Here’s a round-up of education briefs. Want more education news? There’s no full-time education reporter west of Richmond. You can help change that. Help fund us.

* * *

Virginia Private College Week is this week

July 25-30 marks the annual Virginia Private College Week where 23 private colleges in Virginia coordinate to hold special events for potential students. Students who visit in person or virtually three or more participating colleges from July 25-30 will receive three application fee waivers to use at any college participating in Virginia Private College Week. Students may use these waivers to apply to any three participating colleges for free. In addition, those who visit at least three colleges will be entered in a drawing to win one of five $100 Amazon gift cards.

For more on Virginia Private College Week, see the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia.

* * *

Ferrum College to hold open house

In conjunction with Virginia Private College Week, Ferrum College is hosting a summer open house for prospective new students and their families on July 28. The day will include campus tours; academic, admissions, financial aid, student life, and campus safety information sessions; a picnic; and more. For more information, visit ferrum.edu/open-house.

* * *

Averett University sets events

In conjunction with Virginia Private College Week, Averett University is holding tours at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday with additional tours at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The admissions team will host a social before each tour begins with food and refreshments.

* * *

Giovanni to headline conference at University of Lynchburg

The University of Lynchburg and Virginia Humanities will celebrate the life and work of Rosel Schewel ’71 MEd, ’83 EdS with a daylong conference on Saturday, Sept. 10. “Women’s Leadership in Democracies”: A Conference and Celebration Honoring Rosel H. Schewel will take place on the University campus in Schewel Hall.

The conference will feature a series of learning and networking events honoring the life and legacy of Schewel, a civic activist and champion of women’s rights and racial justice, who served as chair of the boards of Virginia Humanities and then-Lynchburg College.

The keynote speaker is award-winning poet and educator Nikki Giovanni. Other presentations and discussions will highlight women’s leadership in politics, business, education, and nonprofit organizations. A full schedule of events will be announced soon.

Registration is $25 for adults and $5 for students and includes continental breakfast, buffet lunch, and a closing reception. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.

The conference is made possible by the University of Lynchburg and Virginia Humanities, including the Rosel Schewel Fund.

For more information and to register, visit VaHumanities.org/schewel-women-democracy.

* * *

Virginia Tech receives grant for data analytics in agriculture

Virginia Tech recently received a $748,000 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to fund an annual 10-week research internship for undergraduates in data analytics in agriculture, community, and rural economics program referred to as DATA-ACRE. 

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and University Libraries led the program.

The DATA–ACRE grant provided the platform for Virginia Tech to continue to develop the Data Science for the Public Good program, which was first piloted in 2020 as part of a joint initiative across three states and five universities to conduct data science training to tackle challenges surrounding processes in agriculture and food production. 

The project-focused Data Science for the Public Good program provides DATA–ACRE students with two opportunities to present their summer research projects to the public:

  • Virginia Tech Summer Research Symposium: July 28, 2022, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Goodwin Hall Auditorium on the Virginia Tech campus
  • Data Science for the Public Good virtual Symposium on August 4, 2022, from 12 – 3 p.m.

Research project presentations will be on the following topics:

  • Agricultural Land Use Change in Powhatan and Goochland County
  • Using Remote Sensed Data for Social and Economic Decision Making in Zimbabwe
  • Sensing Drought in the Sahel for Household Climate Resilience
  • Illustrating Potential Opportunities for Community Schools in Loudoun County
  • Assessing Livelihood Diversification in Sundarbans, India using High-Frequency Data.

    The Fralin Life Sciences Institute of Virginia Tech matched $325,000 in funding for the Data Science for the Public Good program over the next five years.