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By David Simpson and Annette Finley-Croswhite

The Center for Faculty Development is happy to welcome Â鶹¹ú²úAV's new president, Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, and first lady, Dr. Marisela Rosas Hemphill.

Since arriving over the summer, President Hemphill has visited Â鶹¹ú²úAV divisions, met with alumni around the commonwealth and outlined key principles that will guide the University's path forward: excellence, accountability, transparency and being student-centered in all ways. Among his priorities are enrollment growth; diversity, equity and inclusion; and a relaunch of the strategic planning process.

At the New Faculty Orientation held on Aug. 18, President Hemphill encouraged new faculty to: 1) take advantage of every opportunity to engage at Â鶹¹ú²úAV, whatever one's interest or passion; 2) look for opportunities to interact with students beyond the classroom; 3) join in the journey to promote student success and well-being; and 4) help tell the Â鶹¹ú²úAV story as the University moves to better brand and market itself as an institution.

President Hemphill was previously president of Radford University. Before that, he was president of West Virginia State University and vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Northern Illinois University.

He earned his bachelor's degree in organizational communication from Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina; his master's in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State, and his doctorate in higher education administration and policy studies from the University of Iowa.

He is married to Dr. Marisela Rosas Hemphill, who advocates providing students with multicultural and global experiences. She earned her doctorate in student affairs administration and research from the University of Iowa, and her past positions include director of student activities at Colgate University.

President Hemphill is highly visible. Don't be surprised to see him at venues all over campus. Teaching and research faculty should note that an open forum to meet with him has been announced for Sept. 8 at noon and Sept. 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena.