New River Community College (NRCC) and Radford University (RU) have announced a new collaboration, a shared student advisor position designed to strengthen transfer pathways and improve student success.
The position is part of RU’s Tartan Transfer Program partnership with NRCC announced last year.
The shared advisor role is intended to provide students with consistent, coordinated guidance from community college enrollment through transfer and completion of a bachelor’s degree at Radford University. By aligning advising resources, NRCC and Radford aim to reduce barriers, clarify degree pathways, and help students transition seamlessly between institutions.
NRCC and Radford University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing a shared advising position between the two institutions on Dec. 17, 2025.
“I believe this agreement marks a natural evolution of the successful Tartan Transfer program,” said Brandon. “Where Tartan Transfer provides the pathway that students can use to transfer successfully between our institutions, this new advisor will ensure that when students arrive at the university, they will already be connected with someone who knows them, understands their goals, and can help them find their place. New River Community College transfer students will now have someone walking with them the entire way through their educational journey.”
“Radford University is proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with New River Community College through this shared advisor program,” said Danilowicz. “By embedding dedicated transfer support directly at NRCC, we are strengthening a pathway that helps students complete their degrees with clarity, confidence and momentum. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunity across the New River Valley and ensuring that every student has the guidance they need to reach their goals.”
Attendees at the MOU signing included NRCC President Robert Brandon and RU President Bret Danilowicz, RU Assistant Provost for Student Success Jerel Benton, RU Vice President of Enrollment Management & Strategic Communications Dannette Gomez Beane; and NRCC Interim Dean of Student Services Tammy Smith, NRCC Interim Dean of Health Professions Debbie Bond, NRCC Dean of Business and Technologies Lori Lavery, and Dean of Arts and Sciences Sarah Tolbert-Hurysz, Dean of Instructional Services and Innovation Pam Hanks, Interim Executive Director of the NRCC Educational Foundation Dee Dee Kennedy representing institutional leadership and student success initiatives from both partners.
Radford University officially launched the Tartan Transfer Program to streamline the transfer process for students from eight Virginia Community College System (VCCS) institutions, including NRCC. Radford and the eight community college representatives signed the broader transfer agreement at a ceremony held Nov. 6, 2024 on RU’s campus.
The Tartan Transfer Program creates an accessible and career-focused pathway for community college students seeking to continue their education at Radford University.
Through this partnership, students benefit from enhanced advising support, clearer transfer pathways, and a more affordable route to earning a bachelor’s degree.
NRCC
