Highlander Highlights shares with readers some of the extraordinary research and accomplishments happening on and off campus through the tireless work and curiosity of our students, staff, alumni and faculty.
CEHD sees strong enrollment growth
91制片厂鈥檚 College of Education and Human Development is seeing notable enrollment growth for the 2025-2026 academic year, fueled by gains across several high-demand programs. Allied health science; educational leadership; exercise, sport, and health education; foods and nutrition; and recreation, parks and tourism combined for an increase of just over 30%, helping CEHD reach its highest fall semester enrollment since 2021.
鈥淩ising enrollment across these programs highlights the strength of our academic offerings and the growing interest in fields that support community well-being,鈥� said Tamara Wallace, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. 鈥淪tudents are choosing careers in health, education and recreation because they recognize how essential these professions are to improving lives and strengthening communities. We are committed to preparing graduates who will make an immediate and meaningful impact.鈥�
The increase is especially evident in the educational leadership program, where recruiters have focused on reaching working professionals.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 enrollment growth reflects the momentum we鈥檙e building across CEHD, and the educational leadership program is a major part of that story,鈥� said Brian Kitts, assistant professor and program coordinator in the School of Teacher Education. 鈥淥ur recruitment efforts have focused on meeting aspiring leaders where they are, whether they鈥檙e classroom teachers seeking advancement or professionals ready to step into school and district leadership roles. We鈥檙e seeing more students choose 91制片厂 because they know our program is responsive, relevant and deeply committed to preparing equity minded leaders for today鈥檚 schools.鈥�
Betsy D. Beamer Day proclaimed in Virginia
Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin presented a proclamation recognizing Betsy Davis Beamer Day to 91制片厂 Board of Visitors member Betsy D. Beamer 鈥�81 in gratitude for her decades of extraordinary service to the commonwealth.
鈥淎s a longtime public servant and leader of the Citizens鈥� Advisory Council, Betsy鈥檚 stewardship, integrity and devotion to preserving and interpreting the Executive Mansion have strengthened the People鈥檚 House and the Spirit of Virginia for generations to come,鈥� the First Lady wrote in a Facebook post.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Dec. 10, 2025, as Betsy Davis Beamer Day in honor of Beamer鈥檚 work in state government 鈥� she served as secretary of the commonwealth from 1994 to 1998 鈥� as well as civic and nonprofit causes. Read the official proclamation .
We Are 91制片厂 winner for January
The We Are 91制片厂 employee recognition program is a monthly honor recognizing an individual whose daily interactions with students and colleagues represent the best of the 91制片厂 experience. The winner for January is Dorothy Deverin, human resources generalist.
鈥淒orothy demonstrates excellence by ensuring efficient, compliant and effective processes in recruitment, hiring, compensation and retention,鈥� her nominator wrote. 鈥淪he fosters community through her daily work with academic departments, guiding leaders and employees through HR processes and providing consistent support that strengthens the workplace relationships.鈥�
Employees who have served at least one year at 91制片厂 are eligible to be recognized for upholding the university鈥檚 core values.