Goal 5: Elevate Roanoke College's Distinctiveness
Thanks to the vision and generosity of incredible donors, Roanoke College is leading the way in building new learning spaces and initiatives that will truly equip students to tackle the world’s most pressing needs.
That includes the state-of-the-art Shaun McConnon Discovery Center, a transformative project that will benefit every future Maroon. The ambitious project is reshaping three key buildings on campus to create a dynamic hub for STEM learning and research. Once complete, it will house one-third of all college courses and more than half of all student research projects.
Alongside that major investment, we’re moving forward with plans to add to our engineering faculty, seek endorsement from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and pursue new community partnerships tailored to STEM innovation.
The result for students will be modern resources, expanded opportunities and access to next-level training that prepares them for a world where STEM skills aren’t just desirable but essential.
On the athletics side, the college moved forward with plans to establish a new football team, marching band and competitive cheer squad, appointing a new football coach, band leader and cheer coach who worked hard throughout the year to lay groundwork for the 2024-25 inaugural season.
Above all else, what sets Roanoke College apart is its community, both on- and off-campus. Maroons can count on a supportive environment, forward-thinking partnerships with regional leaders, and the chance to lead on vital issues.
Here are just a few highlights from this year:
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Roanoke broke ground on the first phase of its state-of-the-art new science center in April, kicking off a project that will reimagine three major buildings on campus and create a hub for STEM learning and research. The science center will serve some of the college’s most popular majors and house one-third of all campus courses
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To prepare for the inaugural 2024-25 football season, Roanoke spent the 2023-24 academic year setting building blocks for the program. That included appointing Head Coach Bryan Stinespring and other coaching staff, as well as a marching band leader and cheer coach.
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With the support of remarkable benefactors, we announced plans for an expanded student success center, a stronger emergency fund for students in need and a new living-learning community serving first-generation students. These initiatives help ensure that every student has the support needed to thrive, reinforcing the message that no one on campus is alone in their journey.
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Leaders in industry, government, higher education, workforce development and economic development came together for a regional event spearheaded by Roanoke College. The Talent Summit, backed by a long list of partners and funded by GO Virginia, is expected to continue in future years to deepen discussions on retaining and recruit top-tier professionals to our community.
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As a featured school on “The College Tour,” Roanoke College’s story is told through the eyes of students on our campus, showcasing our many attributes and connecting us to prospective students from the U.S. and around the world.
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Roanoke College was tapped for a team leading the way in integrating AI into the educational experience. Funded by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, this initiative is developing cross-disciplinary research, resources and workshops that help faculty deploy AI in the classroom.
