Spring 2026 Board Update

The Roanoke College Board of Trustees convened for its regular spring meeting April 15-17, 2026, bringing together trustees and senior leadership for a period of learning and strategic reflection that included thoughtful conversations about artificial intelligence, the future of higher education, the college’s financial realities and the enduring importance of Roanoke College’s strategic mission and community.

The meeting opened Thursday morning with a light breakfast and plenary lecture open to all trustees, faculty and staff. Speaker Rishi Jaitly, professor of practice and distinguished humanities fellow at Virginia Tech, spoke about “AI and the Future of School—and School Spirit.”

Jaitly drew on his experience in technology, public service and the humanities, challenging the audience to reconsider the purpose of education in an AI-ascendant era. He argued that while technical fluency is increasingly accessible, the enduring value of higher education lies in cultivating “full‑stack humans”—individuals grounded not only in cognitive and technical skill, but also in imagination, moral reasoning, fellowship and spirit.

Jaitly framed learning as an experience that thrives on friction, effort and shared human endeavor, noting that the very origins of the word “college” reflect fellowship in a common pursuit. He encouraged trustees to reflect on how Roanoke College might increasingly differentiate itself not by content delivery alone, but by transformational experiences that form character, community and lifelong learners.

Following his lecture, Jaitly facilitated a working session with board members, guiding discussion about how institutions measure learning, signal value to the marketplace and balance a timeless liberal arts foundation with evolving workplace realities. His remarks resonated throughout subsequent conversations, as well, particularly as trustees explored questions of student success, affordability, market relevance and credentialing.

During the Finance Committee meeting, Interim Vice President of Finance and Administration David Meadows provided a candid and detailed assessment of the college’s financial position and trajectory, viewing the institution’s wider financial health against enrollment volatility and rising operating expenses. Trustees engaged deeply with strategies to improve long-term sustainability, including strengthening unrestricted giving, increasing endowed scholarships to reduce tuition discounting, diversifying revenue streams, and aligning capital investments with incremental revenue generation. The committee affirmed the need for discipline, improved data analytics, stronger procurement practices, and continued alignment between financial planning and strategic priorities heading into Fiscal Year 2027 and beyond.

Rita Farlow, vice president of strategic marketing, communications and enrollment management, presented for the Marketing and Enrollment Committee, examining the rapidly changing recruitment landscape and Roanoke College’s evolving strategies to remain competitive. Trustees noted increasing collaboration across marketing, admissions, and financial aid to create a more seamless and personalized student experience.

Trustees also learned about the expanded use of digital marketing, search optimization, video content and AI-powered tools—including chatbots and audience targeting—to scale outreach and enhance personalization. Trustees discussed the college’s efforts to “own its backyard” in the Roanoke and New River valleys while selectively expanding into additional markets and rebuilding relationships with guidance counselors.

Particular attention was given to the importance of campus visits, curated experiences and high-touch engagement. Trustees heard examples of individualized campus visits and targeted events that have yielded strong results, reinforcing the board’s shared belief that relationships and belonging remain powerful differentiators for Roanoke College.

Across College Life Committee presentations, trustees explored how Roanoke College is responding to shifting expectations around degrees, credentials, and time-to-completion. Updates highlighted growth in online and hybrid offerings, as well as Quality Matters training for faculty who want to teach online courses. They also heard about a new partnership betweenRoanoke College-Roanoke Valley(RC-RV) and ed2go that has significantly expanded the college’s certificate and microcredential offerings, and the recent approval of the college’s proposal to offer an Associate of Arts in College Foundations through dual-enrollment pathways.

Trustees discussed other emerging models such as reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees and new partnerships with community collegesand external providers, and they expressed appreciation for the college’s proactive experimentation and commitment to student opportunity, access and workforce relevance.

The College Life Committee also advanced formal actions, including approval of degree conferrals, emeritus faculty appointments, and ratification of the Faculty Handbook as a foundational document, with provisions for ongoing review and alignment with broader college policies.

Trustees also received expansive updates on student life, athletics, wellness and campus safety—areas deeply connected to retention and student success. Athletics and Campus Recreation leaders reported significant growth in intramural participation, club sports, fitness programming and student employment opportunities, emphasizing their role in fostering belonging, leadership and holistic well‑being.

Campus Safety leadership provided a comprehensive overview of staffing, training, infrastructure and preparedness, noting both strengths and areas requiring further investment. Trustees discussed the challenge of balancing campus openness with safety, the limits of current staffing levels, and the importance of ongoing training, technology upgrades and regional partnerships. The board affirmed the central role of safety planning in sustaining a healthy learning environment.

The Advancement Committee introduced early planning for a potential comprehensive campaign, “Imagine Roanoke: A Campaign for Transformational Investment in Students, Community, and the Future of Roanoke College.” Preliminary discussion focused on growing the endowment, expanding scholarship support and aligning philanthropic priorities with the college’s strategic plan, “Imagine Roanoke,” and long-term sustainability.

Trustees discussed the importance of board leadership in setting momentum, donor confidence and vision, as well as the potential scale and structure of future fundraising efforts. While no formal action was taken, the conversation underscored optimism and shared resolve around the college’s capacity to marshal philanthropic support.

During the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the board received an update on the McConnon Discovery Center construction, which remains on budget and on schedule to be completed by August. They were invited to tour the Crawford Hall renovation, which will also be complete in time for Fall Term 2026.

In concluding remarks, President Frank Shushok Jr. reflected on the turbulence facing higher education and the necessity of adapting with courage, clarity and institutional resolve. He emphasized that Roanoke College’s north star remains student success—and that the college’s responsibility is not merely whom it admits, but how well it supports students to thrive, graduate and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Acknowledging financial strain and hard decisions ahead, the president also noted significant accomplishments across shared governance, academic innovation, facilities, fundraising and community engagement. He encouraged trustees to see the college as “in the middle of the story”—a moment demanding both gratitude for existing strengths and courage to shape what comes next.

As always, the board meeting included several opportunities for trustees to gather and break bread with students, faculty and staff. During Thursday’s lunch, they met some of the college’s new academic advisors and student peer advisors, hearing a bit about their work and its impact on student success and retention—including the fact that the number of first-year students on academic probation has dropped by more than half.

Thursday evening, trustees attended the inaugural Scholarship Dinner, an inspiring event that brought together student scholarship recipients and donors who have supported them through their philanthropy. Finally, during Friday’s lunch hour, trustees met members of the men’s basketball and wrestling teams for a “Champion’s Lunch.” The lunch included a Q&A with the student-athletes about what they’ve learned through their involvement in athletics, including lessons in leadership, teamwork, compassion and integrity.

The board will convene next on Oct. 22-23, 2026, for its annual fall meeting.