Welcome back to Extra Credit, a weekly roundup of education-related news from across Southwest and Southside Virginia.
We might be in the thick of summer, but education news doesn’t stop!
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Roanoke College launches new AI lab
Roanoke College is launching a program to educate professionals on artificial intelligence and equip them “with the skills and strategies needed to lead AI adoption.”
The seven-week WorkAI Lab will include hands-on training, expert instruction and peer collaboration, according to a news release. It’s geared toward individuals looking to expand their skills and employers interested in sponsoring seats for their employees.
Participants will earn a professional credential, an “AI-Forward Leadership” badge, and leave “with the ability to conduct AI training and identify opportunities to leverage AI tools in workflows,” according to the release.
This is just one new program Virginia colleges and universities are offering focused on artificial intelligence.
George Mason University is launching a master’s degree in artificial intelligence this fall, and the University of Mary Washington will launch a new master of science degree in artificial intelligence in business. Virginia Tech will also debut a new artificial intelligence minor this fall.
The University of Virginia will also pilot three new artificial intelligence literacy courses, and the University of Lynchburg offers a doctoral degree in executive leadership focused on the ethics of AI and technology.
The first group of Roanoke College’s WorkAI Lab students will start in September. Applications are open, and early bird pricing is available until July 15. Find more information at roanoke.edu/WorkAILab.
Roanoke County holds meet-and-greets with new superintendent
Roanoke County Public Schools is holding a series of community meetings this month where students, families and community members can learn more about new superintendent Jamie Soltis and his vision for the district.
Soltis was named superintendent in October to succeed longtime schools chief Ken Nicely, who retired last month.
Soltis previously served as deputy superintendent. He began his career with Roanoke County schools in 1999.
“I look forward to meeting with our students, staff, parents and community members to talk about the future of Roanoke County Public Schools,” Soltis said in a news release. “We already have exceptional schools and staff. Now we’re looking to get even better, and I want to hear from those we serve as to how we can best do so.”
Here’s the schedule of community meetings:
- July 20, 6-7 p.m., Northside High School
- July 21, 6-7 p.m., Glenvar High School
- July 27, 6-7 p.m., William Byrd High School
- July 30, 7-8 p.m., Hidden Valley High School
- Aug. 6, 6-7 p.m., Cave Spring High School
School board members will also attend the community meetings.
Roanoke County isn’t the only school district in Southside and Southwest Virginia starting the 2026-27 school year with a new leader.
Last month, Amherst County Public Schools named Melody Sheppard its next superintendent after Tim Hoden announced in February that he was stepping down.
Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent Verletta White last month also announced she will retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
University of Lynchburg dining services gets national acclaim
University of Lynchburg students are eating at award-winning facilities — at least according to the National Association of College & University Food Services.
The school’s Burton Dining Hall earned a bronze award for residential dining facility of the year. The award celebrates “exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning, and new dining concepts,” according to a news release.
This is the third year that the university has been recognized by the national college food services association. This year’s entry highlighted the work dining services employees do on a regular basis as well as “how staff rose to the occasion during extraordinary times” last winter, according to the release.
During Winter Storm Fern in January, “the entire city was shut down,” Shaun Dearden, the university’s director of dining services, said in a news release. “But our dining team was here.”
The team communicated with students and their families via social media, ensuring parents that their children were being taken care of.
“It was a super proud moment. It shows the level of pride and commitment that our dining team takes toward the University and taking care of our students,” Dearden said.
Chef John Barker noted the award is “all encompassing.”
“It’s not about Burton Dining Hall as a facility or specific events held there, but about what we do everyday. I think that’s what makes us great,” he said in the release.
