Vol. 66, Issue 14
12.16.2022
757-823-8177
NSU President discusses housing, graduation rates and other issues
Norfolk State University president, Dr. Javaune Adams- Gaston, recently met with reporters from the Spartan Echo to discuss some of the challenges and successes faced by the university over the past few semesters. She also discussed the future of NSU and what to expect from the university in the midst of transition.
Dr. Adams-Gaston, affectionately known by students as “Dr. J,” began her tenure at NSU in June 2019. Her first year leading the university was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the university was forced into transitioning all classes online during the Spring 2020 semester. Since her arrival, NSU has expanded its curriculum offerings by adding Master of Cybersecurity and Master of Cyber Psychology degree programs. Under her leadership, the university has developed partnerships with Sentara Healthcare, Appalachian School of Law, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, USAA, and others.
Norfolk State faced another challenge during the 2021-2022 academic year as Babette Smith South, also known as one of “The Towers,” was closed due to health and safety concerns. Babette Smith houses many students, but particularly freshmen. Closing the dormitory created a campus housing shortage that resulted in the university placing some students in hotels as the Fall 2022 semester began.
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particularly freshmen. Closing the dormitory created a campus housing shortage that resulted in the university placing some students in hotels as the Fall 2022 semester began. Dr. Adams-Gaston insisted that the university doesn’t want to lose people that are dedicated and committed to being here, which is why the university is making accommodations for students during this time.
She stated that it will take a year to renovate the dormitory and revealed plans to construct a new revealed plans to construct a new tower in the future.
revealed plans to construct a new tower in the future. She emphasized that “Our focus is to make sure everyone has a safe environment and an environment where they can manage during this time of transition,”said Adams-Gaston.
One of the main priorities for NSU administration this semester was to get as many freshmen as possible on campus despite the housing shortage. Dr. Adams-Gaston explained that NSU Student Affairs
Please see page 3, President discusses NSU issues.
By Destinee Broaddus