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VWU Named a Civic 50 Honoree
The designation, awarded by VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads and Points of Light, recognizes community-minded organizations in Hampton Roads
University News | November 4, 2024
Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) has been named an honoree of The Civic 50 Hampton Roads by VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads and Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The award recognizes Virginia Wesleyan University as one of the most community-minded organizations in Hampton Roads, as determined by an independently administered and scored survey.
The Civic 50 Hampton Roads initiative, modeled after the Points of Light’s national program, provides a standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and resources to drive social impact in their company and communities. The initiative selects companies based on four dimensions of their community engagement program: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems, and impact measurement.
Virginia Wesleyan’s community engagement initiatives are coordinated by the Office of Civic Engagement and Service Learning directed by Bethany Tsiaras and supported by the Birdsong Endowment. “As a nonprofit organization of higher education, we are dedicated to the community at large,” said Tsiaras.“We provide services, facilities and other contributions that make an impact on the lives of others.”
Virginia Wesleyan engages in a wide array of community initiatives. Through these efforts, the university fosters a sense of social responsibility and strengthens its connections with the surrounding community. As a National Liberal Arts College, VWU holds a Community Engagement classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University hosts several community service affiliates including: Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (Hampton Roads Office); Tidewater African Cultural Alliance; Girls on the Run (Hampton Roads); Tidewater Collegiate Academy; Chesapeake Bay Academy; World Affairs Council (Hampton Roads Office); and YMCA Camp Red Feather.
VWU and Virginia Beach Economic Development have cultivated a robust partnership over the past four years, focused on nurturing Talent Development Programs through the David R. Black Institute for Professional Practice. These initiatives thrive within The Hive at Town Center and the university’s Talent Development Program that has seen substantial growth, providing free, in-person, and online workshops and courses to the Virginia Beach community, in partnership with the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development.
Additionally, Virginia Wesleyan University’s partnership with the Virginia Beach Police and Fire Departments allows officers and firefighters to earn college credit from their recruit training and experience, and matriculate to VWU at a significantly discounted credit hour rate to complete their bachelor’s degree.
Through Virginia Wesleyan’s partnership with Haygood United Methodist, church members receive reduced tuition and scholarships in degree programs and may also enroll in some talent development continuing education courses at no cost. They can also attend campus events, from music and theater to athletics, as if they are members of the faculty, staff and student body.
The University is the educational partner of the Virginia African American Cultural Center, which has a mission to collect, preserve, interpret, inform and celebrate Virginia’s African American history, culture and community, and to educate the public about African American contributions in all areas of endeavor.
To address a housing shortage in the region, the University created a public-private partnership to build Coastal 61, an eight building, 244 unit apartment complex housing 611.
The Office of Events and Conference Services reports 75,000 guests who visit VWU’s campus for conferences, camps, athletic matches and special events. Also, the Robert Nusbaum Center at VWU aims to create a civil society through education, respectful dialogue, and mutual understanding. The Center equips and empowers students and community members to be leaders and citizens who value diversity and who understand how the reconciliation of our religious, racial, and ideological differences create meaningful opportunities for civil solutions to difficult and urgent problems.
The University recently announced a new Center for Urban Leadership Education which includes the Incarcerated Persons ReEntry Program, formed in collaboration with the Urban League of Hampton Roads and the Virginia Department of Corrections. This program represents VWU's goal of reducing recidivism and providing educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals.
“These initiatives are representive of Virginia Wesleyan's efforts in civic engagement. Being part of the Civic 50, however, is more than receiving recognition,” notes Tsiaras. “It reflects Virginia Wesleyan University's dedication to using our resources and influence to create meaningful change in the community. Together, we can inspire others to prioritize civic engagement and make a lasting impact.”
For more information about The Civic 50 Hampton Roads and this year’s honorees, visit www.volunteerhr.org/civic50hr.