The Commonwealth is Witnessing a Transformation at Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach

John W. Dysart
President
The Dysart Group

Dr. Scott Miller has held presidencies at three other institutions over the last 27 years. He was, in fact, one of the youngest ever to hold the chief position at a college or university.

Miller made a significant difference everywhere he served. His administrations have been characterized by bold leadership, creative academic program expansion, rapid enrollment growth, new construction and, physical plant enhancements and aggressive fund-raising.

He was selected by the Board of Trustees to lead the small college in Virginia in 2015. The changes and progress made in less than two years have been broad and extraordinary.

Major transformations of higher education institutions, although rare, certainly are not new. This newsletter has reported on several colleges and universities over the last thirteen years that have made amazing progress turning around downward trends. The recent outcomes at Virginia Wesleyan University are unique in both the breadth of positive change and success achieved during an exceptionally short period of time.

I have been in this business for more than 35 years and have witnessed and participated in some enrollment miracles. I have never seen, however, anything like the last 24 months in Virginia Beach.

Academic Expansion and Restructuring

Any transformational change will often involve reconsiderations of academic structures and the introduction of new academic programs in response to evolving market conditions and regional and local needs.

• The academic division at the institution has been reorganized into three schools–the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, the Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Birdsong School of Social Science.
• Majors and programs have been examined to meet changing market needs and attract more students. The institution has been approved for graduate offerings as well as an extensive online program.
• A name change has occurred to better reflect growth in academic opportunities. Virginia Wesleyan College is now Virginia Wesleyan University with its primary address in Virginia Beach where most of the campus is located, and a marketing emphasis on the Coastal Virginia home of VWU.
• Changes were made to attract more students of superior academic quality. The University just recruited the first class for its new, highly selective Batten Honors College.
• The University recently announced the creation of the new University College to house the operation of all for-credit programs outside of the traditional undergraduate division as well as non-credit, continuing education offerings. These will better serve the local adult market and thus the local economy, as well as students interested in online education throughout the nation.

New Buildings and Infrastructure

• The University recently completed the state-of-the-art Greer Environmental Sciences Center. The new 44,000-square-feet, world-class facility will support a national environmental engagement program. This will provide unprecedented opportunities for students while fostering regional collaboration with entities such as Brock Environmental Sciences Center/Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Sciences Center and the Virginia Institute for Marine Science.
• The Frank Blocker Youth Center has been built as a cooperative facility. Tidewater Collegiate Academy will utilize it during the academic year while the YMCA will have access during the summer months.
• The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center is scheduled to be completed in early 2019. The University will break ground on this 23,000-square-foot facility this fall. In addition, the plan is to open the new, $51 million, multi-use residential complex Oxford Village in 2018. It will include eight buildings and offer nearly 250 apartments.

Athletic Enhancements and Success

• Construction of Birdsong Field for men?s and women?s lacrosse and field hockey.
• Improvements to stands, dugouts, backstop and press box at the Kenneth R. Perry Baseball Field.
• Construction of the new Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center to be dedicated during Homecoming and Family Weekend in October 2017.
• Strong leadership in the athletic department has resulted in the introduction of new sports such as swimming. The VWU women?s softball team capped a great year for athletics by winning the NCAA Division III national championship, following the NCAA Division III national championship in golf by sophomore Evan Cox.

Enrollment Growth

Soon after assuming the presidency, Dr. Scott Miller partnered with The Dysart Group, to conduct an enrollment audit to recommend changes in strategies, tactics, policies and procedures to improve admission and financial aid outcomes. It was an easy collaboration as John Dysart and Miller had worked together at two previous institutions. A state-of-the-art recruitment and financial aid model was introduced and quickly implemented.

• The University created a systematic and comprehensive communication plan with prospective students and families. Components included telephone contact, direct mail, email and a new emphasis on text messaging.
• Greater emphasis was placed on career outcomes, and successful alumni were asked to share how their experience at the institution contributed to their career success.
• Institutional scholarship and grant programs were revised to more effectively support recruitment goals and retention. Institutional aid expenditures were positioned to directly influence enrollment.
• Accountability metrics were introduced to monitor contact rates between admission counselors and admission applicants. Metrics also tracked the progress of prospective students through the enrollment funnel.
• Based on a recommendation from John Dysart, Dr. Miller hired a seasoned professional to lead the enrollment division. David Waggoner came to the University after very successful stints at Rockford College, Monmouth University, The French Culinary Institute in New York and the University of Baltimore. Mr. Waggoner arrived with a track record of extraordinary enrollment growth across a diverse group of institution types.

The work of Mr. Waggoner and his team resulted in amazing outcomes over the last 18 months.

• In Fall 2017, the University welcomed 529 new students, the largest and most academically talented group of freshmen in its history.
• Greater geographic diversity was attained. The new students were successfully recruited from 26 states along with Washington, DC.
• The student experience at the University has been enhanced by an increase in the number of international students. New students were enrolled from ten countries including China, Ukraine, Canada, Brazil, Australia, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany and Turkey.
• The institution reports that 51% of new students are from traditionally under-represented populations including 26% students of color. Virginia Wesleyan University absolutely reflects the region.
• More than 180 of the new students are expected to participate in college athletics. Successful athletic recruitment led by the Athletic Director, Joanne Renn, makes the institution more attractive to both talented athletes and students who enjoy attending athletic events.
• The new student population is better academically prepared with higher average SAT scores.
• The 40 new students enrolled in the Batten Honors College posted a collective high school grade point average of 4.03, an average SAT score of 1344 and an average ACT score of 29!
• Increased enrollment exploded the number of students interested in living on campus which required the University to secure additional?housing options at nearby hotels for juniors and seniors.
• Virginia Wesleyan University has enrolled the largest number of students in its history.
• The University has added early and dual- enrollment options for high school students.

Virginia Wesleyan University has been literally transformed in less than two years.? Academic offerings have been increased to better serve both traditional and non-traditional students.? New construction and improvements to existing structures have enhanced the academic experience, student co-curricular life, research and athletics.? Can?t wait to see what happens in the next 24 months!