3 minute read
President’s Message
What a year! One of triumph, growth, and change. I’m so proud of the amazing work we’ve all done over this past year, and I know that, with your help, we’ll successfully serve even more students and make an even greater impact on our communities. So, what’s next? I get excited when we plan the future for Germanna. How will we continue to offer next-level and affordable educational opportunities based on our students’ and communities’ needs? How will we continue to be the best decision towards a successful future for anyone at any level? And how will we better provide an inclusive, diverse, and safe space for our next generation of learners? Germanna continues to be recognized as a top college in Virginia and across the country. Again, we have been recognized as a Military Friendly School, reflecting our great pride in serving and caring for our military-affiliated students and families. And, unlike national and state trends, Germanna’s enrollment continues to rise. What’s the key to our growth? Dedication and service, an endless love for our students, and our outstanding faculty. They are the ones who encourage, support, and teach our students. They are the ones who breathe life into learning. And we’re also growing in Stafford. I’m thrilled to share that we are expanding in Stafford County in a big way through the purchase of a new 74,000 square foot location on Route 610. These two buildings, named the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building and the Barbara J. Fried Center, will greatly increase our ability to train the next generation of nurses and expand our offerings in the high-demand cybersecurity career field. This is game-changing. My sincere thanks to our incredible supporters Rhonda and Adam Fried, Kevin Dillard, and Mary Jane Pitts O’Neill, who is creating a second Robert C. O’Neill Wellness Clinic in Stafford, for their transformational gifts to aid in this expansion. You made this possible. Thank you. As you know, our students wear many hats while pursuing their education dreams at Germanna. And, for college to work, it must fit their already busy lives. That’s why we continue to innovate. Over the past year, we’ve announced outstanding partnerships with the University of Mary Washington, the University of Virginia, the University of Maryland, George Mason University, and Old Dominion University. These new partnerships offer fast-tracked online degrees through the College Everywhere program, which provides students with the opportunity to complete a two-year degree in just one year—completely online. Our new part-time, evening, and weekend nursing program accelerates the degree and licensure process for busy adults, many already working in the field. Programs like these provide our learners with the flexibility they need to balance their hectic schedules and their education. No matter where students are headed in life, Germanna is the next step that’s going to get them there. One of my favorite things about Germanna is its diversity. ALL are welcome here, and I take great pride in that. We’ve recently witnessed significant growth in our African American and Hispanic student populations, which confirms that the goals set in our Truth and Reconciliation Strategic Plan are being met. I’m also excited to continue offering our free, virtual Germanna Community Conversations speaker series, where local and national experts enlighten our communities on timely topics and discuss important issues facing the country and our communities right here. What I love about these dynamic sessions is that they provide discourse on a wide array of topics and feature experts with varying perspectives. At Germanna, we foster an environment rich and diverse in thought. The next generation is bright, and we want them to recognize Germanna as the right place for them and their diverse experiences, cultures, attitudes, and beliefs. As I look forward to our next academic year, I know Germanna is headed in a bold, strategic direction. I am incredibly grateful for the undying commitment and support that you have shown, and I hope that you’ll join us as we continue to positively impact the lives of individual students, families, local businesses, and our greater communities. What’s next for Germanna? The sky is the limit… with a little help from our friends. With love and respect,
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