Office of the President
Dr. Frank Shushok Jr.
Dr. Shushok has been a champion for higher education and student success for more than 30 years. He is passionate about creating environments that foster innovation and transformative learning. Inspired by his own journey as a student, he’s also a tireless advocate for removing barriers to access and ensuring all students are able to unlock their potential and purpose at Roanoke.
Initiatives
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Roanoke College's newest school will prepare students for meaningful careers while addressing the growing need for healthcare professionals. By bringing together the liberal arts, clinical preparation and strong community partnerships, it will create a vital pipeline of skilled graduates to strengthen our regional workforce and improve human health and well-being.
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Created to open doors for learners across our community, RC-RV is leading innovative programs in career training, dual enrollment and online degrees — unlocking new paths to opportunity and deepening the connection between Roanoke College and the Roanoke Valley.
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Guided by our strategic vision to ensure character and leadership are hallmarks of a Roanoke College education, we secured a competitive national grant to carry out a bold plan that weaves character education into every aspect of student life.
News
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The partnership strengthens the college’s work to create programs that support the lifelong well-being of students.
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Roanoke College is launching its membership in College Presidents for Civic Preparedness during its campus celebration of Constitution Week.
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Along with a group of community partners, the College welcomes state and regional leaders on March 7 to discuss talent attraction and retention.
Coffee with the president
In the news
- Why Higher Education Needs More On-Ramps and Off-Ramps (Modern Campus Podcast, June 2026)
- The presidents daring to break the mold for workforce innovation (University Business, June 2026)
- Meet a GO Virginia Region 2 Council Member: Frank Shushok Jr., Roanoke College (Center for Economic and Community Engagement, June 2026)
- How Roanoke College’s new pathways tackle the workforce mismatch (University Business, May 2026)
- Virginia’s private colleges seek increased state tuition aid (Virginia Business, March 2026)
- 2026 Future of Talent Summit Encourages Enthusiasm, Curiosity, and Bravery (Get2KnowNoke, March 2026)
- When Questions are the Answer: Roanoke President Frank Shushok asks students to think big and listen deeply (LearningWell Magazine, July 2025)
- President Shushok: In Virginia, private colleges are the new front line for access (Richmond Times-Dispatch and Charlottesville Daily Progress, June 2025)
- Blue Ridge PBS, "What It Takes" (February 2023)
- Roanoke College President Shushok shares experience with dyslexia during visit to North Cross School (WDBJ7, February 2023)
- President Shushok promises community connections, bold ideas as Roanoke College grows (WDBJ7 September 2022)
- President Shushok: Roanoke College 'must respond to evolving marketplace' (The Roanoke Times, August 2022)
- From grade-school struggle to college president (Cardinal News, June 2022)
Articles by President Shushok
Virginia’s future workforce depends on fixing the path from college to career
April 28, 2026 | Cardinal News
The glorious mistakes students make — from the perspective of a college president and learning the hard way, Dad
August 20, 2025 | Cardinal News
In Virginia, private colleges are the new front line for access
June 3, 2025 | Originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Charlottesville Daily Progress
Easing the GenZ Journey into Adulthood
November 22, 2023 | Originally published in The Messenger, an online news source that is no longer active
Questions on the Path to a Sustainable Future
November 14, 2023 | Chapter 4 in the 2023-2024 edition of President to President
College advice from a parent still learning as a president
August 20, 2022 | Richmond Times-Dispatch
President Shushok: A Momentous Duty
July 3, 2022 | The Roanoke Times