June 19, 2026

Sarah Showalter ’26 has been named a Virginia Governor’s Fellow for this summer. Sarah is a May 2026 Radford University graduate with a degree in political science. She was involved with the Student Government Association at Radford and, most recently, interned with Botetourt County Economic Development. The Virginia Governor’s Fellows program offers participants a substantive, eight‑week experience within the Office of the Governor.

The Spring 2026 issue of Radford Magazine is now available and highlights how creativity and innovation come alive at Radford University.

From reimagining healthcare education and inspiring technological ingenuity in our makerspaces to fueling curiosity through hands-on, immersive learning and finding motivation in the entrepreneurship of our alumni, Highlanders are shaping tomorrow – together.

The Radford University Division of Student Affairs will offer a Mental Health First Aid Training on Wednesday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Artis Center 310.

The training is an evidence-based, early-intervention course. The goal will be to learn the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as provide initial support until individuals are connected with appropriate professional help.

This course is a hybrid model and requires completion of an online component prior to the in-person session.

Instructors for the course will include Radford University College of Education and Human Development professor Christine Powell and College of Nursing professor Dommetae Sohrabi. Caroline Mullins from New River Valley Community Services will assist with organizing the training and covering the cost.

The registration deadline is Friday, June 19, at 5 p.m. Please note this session is for Radford University employees only. Remember to provide your email address when signing up to ensure you receive access to the required online learning portion of the training. The online portion of the training should take approximately two hours to complete and needs to be completed by Tuesday, July 14, at 5 p.m.

Radford University has a new website for accessing PhotoShelter, the university’s photo storage system. Please begin using radforduniversity.photoshelter.site going forward. In addition to the URL change, users can expect a more modern, accessible and structured experience when searching for and accessing university photos. 

You may still access the old portal for now, but the Radford University Office of Marketing and Communication is asking everyone to switch to the new URL as soon as possible. If you have any trouble logging in or accessing content, email Marketing and Communication at marcom@radford.edu for assistance.

Join the Radford University Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning from Maker Mondays on Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. throughout the summer in the CITL iLab (McConnell Library 270) for a summer of creativity, connection and community.

Each week, you’ll have the chance to explore a different crafting technique while creating hearts to share. Make one to take home and another to donate as part of the Highlander Hearts initiative – a partnership with the Office of Alumni Relations to welcome new students to campus on the first day of classes in August by gifting them a handmade heart.

No registration or crafting experience needed, and all skill levels are welcome. Bring your lunch and come to relax, learn something new, connect with others and help create a warm welcome for incoming Highlanders.

Summer schedule for Maker Mondays:

The Radford University Office of Human Resources would like to remind employees that the Supervisor/Employee Discussion step for administrative/professional (A/P) faculty performance evaluations is due in the PageUp Performance Management system today, Friday, June 19.

Once the discussion between supervisor and employee is completed and acknowledged by the supervisor in the system, employees need to acknowledge that they have reviewed their evaluation within the system by Tuesday, June 30 to complete the performance cycle.

The next A/P performance cycle will run from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. In preparation, supervisors are asked to review position descriptions, telework and alternate work schedule agreements and submit any necessary updates.

If you have questions about a performance plan, contact hr@radford.edu and include “Performance Management” in the subject line of your email.

For information on performance management, including training resources for how to interact with the PageUp system, please visit the Performance Management webpage.

Libraries are not just books. But University Libraries at Radford University really does love books.

If you’re looking for a fresh new list of titles to choose from, check out some suggestions from Bookish, the weekly reading group at McConnell Library. If you’re interested in joining Bookish, stop by any Thursday from 2-4 p.m. Share your thoughts about your current reading and get ideas to add to your “to-be-read” pile.

You can also grab a new-to-you book from the McConnell Library Free Book Shelf anytime the library is open. If you work at the Roanoke campus, mark your calendar for Thursday, July 16, from noon to 1 p.m., for the RUC Library Book Swap. Bring books you’ve already read (or decided not to read) and swap them for new-to-you books.

Find out how Radford students, faculty and staff are finding their place and shaping tomorrow – together.

Board of Visitors elects rector and vice rector

Highlanders in the News: Week of June 8, 2026

OT students gain professional, cultural insights on Thailand trip

Radford Athletics announces new donor recognition opportunities

CEHD again earns CAEP accreditation

Highlander Highlights: Week of June 1, 2026