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The University will be closed on Friday, February 21, due to weather conditions in our immediate area. All non-essential employees should work remotely from home.  Students should monitor their University email and check Blackboard for faculty instructions, as some classes will be conducted remotely. Essential personnel should report to campus as scheduled.

We anticipate returning to normal operations on Monday, February 24.

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Student Advocacy Day

VWU delegation engages with lawmakers, advocates for higher education

University News | February 18, 2025

Led by President Miller, Virginia Wesleyan students traveled to the Virginia State Capitol this week for Student Advocacy Day, an annual event organized by the Council for Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV). The initiative provides students with an opportunity to meet with lawmakers and express their gratitude for funding the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) program, which has helped make college more affordable for over 185,000 Virginians for more than 50 years. 

VWU’s delegation included Miles Pifer (SGA President), Clarissa Thurston, Molly Brennan, Liam Castellano, Abigail Villacrusis, Seluani Navarrete-Perez, and Jason Seward (Associate Vice President for Campus Life). The group engaged with key legislators, including Congressman John McGuire, Senators Aaron Rouse and Angelia Williams-Graves, and Delegates Alex Askew, Rob Bloxom, Cliff Hayes, Michael Feggans, Nadarius Clark, and Buddy Fowler. 

President Miller also joined Chris Peace, President of Virginia Private Colleges, along with Tracy Fitzsimmons (President of Shenandoah University) and Darrell Williams (President of Hampton University), to advocate for continued support of VTAG. 

A highlight of the day was VWU Batten Honors College scholar Abigail Villacrusis serving as a student speaker at the Virginia Private College Caucus at the General Assembly Building. Villacrusis, along with Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, addressed lawmakers before the Caucus—co-chaired by Delegate Israel O’Quinn and Senator Jennifer Boysko—and received legislative briefings on key education topics. 

While in Richmond, President Miller and Associate Vice President Jason Seward also connected with two accomplished VWU alumni working in Virginia’s Capitol: Chiereme Fortune ‘13, Director of Communications for Voices for Virginia’s Children, and Caroline Willette ‘23, Chief of Staff for Virginia Senator Angelia Williams-Graves. 

The visit reinforced VWU’s ongoing commitment to advocating for higher education access and affordability. View the full photo album from the day.