inclusive engagement, I’ve begun laying the groundwork for two key initiatives: new leadership training opportunities to further develop and empower our campus leaders, and the creation of VIBE team frameworks. Both initiatives are designed to strengthen collaboration, spark creativity and foster a culture of shared purpose across Virginia Western.
The VIBE teams, planned for launch in the spring, will intentionally bring together voices from every part of our community to co-create the future of Virginia Western. This inclusive approach will help us build a collective vision focused on four key areas: Teaching and Learning Innovation, Future-Ready Workforce Development, Operational Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships and Alliances.
Looking Ahead
Over the next two months, my focus will be on hosting a series of formal Listening Conversations with students, faculty, staff, employers, and community partners. These sessions are designed to ensure every voice is heard and valued. You can help by sharing your perspective openly, whether through these formal listening sessions, informal conversations, or even a quick chat on campus. Your input will directly inform our next strategic plan and the work of our VIBE teams. Every insight matters!
Lastly, I welcome your thoughts on these communications. Please let me know if you find them helpful or if there are ways that I might structure them differently to make them more meaningful or accessible. My goal is to keep us all connected and informed as we move forward together!
With appreciation and VW Vibe,
Dr. Treanor
Highlights
- Settled deeper into the life and rhythm of Virginia Western, meeting with colleagues, donors, and regional partners to listen to insights and gain a clearer picture of the opportunities ahead
- Gained a greater understanding of Virginia Western’s strengths, challenges and exciting opportunities ahead in the Local Advisory Board and Educational Foundation board meetings
- Connected with students in meaningful and memorable ways — from cheering together at the Salem Red Sox game to learning about student life at the Warm Welcome and participating in a networking session featuring an inspiring alum speaker
- Met with College, VCCS, and partners college leadership to strengthen academic pathways through dual enrollment, transfer opportunities, and partnerships with four-year university partners
- Elevated Virginia Western’s visibility and regional impact through media interviews, participation in the Mayor’s Summit, and collaborative meetings with partners in neighboring localities
- Began laying the groundwork for two major initiatives: (1) a new leadership development program to empower and support campus leaders, and (2) the creation of VIBE teams — cross-campus groups launching in spring to co-create Virginia Western’s future
- Further developed the VIBE (Visionary Innovation and Bold Engagement) framework to focus on four key strategic areas:
- Teaching and Learning Innovation
- Future-Ready Workforce Development
- Operational Innovation
- Strategic Partnerships and Alliances
