February 9, 2024

All Radford University students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a survey to gather feedback on how well the Radford University Libraries are serving the needs of their users. The online survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and will be available until Feb. 16.

Highlanders who complete the survey will be entered in a drawing to win a pair of Beats Studio Buds!

For more information, contact User Experience and Assessment Librarian Christina Manzo.

The Office of Faculty Development invites all faculty, staff and students to the next installment of the Common Grounds discussion series on Monday, Feb. 19, from 3-4 p.m. in Information Literacy Classroom B of McConnell Library.

The prompt for this semester’s second conversation will be, “Is Radford a safe space for expression?” This in-person event includes free coffee, tea and bakery snacks.

Common Grounds is sponsored by the Civil Discourse and Freedom of Expression Working Group, which aims to build the university community’s capacity to collaborate across differences.

“A great conversation about issues that matter includes differing views, deep listening, learning from each other and developing skills in expressing ourselves,” said Heather Keith, Ph.D., executive director of faculty development and professor of philosophy.

The topic of January’s first Common Grounds discussion was “What does a peaceful, durable resolution look like in Gaza, and how do we get there?” Participants began by contributing suggestions for flow, such as recognition of social cues or allowing participants to speak uninterrupted. The result was a student-led conversation that focused on ethical consumption practices; trust or skepticism of media or social media sources; and actions that Americans can take to ensure a future of peace.

“Though it’s a difficult and painful topic, we worked through ideas together and found some common ground,” Keith said. “Those are hallmarks of a meaningful discussion: the hard work of expression, listening and holding divergent viewpoints in the same space, but all with the goal of coming together around ideas of what we could do as individuals and as a community to contribute to a peaceable solution.”

Common Grounds will shift to Radford University Carilion on Wednesday, March 27, from 3-4 p.m. for a discussion on issues related to healthcare.

NEW Leadership® Virginia is a nonpartisan six-day residential summer program that will take place from June 9-14 through the Gender and Policy (GAP) Center at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government in Arlington, Virginia.

The program fee, including the cost of housing and meals, is covered by the GAP Center. Applicants are asked to secure a $500 sponsorship from their university or college to help defray costs. The application deadline is March 1.

No matter how old you are or how much you earn, managing your financial well-being today while saving for the future can be a challenge. The Radford University Human Resources Office would like to remind all employees that there are steps you can take today to pursue your definition of retirement success.

TIAA is the 403b vendor for Radford University. They offer savings opportunities, as well as financial guidance. Our representative, Tim Davis, holds in-person consultations on campus. Upcoming sessions will be held on Feb. 13 and March 14. In addition, Zoom and phone options are available. 

Visit TIAA.org and the Retirement planning basics page to learn about:

Lee J. Svete begins his duties as Radford University’s director of Career and Talent Development on Feb. 10.

Svete will provide strategic leadership and direction to a team responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating career and talent development opportunities, programs and events that connect employer partners with the university’s students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lee to the Radford University team,” said Jeanne Mekolichick, Ph.D., associate provost for research, faculty success and strategic initiatives. “His proven track record in the career enterprise and commitment to innovative career development strategies will provide invaluable support as our students navigate their first destinations and professional pathways.”

Svete arrives at Radford from Emory & Henry College after serving as director of the Van Vlissengen Center for Career and Professional Development since 2020. There, he led the college’s first comprehensive career center. He built an infrastructure that engaged 100% of the student population and achieved a 95% placement rate for the Class of 2023.

Prior to his time at Emory & Henry, Svete was associate vice president/executive director of the Office of Personal and Career Development at Wake Forest University; served as associate vice president/director of The Career Center at the University of Notre Dame; and directed career services offices at Colgate University and St. Lawrence University.

Svete earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Wooster and a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Bowling Green State University.