Welcome Back, Trojans!

Dear Fellow Trojans,

Congratulations on completing your first full week of Fall 2024. The VSU faculty, staff, and I can't even begin to express how excited we are to welcome you for the Fall 2024 semester. This will be an exciting year in the Land of Troy, with many new faces around campus.

To our approximately 1,400 new first-year students, welcome to your new home. We’re thrilled to have you join the Trojan family and are here to support you every step of the way. To all of our returning Trojans, we hope you enjoyed the summer break and could spend time recharging and reconnecting with friends and family before another school year.

I encourage each of you to remember why you are here, maintain focus, and take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Everyone here wants you to succeed and help you on your pathway to greater. Your academic success is at the forefront of our mission, and we are committed to providing you with the necessary resources to help you become an informed citizen and global leader.

To fulfill that mission, VSU always seeks to expand and enhance our academic offerings and resources. With that in mind, here are some notable achievements we announced over the summer.

Starting this semester, we officially offer three new degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students. VSU now offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Science in Data Analytics, and a Master of Business Administration. These new degree programs highlight our commitment to academic excellence and dedication to finding new ways to enhance the student experience here at VSU.

Additionally, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited our online nursing program, marking the first time in the University's history that a nursing program has been nationally accredited. We are incredibly proud of this significant accomplishment and thank everyone who helped make it happen.

While walking around campus, you will notice that we are progressing on our new Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons Building. With an expected completion date of August 2025, we are inching closer and closer to unveiling this state-of-the-art facility.

These are exciting times at VSU, and we are honored to be part of your journey. As we celebrate these exciting developments, it’s also crucial to remember that our vibrant community thrives on mutual respect and vigilance. While we are committed to ensuring your safety, it’s important to remember that safety is a shared responsibility. By staying vigilant and looking out for one another, we can maintain a secure and thriving community.

I know we have a resilient and united community. Together, we will move forward with confidence, knowing that we are stronger when we stand as one. As we embark on this new academic year, let's embrace the opportunities before us, support one another, and continue striving for excellence in all we do.

Let's put our best foot forward this year and show everyone why GREATER Happens Here at VSU.

Sincerely,

Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D.

President