March 2022 Newsletter

The Center for Opportunity and Social Mobility

The Center for Opportunity and Social Mobility (COSM) was created as a way to support first generation college students at Radford University, which make up over 30% of the student population. Our goal is to connect with trailblazers, pioneers, the courageous students who are among the first in their families to attend (and graduate from) a four-year college.

One of the keys to COSM’s success in connecting with students is the dynamic team of student staff that work in the center. These students not only assist visitors seeking support and resources, but also play a critical role in planning programs and events which ensures a student-centered approach.

Over the course of fall 2021, COSM hosted several major events including a grand opening reception, a luncheon for students and families during Family Weekend, and a Fall Palooza event with fall-themed crafts. These events helped students connect and find a sense of community. The center also partnered with departments across campus to offer workshops focused on financial and academic success to ensure knowledge gaps among first generation college students are filled. At the end of the semester, COSM celebrated National First Gen Day with a week of special events, including a First Gen student panel where several students shared their unique experiences on campus.

Recently the Center gained additional recognition as Radford University announced a top ranking among higher education institutions in Virginia for advancing the social mobility of its students. In its latest Social Mobility Index (SMI) rankings, CollegeNet, Inc., listed Radford at No. 3 in Virginia, making the university one of the top destinations in the commonwealth for students looking to graduate with less debt and pursue careers with higher salaries.

This semester, the Center for Opportunity and Social Mobility will continue to expand their reach by connecting with key members of the Radford University community to offer even more resources and programs to support first gen students.

For more information, follow the Center for Opportunity and Social Mobility on social media!

The Center for Career and Talent Development

The start of a new semester brings a myriad of feelings to students both well into their college career and those just starting it. For many, some of those feelings and thoughts turn to life after school. For those looking to enter the workforce upon graduation, our Spring Career Fair offers you a wide range of companies looking to bring the Highlander talent to their organization. A plethora of internship and graduate school opportunities are on display at our career fair as well. As for our future educators, our Education Fair offers you the chance to look at all the places eager to hire Highlanders to shape the next generation.

In order to prepare our students, our career coaches are offering resume review sessions each Friday leading up both career fairs from 1 – 4 p.m. Students should also remember to register on Handshake for the events that meet their career plans.  

The Center for Accessbility Services

The Center for Accessibility Services (CAS) wants to remind you that we provide accommodations to students with diagnosed disabilities and temporary disabilities. Your student can still register with our offices, complete an interview with one of our Access Specialists, and receive accommodations for academics for the remainder of the semester. So, if your student is someone who has tried to “go it alone” and has a diagnosed disability, please remind them that their intelligence got them into Radford University, and that an accommodation is just a tool on their “utility belt “to help provide access so they can make their own successes!