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Annual Report 2023-2024

At Roanoke, we're answering the call for innovation with energy, optimism and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders.

students talking with a tree with orange leaves behind them
student in the lab

From the President

Since 1842, Roanoke College has offered its students a path to a more promising future. It is a journey paved with hope, enlightenment and hard work. And much like the walk our seniors take on Commencement Day, it is lined on both sides by people who want nothing more than to see them succeed.

We expect our students to grow and change throughout their time at Roanoke because we know the world is rapidly changing around them – so why shouldn’t we expect our beloved institution to have the same capacity to reinvent itself?  

The world of higher education is in flux, as colleges and universities stare down the double barrels of a demographic cliff and a public disillusioned with our product. In short, our next chapter presents big challenges. I’m not aware of a single big challenge that has been solved by stagnation, which is why Roanoke College’s leadership is meeting introspection with innovation.

During the 2023-24 academic year, we continued to build a transformative learning environment that launches graduates who are prepared to thrive in the 21st century. We must turn out students who are emboldened by the ability to lead, communicate and solve audacious problems; undaunted by artificial intelligence and the ways it will transform the workforce; and in possession of not only marketable technical skills, but a lifelong commitment to learning, creativity, adaptability and resilience. We want students from all walks of life to land at Roanoke, make it theirs in distinct and personal ways, and go on to build stronger communities.

To that end, we have made significant progress in key categories of our mission. That includes making progress on a new science center that will strengthen STEM learning; adding an impressive 10 new degree options in diverse fields; doubling down on our student success initiatives; creating community partnerships with leaders in industry, academia and nonprofits; establishing new pipelines for both incoming students and those pursuing graduate studies; and bolstering our athletic and extracurricular offerings.  

Of course, our work is nowhere near finished. We must address deferred maintenance and other limitations so that the quality of our physical campus matches the exceptional educational experience we offer our students. Our long-term vision will not come to fruition with courage and creativity alone; it will also require philanthropy and responsible stewardship of college finances. I encourage you to read more about that in the Treasurer’s Report.  

This annual report is a snapshot of these efforts for the 2023-24 academic year, providing an in-depth look at the efforts we have taken to be united by our vision and values and to instill them in our every accomplishment. Each achievement during that 12-month window – not to mention today and in the future – represents a new buttress against our vital mission and a new brick on that path to a brighter tomorrow. 

With hope,

Frank signature
Frank Shushok, Jr.
President

Our Vision

At Roanoke College, our objective is to develop students as whole individuals and prepare them for full and productive lives. Each decision we made during the 2023-24 academic year, as in every year, was carefully weighed against our mission, vision and goals. 

This annual report has been structured around our five goals:

  1. FOSTER STUDENT SUCCESS AND WELL-BEING
  2. ADVANCE ACADEMIC INNOVATION AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES
  3. PROMOTE ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL, AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
  4. ADVANCE ACCESS, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING
  5. ELEVATE ROANOKE COLLEGE’S DISTINCTIVENESS