August 28, 2026

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

With the passing of Dolly Parton this week, we remember and are grateful for the special video message she delivered to our graduates at the Spring Commencement Ceremony this past May. See what she said to our graduating students and the entire Highlander community in our Spring Commencement recap article.

Radford University employees and students are invited to participate in AdventureWorks: An Outdoor Economy Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Wednesday, Sept. 9.

This is an opportunity to connect, engage and take part in a meaningful shared experience across our university community and alongside regional partners. Space is limited, and registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible. The registration deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 1, by 5 p.m.

The Office of Marketing and Communication (Marcom) is looking forward to working with our campus partners this academic year as the university focuses on bringing the strategic plan to life.

As you consider projects for which you will need Marcom assistance, please remember to submit your Lytho requests at least three weeks in advance. Due to the volume of projects already in our work queue, we are not able to guarantee meeting deadlines for requests that are submitted inside of three weeks. For such late requests, we will contact you to adjust the deadline. Large, complex project or event requests that require planning meetings and multiple deliverables should be submitted with even more lead time, if possible.

Providing all details and related content to the Lytho request at the time of submission is the most efficient way to ensure your project is completed on time. Missing content and details may result in timeline adjustments.

Following is a good rule of thumb to apply: When a project or event requiring marketing and/or communication support hits your calendar, please be sure it “hits our calendar” by submitting your Lytho request.

If you have an unexpected urgent need for marketing and communication support, please contact our office at marcom@radford.edu or call 540-831-5182.

With a total of 80 gaming stations, a competition arena, media space and team rooms, Radford University’s new Esports Center is open for business in Peters Hall 121 on the main campus.

This 10,000-square-foot will be among the premier collegiate esports facilities on the East Coast, serving our varsity esports teams and club participants as well as our general student population. The facility will be open noon to midnight daily and remains free for students, who can access the community space by swiping their university IDs at the front desk.

The new Esports Center will also create experiential learning opportunities for our students. From leadership development and media production to event management and student employment, the center will support student success in numerous ways.

It is a good example of Radford University's commitment to meeting students where their interests are while creating pathways for engagement, belonging and achievement.

Esports will offer tours of the facility during and after Club Fair, which will take place on on Friday, Aug. 28, from 2-5 p.m. 

Radford graphic design student Kaylee Ligon currently has an exhibition of photographs in the Andrew Ross Gallery in the McConnell Library. Ligon took Contemporary Photography (ARTS 475) with Sal Privitera, and her final project included a gallery map of how she’d display her work. Privitera encouraged her to submit a proposal for her own show at the Ross Gallery, which was accepted.

The image shown here from the exhibit is just one of a dozen or so hanging in the gallery now. A reception will be held on Friday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. The show runs through Friday, Oct. 2.

The Radford University Office of Marketing and Communication will offer professional headshot photos on the main campus in Radford and at Radford University Carilion in Roanoke.

These sessions are available for new employees who need a photo for the online directory, as well as for current employees who would like to update their existing photos.

On the main campus, employees may stop by the temporary photo studio in Martin 109, located within the Office of Marketing and Communication suite on the first floor of Martin Hall, during either of the following times:

In Roanoke, photos will be taken in the third-floor boardroom at Radford University Carilion, 101 Elm Ave. in downtown Roanoke. The boardroom is located in the Administration Suite off the third-floor lobby to the right of the Information Desk. Reservations are required for this location. You can reserve your spot online. Photo sessions will be offered in Roanoke on the following dates:

The Office of Marketing and Communication schedules designated photo days at the beginning of each semester, along with makeup opportunities later in the semester. Due to year-round demand for photography services, we are unable to accommodate individual headshot drop-ins outside of these designated times.

On Aug. 25, Jenene Lewis began a new role as the FOIA and governance officer in the Radford University Office of the President. Employee relations questions and issues will be managed collaboratively by the Office of Human Resources with the oversight of Leah Taylor, assistant vice president for Human Resources, until a new employee relations manager is hired.

Employees needing assistance with employee relations, performance management, workplace accommodations, employment-based immigration and search committee training should contact the Office of Human Resources’ main phone at 540-831-5008 or email employeerelations@radford.edu. All inquiries will be treated with the utmost discretion and confidentiality and shared only with Human Resources staff who have a legitimate business need to know in order to respond appropriately. Requests will be assigned to the appropriate Human Resources staff member based on the nature of the matter.

The Office of Human Resources is grateful to Lewis for her outstanding leadership and dedicated service to their team and the university, and the Highlander community wishes her all the best in her new role.

The new concert season opens on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 12:15 p.m. with two performances by Erica Sipes. She will be the first performer when the Midday Music Series resumes in the atrium of the Artis Center. This half-hour performance will provide a taste of her evening concert entitled “With Regards,” a piano recital that highlights – through music and words – the regard that composers and pianists have had for one another through the centuries. You can catch that concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Davis Performance Hall in the Covington Center. Both shows are free and open to the public.

Want to sharpen your communication skills, better understand how to work with Marketing and Communication (Marcom) or become a stronger advocate for Radford University? The new Communication Champions Program is designed to help you do just that.

Launching this fall and open to all employees, the program will offer a mix of 45-minute core classes and electives focused on practical skills you can put to work right away. Topics will include working effectively with Marcom and using Lytho, understanding the university’s identity and brand from both visual and writing perspectives, creating stronger content and more.

Complete the core courses and select electives to earn a Communication Champions certificate—and gain the knowledge and tools to help tell Radford’s story with greater confidence and consistency.

Watch for more information this fall, including course offerings and registration details.

Radford University’s Connected Communities is excited to announce the launch of Safe Zone Level I on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Open to all students and employees, this self-paced online portion of the training is designed to increase awareness, understanding and support of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities while providing practical tools for fostering affirming and inclusive spaces.

To enroll, log in to D2L, navigate to the Discover tab, and search for “Safe Zone.” Once enrolled, participants may complete the training at their own pace.

Safe Zone Level II will launch in fall 2027 and will build upon the concepts introduced in Level I through additional learning opportunities and a hybrid training format.

Join Provost Bethany Usher and Heather Keith to read and discuss “The Caring University” by Kevin McClure on the following Wednesdays this fall: Sept. 16 and 30 and Oct. 14.

One of the pillars of Radford University’s new Strategic Plan is to create and maintain a “culture of care” for all members of our community. In this book, McClure describes six organizational changes to create a university dedicated to creating working conditions and cultures in which all employees can flourish.

Books are available for free in the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (McConnell Library 270). By registering, you agree to attend at least two meetings. Lunch will be served. While in-person attendance is encouraged, a Zoom option will be available.

TIAA will have a financial consultant available on campus from Tuesday, Sept. 15, to Thursday, Sept. 17. Whether you’re just beginning your career or actively planning for retirement, a one-on-one session can help you develop a strategy to meet your financial goals.

To schedule an appointment, call 800-732-8353 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Be sure to mention that you would like to meet with Mr. Sosa at Radford University on the above dates.

Radford University’s Office of Accounts Payable will offer Emburse (Chrome River) Travel Training and Food and Beverage Policy Training in September for employees.

The September 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 Department of Music is proud to announce that Radford University is now the only NASM-accredited institution in Virginia that offers all five Bachelor of Music degrees: music education, music therapy, music business, performance and composition.

This milestone gives aspiring musicians an unmatched opportunity to pursue their passion across a comprehensive range of programs and further establishes Radford as a leading destination for the arts.

Radford’s Dining Services is bringing exciting changes to campus this fall, based on feedback from students and employees.

Highlights include:

And by popular demand, Faculty Fridays are back, offering employees another opportunity to connect with students and colleagues over a meal.

Dining Services appreciates the feedback that helped shape these enhancements and looks forward to welcoming the campus community back this fall.

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

Appalachian Power Foundation invests $100,000 to advance rural health
at Radford University

Highlander Highlights:
Week of Aug. 24, 2026