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President's Pen - Fall 2024

Young man in black robe pauses for a selfie with the college president as he crosses the graduation stage.

At a time when our economy needs more college graduates, higher education is facing a long-expected “demographic cliff” that officially begins in 2025. This era ushers in a substantial decline in the number of traditional-aged college students.  

So what does all this mean for Roanoke College?  

The recent Gallup-Lumina Foundation 2024 State of Higher Education report highlights a national educational crisis—that nearly 42 million people in the United States have “some college-no degree.” This means they started at a two-year or four-year college but did not complete a certificate or degree. You can imagine the diversity of stories behind each of these people and, in many instances, the loss to our national economy that is highly dependent upon a skilled workforce.

As is almost always the case, people start a college degree with dreams of personal growth, greater financial opportunities and a desire to contribute to the many needs in our society. But for many, life presents unexpected barriers that derail their well-intended aspirations. If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking of a friend or family member who could tell of a similar experience.

Over nearly 200 years, Maroons have never shirked from closing the gaps in the needs of our community. That’s why our new strategic plan will develop and launch Roanoke College—Roanoke Valley (RC-RV), a partner endeavor to adapt rapidly to business, industry and learners’ educational needs, offering flexible modalities and access (online, hybrid, weekend, evening, undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs) and differential and affordable cost models (including an accelerated three-year bachelor’s degree). 

But don’t worry, our strategic plan also doubles down on our historic residential liberal arts experience. At Roanoke College, it will not be a choice of one or the other; we will offer both— and with excellence. As we have done for hundreds of years, we’re adapting to be the best next Roanoke College to meet our time.  
 
Here we go . . .  

Frank Shushok Jr. 
 
  

This column was originally published in Issue Two, 2024, of Roanoke College Magazine. You may read the full issue on the magazine archives page.