October 9, 2026

Mark your calendars for these upcoming opportunities and scroll down to read more about them in this issue of CONNECTED.

On Friday, Oct. 2, students in the Physician Assistant program at Radford University Carilion (RUC) in Roanoke celebrated National PA Day by giving back to our communities. Among the activities they participated in were:

The students wore pink to support all of those in the fight against breast cancer. In recognition of their efforts throughout the day, Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb presented a proclamation that Oct. 2, 2026 was PA day in the Star City. The proclamation was presented by the Mayor at that day's First Fridays event, where students also volunteered to raise student society funds to support education and student travel to conferences.

The annual Radford Gives Back event is coming up this month, bringing our communities in Radford and Roanoke together to support local families in need of food assistance.

Our campus in Radford will be hosting the 11th annual Radford Gives Back event, supporting the Bobcat Backpacks Program – this year with a little added friendly competition. The top donors in six categories will receive a trophy and special recognition during the annual packing event and community celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. Categories include: 

Start collecting now to help your group earn bragging rights while making a difference in the Radford community.

You can learn more about donation drop-off times and locations, requested items and volunteer opportunities on the Radford Gives Back webpage. 

In Roanoke, Radford University Carilion will host its seventh annual Radford Gives Back volunteer experience with Feeding Southwest Virginia. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 1-4 p.m., volunteers will do quality assurance by inspecting and sorting packaged food products to control for issues such as shelf life, dented cans, crushed boxes and other superficially damaged food. Employees and students who volunteer with Feeding Southwest Virginia will receive a shirt to wear at the end of their shift. Volunteers can sign up now to participate in this event.

The Radford University Office of the Provost will host Tanya Mitropoulos, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Radford University, as the next RAD Talks speaker on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at Long Way Brewing, 501 2nd St., in Radford.

Mitropoulos will present “Why is Fido stressed? Exploring the transfer of pet owners' job stress to their dogs and cats.” Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

The Radford University Office of Sponsored Programs and Grants Management will host “From Ideas to Funding” on Friday, Oct. 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Highlander Hotel Ballroom CD.

All Radford University faculty (AP and TR) are invited to participate, and they may bring student researchers as well.

At this event, participants can:

The day will include breakfast and lunch with networking opportunities during both, and sessions on success in interdisciplinary grant seeking, turning good ideas into fundable proposals and an introduction to the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC).

Registration is required by Thursday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m.

The Radford University Office of Parking Services is announcing upcoming parking lot closures in support of events taking place on the main campus in Radford.

In support of the Criminal Justice Recruitment Day:

Alternate parking suggestions include, but are not limited to, Lots E, DC, BF, Z, IM and BL. Please see the Radford University parking map for these locations and for additional alternate parking lots for use.

Parking access remains available with a valid disabled parking placard or disabled license plate in handicapped spaces or regular parking spaces.

Parking Services appreciates your understanding and support of these updates and events on campus

As the design team from Perkins & Will moves into the schematic design phase of the Roanoke Health Sciences Building project, they will be on-site about once a month to host workshops and employee information sessions.

At these events, the team, in collaboration with Radford University, will begin digging into more detail based on the work that has already been completed. Topics discussed will include more in-depth discussions on specific adjacencies of areas, departments and programs, and storage and equipment needs. 

Next week, Perkins & Will kicks off these workshops on-site with a focus on project progress updates, spaces included in the building and input on student and public spaces.

It is anticipated that as the design phase develops over the next few months, the new Roanoke building will start to take shape three-dimensionally. Watch for updates on the Roanoke Health Sciences Building webpages as they become available.

The employee information session will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in room 617 at Radford University Carilion. You can also join the discussion via Zoom at https://radford.zoom.us/j/93355080218 with passcode: 836314.

All employees are welcome to participate in this session to hear about the planning and development process, ask questions and engage in hands-on activities focusing on student and public spaces.

The Radford University Division of Student Affairs appreciates our communities’ continued efforts to support the health, well-being and academic success of our students. As part of that effort, Student Affairs is asking for your partnership in encouraging the appropriate use of Student Health resources when students miss class because of illness.

Student Health Services does not excuse class absences. Whether an absence is excused remains at the discretion of the instructor and in accordance with applicable university policies. Student Affairs asks that faculty avoid requiring students to seek a healthcare visit solely to obtain an after-visit summary, provider note or other medical documentation to verify a short-term illness or absence. Students should seek medical care when it is clinically appropriate based on their symptoms and healthcare needs, rather than primarily to obtain documentation for an academic requirement.

Requiring documentation for routine or brief illnesses may unintentionally create barriers for students, place unnecessary demands on healthcare resources and encourage healthcare visits that may not otherwise be needed. The goal is to help ensure that Student Health resources remain available for students who need clinical evaluation and treatment.

When students have a medical appointment, they receive an after-visit summary upon checkout. When clinically appropriate, healthcare providers may provide documentation related to a specific diagnosis or medical condition that includes recommendations for a student to remain out of class, refrain from work or avoid participation in certain activities for a defined period of time. If class attendance is not specifically addressed in the after-visit summary, students may attend class. Students are not required to share this information with faculty but may choose to do so if they believe it supports consideration of an excused absence under the instructor's attendance policy.

To protect student privacy and comply with HIPAA requirements, Student Health can provide only limited information through the student regarding a healthcare encounter.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting our students and promoting the responsible use of healthcare services. Together, we can help students access the care they need while minimizing unnecessary barriers to both healthcare and academic success.

The tables for Radford University employees, offices and departments to participate in this year’s Trick or Treat Trail on Thursday, Oct. 29, will now be located at the Hub at Radford, 1000 East Main St.

At this event, organized by the Radford Chamber of Commerce, businesses along Main Street will hand out candy or other treats to local children. Those who want to participate or would like additional information should contact Sharon Webb by Thursday, Oct. 15. There is no cost to participate.

Please remind your students who are U.S. citizens that they can register to vote using their campus or home address.

You can also share the McConnell Library VOTE! Research Guide with them for tips on how to vote and get informed. The guide focuses on Radford University campuses but is broad enough to apply to locations beyond Radford. The guide also complements information provided through the Highlanders Vote Project. 

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

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Highlanders in the News: Week of Sept. 28, 2026