When President Makola M. Abdullah set out to build an “opportunity university” at Virginia State University (VSU), he envisioned an institution where affordability, access, and economic mobility could thrive hand in hand. With one of the highest percentages of Pell-eligible students in Virginia and among the lowest tuition and net price in the state, VSU has worked intentionally to deliver on that vision. But limited resources and a leaner infrastructure have required the university to be highly strategic – prioritizing investments that truly move the needle for students. In this environment, the partnership between VSU and Ed Advancement has proven to be a catalyst for innovation, capacity building, and long-term impact.
Launched in 2022, the collaboration between VSU and Ed Advancement began with a series of high-impact, low-lift initiatives – from deploying a mental health crisis line to launching a graduate outcomes survey. These early wins laid the foundation for deeper, more ambitious projects, including a comprehensive strategic enrollment plan and a transformative CRM implementation. Today, the partnership continues to fuel innovation at VSU, culminating in the launch of the Front Porch Portal – a mobile-first student platform designed to unify key campus systems and services. This case study explores how steady, intentional collaboration has helped VSU walk before it runs – and why that runway is now accelerating toward the future.
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