Presidential Transition

 

 

 

Upon the announcement of President Eddie N. Moore, Jr.’s retirement on June 30, 2010, Virginia State University’s Board of Visitors immediately turned its attention to selecting a dynamic successor to carry on the University’s mission, build upon President Moore’s legacy and advance a vision for ensuring Virginia State’s position as a leader among HBCUs, land grant universities and as an institution that excels in teaching and research.

In December 2009, the Board appointed Dr. Keith T. Miller to become VSU’s 13^th President. Dr. Miller brings to VSU an impressive career of both scholarly and administrative achievement, most notably from Lock Haven (PA) University, where he served as President before accepting the Virginia State position. Throughout his career, Dr. Miller has demonstrated a steadfast duty to upholding the ideals of higher education. His commitment includes a promise not only to recruit the best possible students who can benefit from a VSU education, but also to provide those students with the necessary resources to ensure they are prepared for professional careers or advanced education.

Virginia State University has carved for itself a unique and broad niche among the nation’s institutes of higher education. Many of its students’ families do not have a generational history of college attendance. Virginia State offers these first generation students the opportunity to not only fulfill their dreams, but also the aspirations of both their nuclear and extended families.

Because of its myriad academic offerings, and as one of the Commonwealth’s two land-grant institutions, Virginia State affords its students a vast array of disciplines to explore, in technical fields, the sciences and in the arts and humanities. Finally, as a mid-size, state supported, suburban institution, Virginia State provides an affordable education and fosters a unique sense of the larger community, while encouraging individual success. The University develops students holistically through numerous extra-curricular opportunities and nurtures students’ success in a safe, bucolic environment.

Dr. Miller is arriving at Virginia State University at a unique time in the school’s 128-year history. The University is experiencing unprecedented growth in academic programs, capital projects and student enrollment. The school’s reputation continues to soar among peer institutions and reviewing entities. Academic schools and programs are achieving national and international recognition and accreditations.

 

This academic, enrollment and physical growth is tempered by the economic realities facing Virginia State as the University, the Commonwealth and the nation struggle with the worst recession in over 80 years. VSU’s budget has undergone dramatic reductions in state support over the past three years, with additional budget reductions a near certainty. The ability for VSU to meet its educational mission, without overburdening students with odious tuition increases, is being severely challenged.

 

As Dr. Miller steps into this exciting, yet complex, environment, it is clear that the entire Virginia State University community, starting with the Board of Visitors, bears a significant responsibility to ensuring a smooth presidential transition. A successful transition will set the tone for Dr. Miller’s tenure and help to ensure support from University stakeholders, including, but not limited to, students, faculty, staff, alumni, Board, governmental bodies, corporations and the community-at-large.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon all groups involved with Virginia State University’s presidential transition to understand and effectively communicate the University’s mission, vision and goals of the transition.

 

In brief, the mission of Virginia State University can be summarized thusly: Virginia State University is a comprehensive land-grant university that offers students the opportunity to obtain an excellent education in a vibrant and supportive university community. Since 1882, the University has been a precursor to numerous success stories. Its alumni are among leaders in education, business and public life. With every entering class, the University’s goal is to provide an educational experience that will serve as a catalyst for a successful future.

 

To ensure the University’s progress of the past few years continues unabated with the arrival of Dr. Miller, and to properly recognize the legacy of President Moore, Virginia State’s Board of Visitors established a committee to facilitate a smooth transition. Comprised of representatives from a broad range of stakeholders, the Committee has been tasked with honoring President Moore, welcoming Dr. Miller, acquainting him with the constituencies with whom he will work and taking advantage of the internal and external scrutiny under which Virginia State will be operating during the transition period.

The goals of the Transition Committee are to develop a transition plan for the Board of Visitors to approve, and then to execute the approved plan. The proposed plan will ensure an appropriate number of formal celebrations and recognition events for the current President and first lady; ensure Dr. Miller has support for a smooth and successful start of his administration; generate support for the new President among the many stakeholders by maximizing their participation and involvement in the transition process through open and effective communication and sharing of information; and properly introducing Dr. Miller to appropriate Commonwealth and local government officials, community and business leaders, donors, alumni, friends of the University, and other college and university officials throughout Virginia and the surrounding region.

Achieving support of the transition goals can best be achieved by regular and consistent communication with all constituencies. Transparency is vital and will help to facilitate a seamless transition, as the Committee creates a plan, effectively executes it and maintains fiscal responsibility. There will be open communication and involvement in the decision making process. Initially focusing on internal stakeholders – faculty, staff, students, Board and alumni – will allow these groups to support the transition and provide vehicles through which Virginia State can reach a broader audience with the primary themes and messages of the transition process.

 

A positive and seamless transition will propel the University to even higher achievement in the future. By effectively creating, implementing and communicating a transparent Transition Plan, each involved constituency can share in the momentum that Virginia State University will continue under Dr. Miller.