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The Radford University Board of Visitors unanimously elected Tyler W. Lester ’15 as rector and Jennifer Wishon Gilbert as vice rector for 2025-26 during a virtual special meeting on June 27.

Lester, of Abingdon, Virginia, served as vice rector in 2024-25 and was re-appointed to the board by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on June 20.

“This board is well positioned to build on the excellent work already underway,” Lester said. “Despite significant challenges, we’ve made real progress by driving efficiencies, limiting tuition increases and focusing on strategic investments consistent with our mission. With a strong commitment from the entire university community along with our state partners, Radford continues to deliver a best-in-value, best-in-class education in the Commonwealth.”

Lester was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the board in 2022 and previously served as chair of the Business Affairs and Audit Committee in 2023-24.

“We have a fantastic board with diverse perspectives and experiences,” Lester added. “I’m looking forward to leveraging those qualities as we work towards enrollment stabilization, our planning process for the Roanoke health sciences campus and other key initiatives in our strategic plan.”

Gilbert, of Mount Jackson, Virginia, is serving her first term on the Board of Visitors.

“Tyler and I are pleased to take on these roles with a well-laid foundation,” Gilbert said. “This is a great group of board members who are passionate about Radford University and want to see it succeed in every way.”

In 2024-25, Gilbert chaired the Enrollment Management and Brand Equity Committee, which has implemented a strong brand identity centered around the “Find Your Place. Here.” tagline.

“We are working to make sure that more students, alumni and Virginians are finding their place at Radford,” Gilbert said. “As a result, the enrollment increases that we’ve seen over the past two years are not an anomaly, and we’re seeing progress while other institutions across the country are struggling. President Bret Danilowicz has surrounded himself with an amazing group of professionals, and I can’t wait to see what the year ahead holds.”

Board of Visitors officers are elected for a one-year term, which runs July 1 to June 30; they can serve up to two consecutive terms.