Radford reports enrollment gains and $2.5M pledge for new Financial Success Center

Radford University reported enrollment and retention gains and unveiled a high-profile philanthropic pledge during the Board of Visitors meeting on March 20.

President (Radford University) told the board spring enrollment was nearly 7,400 students, about 2% higher than last spring, and highlighted student success metrics: first-to-spring retention for the fall 2025 cohort reached 93% (the highest since 2008), and about 92% of graduating students were employed or continuing education within six months.

The president said nursing admissions continue to grow and that the university has expanded its Tartan Transfer partnerships (Danville Community College joined as the ninth partner). The board also heard that the university is implementing Navigate 360 to consolidate advising and student-success tools and that the Center for Rural Health initiative will coordinate medical, mental and dental health efforts across Southwest and Southside Virginia.

On fundraising, the president announced that Virginia Credit Union pledged $2,500,000 over 10 years to create a Financial Success Center to be housed in the Davis College of Business and Economics; the center will provide internships, coaching, courses and community-facing financial services, and will employ students as paid staff.

Board members praised the student-success results and asked for continued updates on implementation of the Navigate system and the rural-health initiative. The administration said it will report progress at future meetings.