ODU Matches Up Well Against State Commission Goals

I was delighted to learn that I was one of 30-plus statewide leaders selected by Gov. Bob McDonnell to serve on the Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment.

Old Dominion University offers a stellar example for a number of the stated goals for the commission, including, "to make higher education more affordable and accessible for Virginians, and expand pathways to earning a college degree."

With an undergraduate population nearing 87 percent Virginian and a longtime record of partnering with the Virginia Community College System, Old Dominion directly connects with that goal in a variety of ways.

Another part of the Commission's task also represents opportunities for ODU and Virginia. The expressed need to develop innovative ways to deliver quality instruction can gain valuable insight from taking a look at all that we have done with our highly successful distance learning program, TELETECHNET.

In addition, the group will be charged with developing more public-private partnerships, such as the one the ODU Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center has triggered with the Commonwealth, business and industry. One final objective seeks to ensure Virginia remains a national leader in educational opportunities for members of the military. I will be especially proud to report to fellow Commission members that more than 20 percent of our 24,000-student population is in some way connected to the military.

As I read the Governor's Executive Order for the Commission late last night, I was reminded of how many things we do well at ODU. Now, the biggest challenge this institution faces is to be better recognized in the existing state funding model.

As the work of the Commission unfolds, I will keep you informed.