[Note: This release, originally issued on May 1, 2026, has been updated to reflect the addition of Norfolk State University as an additional institutional partner.]
NORFOLK, Va. — The CIVIC Leadership Institute today announced a significant expansion of the CIVIC Scholars Program, establishing it as a regional collegiate leadership initiative serving students across Hampton Roads. As part of this growth, Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan University (soon to be Batten University as of July 1), and Norfolk State University will join the program as new institutional partners, reflecting a shared investment in providing students with high-impact leadership and professional development experiences.
Originally founded 13 years ago by CIVIC Leadership Institute in partnership with Old Dominion University, and later expanding to include Tidewater Community College, CIVIC Scholars has grown into a premier, cohort-based experiential learning program.
“As a founding partner in the CIVIC Scholars Program, Old Dominion University is proud to have been part of CIVIC Scholars since its inception,” said Alonzo Brandon, ODU’s Vice President for University Advancement. “It is exciting to see the original vision of a regional program come to life, creating expanded opportunities for students to connect, grow, and lead across Hampton Roads.”
Through a year-long experience, high-potential college students build career-ready skills and develop connections with established leaders across Hampton Roads through mentorship, regional site visits, applied learning experiences, and service initiatives. “This expansion is a meaningful investment in the future of Hampton Roads,” said Dr. Mary Kate Andris, President & CEO of the CIVIC Leadership Institute. “If we want to retain top talent and strengthen our workforce, we have to create clear pathways for students to see and build their future here. CIVIC Scholars is helping make that possible.”
The addition of Regent University and Virginia Wesleyan University broadens access to the program and strengthens cross-institutional collaboration, creating new opportunities for students to learn from one another and build lasting connections across Hampton Roads.
“This is an important step in advancing CIVIC Scholars as a regional program,” said Kristin Stephens, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the CIVIC Leadership Institute. “CIVIC Scholars has always been about connecting students to meaningful leadership and professional development experiences. Expanding our university partnerships strengthens that impact, creating more opportunities for students to engage across institutions and build a more connected, collaborative pipeline of future leaders.”
Dr. Adam Williams, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Regent University, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are delighted to partner with CIVIC Leadership Institute. The Scholars program will provide Regent University students with exceptional opportunities for professional development, meaningful community engagement, and leadership formation. We are especially excited for our students to build relationships with peers from across the region and to learn from distinguished leaders in Hampton Roads. We look forward to seeing both our students and the broader community benefit from this partnership.
Virginia Wesleyan University also emphasized the value of the partnership and highlighted the involvement of the Jane P. Batten Honors College. Dr. Scott D. Miller, President of Virginia Wesleyan University, shared, “The Jane P. Batten Honors College was created to develop leaders of purpose. Our collaboration with CIVIC Scholars provides an ideal platform for our students to apply their talents, expand their networks, and contribute meaningfully to the communities they will one day lead.”
By expanding its university partnerships, the CIVIC Leadership Institute is advancing a shared vision: to equip students with the skills, experiences, and networks needed to launch successful careers and lead within the region.
About CIVIC Leadership Institute:
CIVIC Leadership Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Hampton Roads, Virginia, that welcomed its first class of executive leaders in 1996. Now celebrating 30 years of developing leaders and strengthening our region, CIVIC connects individuals from diverse backgrounds and provides a trusted platform to collaborate, share knowledge, and address regional challenges through innovative solutions.
For three decades, CIVIC Leadership Institute has played a vital role in nurturing the next generation of leaders in Hampton Roads, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and civic engagement.
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