January 30, 2026

Radford University will receive a $14,000 grant to support the Highlander Pantry, which offers all members of the Highlander family discreet access to free food items. This grant is provided by the Hunger Free Campus pilot initiative passed by the legislature during last year’s General Assembly session.

The priority deadline for students to apply for donor-funded scholarships is Thursday, Feb. 5. Please remind students returning to Radford for the 2026-27 academic year that they can apply now by visiting radford.academicworks.com. For the most consideration, students should also complete the FAFSA.

Radford University’s Division of Student Affairs in Roanoke is now accepting entries for the 2026 Tartan 5K T-shirt design contest from current Radford University students. Please let students know about this great opportunity. The student with the winning design will receive a $300 cash prize, among other benefits.

Deadline for entries is Monday, March 2, and must be submitted via the online entry form.

For complete contest rules, email ruccampuslife@radford.edu or check social media at @ruccampuslife.

To help protect university systems and data, Radford University uses Duo two-factor authentication when signing in to many university services. Duo adds an extra layer of security and helps prevent unauthorized access if a password is ever compromised.

Duo is making an update, and starting Feb. 2, older versions of the Duo Mobile app may no longer work. If your app isn’t updated before then, you may have trouble logging in.

What you should do:

Most phones update apps automatically, but the Radford University Office of Information Technology Services recommends following these steps to ensure the update is applied.

Taking a minute to do this now helps ensure uninterrupted access later.

What happens if you don’t update the app?

Beginning in February, Duo login approvals may fail. This could affect your ability to access services that require Duo. Updating ahead of time avoids these issues.

If you have questions or need assistance updating Duo, the Technology Assistance Center (TAC), Radford University’s IT Help Desk, is happy to help. They can assist with:

Thank you for helping keep our university systems secure.

University Libraries want to give you an iPad. No, really.

Take a moment to take University Libraries’ User Satisfaction Survey and tell them what you think about your experiences with your library. You’ll be entered into a drawing for an 11th-generation iPad.

The survey will be open from Monday, Feb. 9, through Friday, Feb. 20. You can fill out the survey online or by visiting McConnell Library on the main campus or the RUC Library in Roanoke.

The McGlothlin Center for Global Education and Engagement has international internship options available to Radford University students. Length, subject areas and locations vary. Options include study and internship programs through partner AIFS Abroad, as well as many other partners.

Students are encouraged to contact and meet with education abroad advisor Zoe Thornhill to evaluate their options and get more information.

Radford University’s Department of Sustainability will host a one-day mini conference, “Conservation: Community and Competing Interests,” on Monday, April 13, at Selu Conservancy. This event is free and open to the public.

The purpose of this event is to provide an educational opportunity for students, employees and community members to learn more about public lands, competing land-use interests and important work being done in these areas. The vision is to educate others about conservation and what public lands are, the complexities surrounding land use, management/protective agencies and indigenous values and knowledge.

Stephanie Smith, a global water and climate strategist, transboundary facilitator and cross-cultural bridge builder, will serve as the keynote speaker. Smith has more than 20 years of experience advancing collaborative solutions for people and the planet. She is the founder of Zephyr Mangata, a consulting firm that supports organizations and communities through strategy, facilitation and the design of impactful convenings. Smith is also co-director of AquaVox, an international initiative that empowers youth to use media and storytelling to catalyze collective action on water and climate challenges. She serves as strategic advisor to the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE), where she supports organizational growth, facilitates annual meetings across Africa and guides advisory groups and the African Women in Science program focused on the African Great Lakes (seven lakes, 10 countries). Her recent work includes workshops and convenings in Hungary, Australia, Zambia and Rwanda. A former vice president at Alliance for the Great Lakes, Smith speaks internationally on conservation, governance and civic engagement, including at COP26 and the UN Water Conference.

The McGlothlin Center for Global Education and Engagement congratulates Vesna Costello, chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy and assistant professor, for being selected as the inaugural Global Faculty Fellow.

In this capacity, Costello will be assisting with international initiatives aimed at globalizing the campus, including identifying international grants, developing international academic collaborations and promoting international events around campus. If you would like to meet with Costello to discuss potential international collaborations, you can email her at vcoticcostel@radford.edu.

Radford University’s Office of Accounting Services will offer Emburse (Chrome River) Travel Training and Food and Beverage Policy Training in February for employees.

The February training sessions will be:

To attend a session, email travel@radford.edu with the subject line “Training.” In the body of the email, indicate if you would like to attend the Emburse (Chrome River) Travel training session or the Food and Beverage Policy training. You may also indicate in the email that you would like to attend both sessions.

Each Zoom session is limited to 20 participants. Once your email request is approved, you will receive a link to attend the requested session.

The Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact has a podcast called “Hope Happenings,” and the department is interested in featuring acts of great character and service on campus.

If you are involved in (or witness) activities that have a positive impact, contact Heather Keith for more information or to report acts of hope and character.

University Libraries is offering trials of two AI research tools, Consensus and Scite, which will run through Thursday, Feb. 12, via Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium (VIVA). Click on a link below to try out these tools online. Participants can sign up for accounts on either platform using their institutional email addresses, which will give them access to the trial on or off campus networks. Trial access is also automatic on any on-campus network or VPN – no account needed.

Please share your feedback about each of the trials by Feb. 12.

Did you know there’s an art gallery in the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity? The 302 Gallery, overseen by the Radford University College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), is open Thursday through Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. and currently features “An Introspective Retrospective” of works by Lynchburg artist Danielle Doctor. There's a wide variety of styles and media in the exhibition, and the entire Highlander community is invited to come by and take it in. The exhibition will run through May 2.

The Radford University Office of Student Involvement has set the date for the Family and Friends Weekend 2026, which will take place from Friday to Sunday, Sept. 18-20.

This signature weekend brings families and supporters to campus to experience the spirit of Radford. Student Involvement is inviting all Radford University departments and offices to be part of this event. With approximately 1,500 guests expected, this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your programs, connect with families and highlight the incredible work happening at Radford. For inspiration, information about the  2025 Family and Friends Weekend is available on the website.

Interested in hosting an event? Send your event information to jrentschler@radford.edu  by Friday, May 1.

Student Involvement would like to encourage participation in the Saturday Festival on Heth Lawn, which will take place on Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (weather permitting). Whether through tabling, hands-on activities or interactive displays, this high-energy event is a great way to engage families. You’re welcome to simply say “we’re in!” now by emailing jrentschler@radford.edu and finalizing your activity details later. Space will be reserved for your office or department.

Student Involvement thanks you for your partnership in making Family and Friends Weekend a meaningful and memorable experience. Your involvement truly makes a difference for our students and their families.

The Radford University College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) will host saxophonist Sheldon Johnson, performing “Voices from Across the Diaspora: Music from the Souls of Black Folk” on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m.

This free concert will be held in the Davis Performance Hall in the Covington Center. Piano accompaniment will be provided by Erica Sipes.

Radford University’s Department of Academic Technologies is offering training opportunities on the following topics in February. Training is open to all employees and students. All sessions are in Walker Hall 275 on the main campus, with the option to join remotely. Click on a link below to learn more and register for the training.

The Radford University Center for Career and Talent Development is hosting the Spring 2026 Career Fair on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 4-6 p.m. in Kyle Hall 340.

If your office or department would like to participate in this event, contact Paula McGraw.

Radford University’s campus farmers’ markets will resume in the spring 2026 semester. Mark your calendars for Wednesdays, Feb. 4, March 11, and April 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hurlburt Student Center, aka “the Bonnie,” on the main campus in Radford.

Vendors will be inside the Bonnie and outside on the plaza. Live music will be provided by Tell Jenny on Feb. 4 and Soulacoustix on March 11. Join us to support your local Radford Farmers Market vendors.

The “Alchemy of Gravity” exhibition currently in the Art Museum at the Covington Center was featured in a story on WVTF radio from reporter Roxy Todd on Jan. 27. The story features artist Jane Cheek, art museum manager Theresa Rykaczewski and students Calvin Dean, Megan Fonseth and John Godfrey.

McConnell Library on the main campus will be hosting live music in the Bird Room on Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. during spring semester. Music Mondays is hosted by the Archives and Special Collections unit and features a different musician and often a different musical genre each week. The schedule includes current and retired employees, students and members of the public, presenting bluegrass, jazz standards, rock, folk, classical guitar and more. Below is the schedule for the spring semester.

March 23: Tim Thornton
March 30: John Hildreth
April 6: TBA
April 13: Dr. Moon
April 20: Johnny Cake and the Lunch Truck

The Radford University Center for Career and Talent Development is hosting three career fairs and an etiquette dinner this spring and needs your help in stocking our Career Closet. The Career Closet provides free professional attire to Radford University students so they can feel confident and career-ready.

Items needed include new or gently used professional clothing like suits, blazers, pants, skirts, dresses, dress shirts, blouses, belts and ties. Items should be clean and ready to wear.

To donate, you can drop off items Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the third floor of Russell Hall.

Monetary gifts are also accepted and allow us to purchase items in sizes and styles needed.

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