Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Joyner named to GO Virginia Region 2 Council
Angela Joyner, Radford University’s vice president for economic development and corporate education, has been named to the GO Virginia Region 2 Council. GO Virginia is a bipartisan, business-led economic development initiative that supports efforts to create more high-paying jobs in the commonwealth through collaboration among business, education and government entities.
“I am honored to have been selected to serve on the GO Virginia Board for Region 2,” Joyner said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with fellow board members to advance economic growth and opportunity throughout our region.”
Since joining Radford University in 2016, Joyner has served as interim chief of staff, special advisor to the president on partnerships and executive director of the Center for Career and Talent Development. Prior to that, she worked as a vice president and general manager in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
Spring We Are Radford award winners
The We Are Radford employee recognition program is a monthly honor recognizing an individual
whose daily interactions with students and colleagues represent the best of the Radford University experience.
May winner: Damien Allen, Institutional Research: “Damien is the backbone of Radford University,” his nominator wrote. “What I appreciate the most about him is how expedient and accurate he is in gathering critical data toward moving the university in the right direction, such as contribution to grant proposals, data for our stakeholders, and compiling internal accolades for us to report on points of pride. He is quick to help, dependable and a joy to work with.
June winner: James “Fred” Pierson, RU ABLE: “Fred has served Radford University and the local community for 20 years as director of Radford University Adventure Based Learning Experience (RU ABLE),” his nominatgor wrote. “In that time, RU ABLE has served over 50,000 clients, implemented summer camps for local teens, established inclusive programming for people with disabilities and led team-building initiatives. … Fred has mentored our student facilitators, many of whom have gone onto professional positions in outdoor recreation and leadership. He also provides networking and professional development opportunities by taking students to the Virginia Adventure Education and Association for Experiential Education Mid-Atlantic Regional conferences. Fred exemplifies what it means to be student-centered and a Highlander.”
Employees who have served at least one year at Radford are eligible to be recognized for upholding the university’s core values.
Professor named School of Social Work director
Kerry Vandergrift, a professor of social work, has been named director of the School of Social Work. She first joined Radford in 2011 as an assistant professor, going on to serve as associate professor and interim associate dean for interprofessional education and practice (IPE) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).