August 21, 2026

As we prepare to welcome new and returning students for the fall semester, let’s take a look at some fun facts about our newest class of students joining the Highlander family.

Radford University and the City of Radford invite you to attend the third annual Radford Community Fest on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

This year's festivities feature 140 vendor booths, eight food trucks, two stages, a free Kids' Zone, street performers, 39 Main Street merchants and one really great time. This event is free and open to the public. Let's kick off the year with some fun and community!

Radford University will host a booth and welcome Highlanders at the upcoming Salem RidgeYaks game on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 6:35 p.m. vs. the Wilson Warbirds. This game is Military Appreciation Night with the RidgeYaks. We are excited to be part of the action and invite employees, alumni and their loved ones to join us for America’s national pastime.

Radford is proud to support this meaningful night honoring our military communities and families.

The Salem RidgeYaks are offering discounted tickets to Radford University employees and alumni, so stop by to say hello, grab some Radford swag and enjoy a night at the ballpark.

All Radford University employees are invited to the dedication and reception for the new Virginia Credit Union Financial Success Center on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m. in the second-floor atrium of Kyle Hall on the main campus in Radford. The recommended attire is business.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP online by Wednesday, Sept. 2.

The Virginia Credit Union Financial Success Center at Radford University is a new campus-based hub dedicated to empowering students and community members with the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve lifelong financial well-being. 

Established through a transformative $2.5 million gift from Virginia Credit Union, the center will provide personalized financial coaching, educational workshops and practical resources focused on budgeting, saving, credit building, student loan management, investing and major life milestones. Housed within the Davis College of Business and Economics, the center reflects a shared commitment to student success, financial empowerment and strengthening communities. Learn more about the new center and the gift from Virginia Credit Union in this story on the Radford University website.

For more information, email advevents@radford.edu or call 540-831-7757.

The Radford University Office of the Provost will host Ashley Palazzo, university archivist/head of Archives & Special Collections with University Libraries, as the next RAD Talks speaker on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. at McConnell Library in the Andrew Ross Student Art Gallery.

Palazzo will present “The History of Radford University through Artifacts.” She will use McConnell Library’s archives and special collections to talk about the artifacts that have shaped Radford University into what it is today (and what it was yesterday). Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

The Radford University Office of Information Technology Services has now enabled Zoom AI Companion for users, bringing powerful productivity features to Zoom meetings. AI Companion can help generate meeting summaries, capture key discussion points, identify action items and assist participants in staying informed even if they join late or miss a meeting.

AI features may not be appropriate for every meeting – for example, meetings of a confidential nature, such as candidate interviews, employee performance discussions and other personnel-related conversations.

Hosts must choose to start AI Companion at the beginning of each meeting.

You can learn more about the available features and how to turn AI Companion off by reviewing the knowledge base article, “Managing Zoom AI Companion Settings.”

Perkins & Will is facilitating a series of virtual meetings over the next two weeks with stakeholders for the new Roanoke health sciences building. The goal of these conversations is to validate space needs and quantities as we shift out of the pre-design phase and into the design phase. They will continue to have workshops, information sessions and conversations with all the academic programs and support services departments throughout the design phase, so stay tuned for the next engagement opportunity.  

Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve your campus community while building relationships and gaining student engagement experience? The University Conduct Board offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety, integrity and well-being of our community, giving students and employees a voice in important decisions.

As a board member, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking and leadership skills, engage in meaningful conversations about accountability and fairness and play an active role in creating a safer, stronger campus community.

Drop in to Heth Hall 207 on one of the three dates below to learn more

The Radford University Artis College of Science and Technology will host Science Expo 2026 on Friday, Sept. 4, from 2-4 p.m. in Reed Hall and the Center for the Sciences on the main campus in Radford.

This event provides the opportunity for Highlanders to meet fellow science students and faculty, while enjoying demonstrations of glass blowing, flint knapping and cyber defense.

It will also include a chance to participate in a plant raffle, enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream and tour the planetarium, greenhouse and dinosaur museum. Snacks, free swag and activities with great prizes will also be offered. 

Radford University has partnered with the Educational Testing Center at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) to provide proctored testing services for Radford students who are approved for testing accommodations at RHEC.

Students requesting testing accommodations should continue submitting requests through Access CAS, selecting RHEC as their testing location. Faculty need to approve requests at least 48 business hours in advance. Requests submitted or approved less than 48 business hours in advance cannot be accommodated, and students and faculty will need to make alternative proctoring arrangements that include the student’s approved testing accommodations. After faculty approval, Student Affairs in Roanoke will coordinate testing appointments with the RHEC Educational Testing Center. Faculty should provide exam details, including accommodations, testing instructions, permitted materials and exam access, 48 business hours in advance of the test.

Testing is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Room 413 at RHEC. Students are required to follow all Testing Center check-in procedures, present a photo ID and attend their scheduled appointments. All testing sessions are recorded to maintain testing integrity.

Radford University Faculty Development, through the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL), will offer The Chair’s Academy beginning this fall. The series will provide professional development for department chairs, school directors and program directors.

The inaugural program will focus on “Case Studies in Academic Leadership: Lessons from The Chair,” a six-episode 2021 Netflix program starring Sandra Oh as Professor Ji-Yoon Kim. In the show, Oh portrays a new English department chair at fictional Pembroke University. She immediately finds herself embroiled in a controversial personnel issue marked by competing faculty interests, student concerns, budget pressure and higher administration demands.

Each episode in the series will be treated as a case study at in-person meetings, with participants analyzing the decisions, actions and issues presented while considering research and writing about effective department and program leadership.

The first in-person meeting will be on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at noon in the CITL iLab. At this meeting, the group will establish an interpretive framework and develop a viewing and meeting schedule. No advance viewing is required for this meeting.

To view “The Chair,” a Netflix or Apple TV subscription is recommended. At the first meeting, participants will discuss other viewing options. Readings will be provided.

Looking to expand your technology skills this fall? Academic Technologies is offering training sessions throughout fall 2026 on topics like D2L, Qualtrics, Excel, Word and creating accessible documents. These sessions are open to all employees and students.

Training will take place in Walker Hall 275 on the main campus, and participants may also join remotely. Visit Academic Technologies’ training site or contact Academic Technologies for additional details and registration information.

Radford’s University Libraries will return to its fall hours schedule beginning Monday, Aug. 24, the first day of the semester. See below for the hours on main campus and at Radford University Carilion (RUC) in Roanoke.

Contact McConnell Library
- In person at a service desk
- Via 24/7 Ask McConnell Librarian chat
- By email at frontdesk@radford.eduor refdesk@radford.edu
- Via a research consultation either in-person or by Zoom

Contact RUC Library
- In person at the desk
- Via 24/7 Ask an RUC Librarian chat
- By email at ruclibrary@radford.edu
- Contact an RUC librarian directly

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

Radford University selects Ashley Wells as assistant vice president for health sciences

Radford history professor helps bring Theodore Roosevelt to life

Recent graduate Felixia Brooks finds harmony in music therapy

SCHEV approves new graduate certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling

SURF researcher takes on gender bias in sport management study

Radford University, Pulaski County host event exploring solutions for better health outcomes in Southwest Virginia

Local high school students secure college admission before senior year begins

Radford’s newly elevated competitive cheer team takes home a trio of trophies

Highlanders in the News: Week of Aug. 3, 2026