President Hemphill hosts forums for faculty and students
President Brian O. Hemphill continued his series of open forums with the campus community this week as students, faculty and staff settled in to the 2018-19 academic year.
On Sept. 5, President Hemphill hosted a forum for teaching and research faculty, as well as administrative and professional faculty. He opened the session highlighting recent accomplishments, such as the university’s Fall 2019 planned merger with the Jefferson College of Health Sciences and a successful move-in weekend for new students. He also addressed challenges that may lie ahead, on and off Radford’s campus. He then turned the forum over to questions from the faculty in attendance.
During the hour-long forum, President Hemphill responded to questions from faculty and discussed the university’s competency-based Innovative Mobile Personalized Accelerated Competency Training (IMPACT) program, the merger with the Jefferson College of Health Sciences, updates on the hiring search for several vacant on-campus leadership positions, international student recruitment, the record $15.2 million raised by University Advancement for fiscal year 2018 and how those funds are being utilized, the university’s participation in upcoming meetings on the revitalization of the city of Radford’s downtown area, future growth of the university’s student population, student and faculty morale, the university’s branding campaign, space utilization of the campus during the summer months and retention efforts.
Throughout the discussion, President Hemphill emphasized the importance of the Radford family, the university’s commitment to diversity and civility and the critical role faculty play in supporting students along their academic journey and challenging their worldview.
The following day, President Hemphill hosted a forum for students. He opened the dialogue by screening two Radford University videos that highlight the Highlander experience, from move-in day to commencement.
Students asked questions regarding undergraduate research opportunities and continued support in that area, resources provided for first-generation students and students who may be food insecure or homeless, how to enhance communication between campus stakeholders, including students, faculty and staff, and university administration and ideas to increase the number of campus-wide activities throughout the year.
President Hemphill also discussed the proposed Center for Adaptive Learning and Creativity, a $95 million project that would develop further interdisciplinary work between the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Waldron College of Health and Human Services. The proposed building would feature collaborative lab spaces, academic spaces and classroom spaces.
President Hemphill expressed his appreciation to students for their time and perspectives, expressing that their insight is tremendously helpful to him and members of the leadership council.
“We don’t take these conversations lightly,” he continued. “They inform much of what we do as we begin to work on your behalf and on behalf of everyone at this institution.”
President Hemphill reminded both faculty and students of important upcoming events:
Sept. 14 (rescheduled for Oct. 3), a momentous occasion in front of Kyle Hall
Oct. 19, President Hemphill’s State of the University Address in Bondurant Auditorium