Virginia Union University October 14, 2020 VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY BRINGS HBCU EXPERIENCE TO THE CLOUD WITH LAUNCH OF DISTANCE LEARNING INITIATIVE VUU GLOBAL FIRST INITIATIVE 'PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES' FEATURING JOURNALIST ROLAND MARTIN, FORMER JORDAN BRAND PRESIDENT LARRY MILLER, AUTHOR MICHAEL ERIC DYSON, MUSICIAN CHARLES JENKINS, SPORTS ANALYST JALEN ROSE AND ATTORNEY WILL STUTE Virginia Union University, a premier liberal arts university, today announced the launch of VUU Global, a new distance learning venture, bringing the "HBCU Experience" to the cloud. VUU Global will provide high-quality opportunities and continuing education experiences to learners across the globe. The launch is part of a broader strategy to reduce or remove barriers, such as time and space, to educational opportunity in hopes of uniting communities, creating change. It's timely given international travel restrictions and limited campus access due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first major initiative powered by VUU Global is the 'Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series,' sponsored through the Center for the Study of HBCUs. This year's distinguished lecturers include notable personalities like journalist Roland Martin; Larry Miller, Former President of Jordan Brand, Nike, Inc.; author Michael Eric Dyson, Professor, Vanderbilt University; prominent attorney Will Stute; gospel artist and musician Charles Jenkins; athlete and sports analyst Jalen Rose. The 'Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series' provides learners with access to world-class lectures on a diverse range of topics and disciplines vital to our world today taught by distinguished thought leaders across multiple industries. Housed within the Center for the Study of HBCUs at Virginia Union University, the virtual sessions will give learners the opportunity to participate in an educational experience with the perks and flexibility of enrollment without the full-time commitment. Roland Martin will kick off the series with two sessions held on Wednesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 28 at 12:00 PM ET entitled "The Past, Present and Future of Black-Owned Media." In addition to that topic, Martin will also cover politics, Election 2020, racial injustice in the United States and the importance of HBCUs. Subsequent lectures from the slate of guest lecturers also include business, politics, music, law and sports. "2020 is a year of continuous innovation at Virginia Union University," said university Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Terrell Strayhorn. "We are excited to bring the latest advances in technology to VUU and to our community - both academically and entrepreneurially. We are committed to creating new tools to develop scholars, leaders and lifelong learners beyond our Richmond footprint. With the launch of VUU Global and our alliance through the Center for the Study of HBCUs with prominent leaders known for their significant contributions in business, sports, journalism, theology, music and technology, we hope to enrich the education and lives of our students and virtual learners around the globe," said Strayhorn who serves as Director of the Center. As HBCUs and businesses adapt to the changing environment, VUU Global seeks to provide learners across the globe with access to affordable, high-quality life-long opportunities that help all secure the promise of a limitless future. In the course of time, VUU Global will offer virtual lectures, fully online certificates, webinars, and continuing education at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. "With VUU Global, the distinctive 'HBCU Experience' will be within reach of millions instantly through the cloud," said Interim Dean of VUU Global, Dr. LaTrelle Green. VUU Global is one of several ways the University lives out its access mission, meeting the rising educational, professional, and spiritual needs of learners everywhere. For life-long learners seeking additional information on VUU Global or to secure a spot in the "The Presidential Lecture Series," visit https://www.vuu.edu/academics/vuu-global to register. Space is limited. Sign up today. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs - Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. 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