Dear Friends,

We accomplish Southern Virginia University’s mission to help you become a leader-servant by providing you with the finest undergraduate education available in letters, arts, and sciences. I believe that the great leaders of the twenty-first century will demonstrate more than technical prowess. The great leaders of our day will be thoughtful observers of human nature and of the human condition. They will be gifted writers and orators. They will be adept at quantitative reasoning. They will be able to think critically and analyze complex information from a variety of perspectives and be able to draw from a broad foundation of knowledge. And as they make consequential decisions, they will act on sound principles.

The academic program at Southern Virginia University has been carefully designed to prepare you to become this type of a leader-servant. Our rich general education program will immerse you in the study of great human accomplishments in letters, arts, and sciences. Our carefully-selected majors will deepen your understanding of the importance of method, craft, and expertise in helping to make sense of a complex world. In all of our offerings, you will be asked to write more thoughtfully, express yourself more carefully, observe more closely, and listen more empathetically than you thought possible. And all of your work will be scrutinized closely by highly-qualified faculty and often by your fellow classmates.

Employers in our competitive global economy are seeking employees who think critically, analyze information rigorously, and communicate ideas effectively. The demanding preparation provided in our participative classrooms will hone your ability to become that kind of talented and sought-after worker. If you are anxious to prepare yourself for the challenges of leadership in our dynamic twenty-first century in an environment where your high moral standards are honored, please take full advantage of what Southern Virginia’s academic program has to offer.

Sincerely,

Paul S. Edwards, J.D., Ph.D.

Executive Vice President and Provost