UVA and UVA Wise Leaders Convene for Evening of Dialogue and Discovery
Yesterday, the University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) brought together members of both university communities for an evening of dialogue and discovery featuring University of Virginia President Scott C. Beardsley and UVA Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry.
The gathering was the first of its kind jointly hosted event between UVA and UVA Wise, creating an opportunity for members of the shared UVA family to celebrate their connection, learn more about each institution’s distinctive strengths and explore opportunities for collaboration across the Commonwealth.
Moderated by Kenyon Bonner, UVA vice president and chief student affairs officer, the conversation highlighted the relationship between UVA and UVA Wise and the institutions’ shared commitment to student success, access and affordability, service to Virginia and the transformative power of higher education.
“UVA Wise holds an important and distinctive place within the University of Virginia,” Bonner said. “Its history, traditions, strengths and deep commitment to Southwest Virginia are an important part of the broader University. This evening is an opportunity to celebrate that relationship and consider how UVA and UVA Wise can continue to learn from and support one another.”
During the conversation, Henry and Beardsley discussed the educational experiences offered by UVA and UVA Wise and the ways those experiences contribute to the University’s broader public mission.
Henry highlighted UVA Wise’s close-knit educational environment, where students receive personalized attention from faculty and advisors while gaining hands-on experience through internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, community engagement, athletics and student leadership.
Beardsley shared his perspective on the distinctive educational experience that students receive at both UVA and UVA Wise, “Both institutions’ approach to teaching, mentoring and student development strengthens the University’s mission to serve our students and region.”
A central part of the conversation also focused on UVA Wise’s role in Southwest Virginia and Appalachia. The discussion explored how UVA can help support and amplify UVA Wise’s impact in Southwest Virginia while creating additional opportunities for students and communities across the Commonwealth.
As UVA begins its strategic planning process, Beardsley and Henry will consider opportunities for meaningful collaboration between UVA and UVA Wise in the decade ahead. Strategic planning conversations will emphasize how the institutions can remain distinctive while strengthening their shared identity as members of one UVA family.
“UVA and UVA Wise have important differences in culture, history and setting,” Henry said. “At the same time, both provide students with outstanding academic opportunities and experiences tailored to their needs and aspirations. UVA’s growth in an urban setting and UVA Wise’s growth in a rural region give us complementary strengths that can make the UVA family stronger.”
The evening concluded with a conversation about alumni and parent connections and the importance of belonging across both institutions.
Together, UVA and UVA Wise serve students from Virginia, across the nation and beyond through educational experiences shaped by their individual missions and communities. The first joint gathering represents another step toward strengthening those connections.
“This evening is an important first,” Beardsley and Henry affirmed through the conversation, as both institutions look toward a future of greater collaboration, shared opportunity and continued service to the Commonwealth.
The event is intended to be the beginning of stronger connections among UVA, UVA Wise, their alumni and families, and the communities they serve.