Topic: Marshall?s Smith optimistic about future enrollment at the school...

[GreenSteve]

Marshall University?s Board of Governors (BOG) met with school officials during their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday at the Resort at Glade Springs. University President Brad Smith told the board that the school has a plan to address a declining enrollment over the past 13 years, and address a fiscal deficit of $28 million.

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/09/marshalls-smith-optimistic-about-future-enrollment-at-the-school/

[svherd]

Sounds like our student recruitment efforts in the past were lackluster at best. Glad that trend is turning around.

[puma]

I really hope something is figured out and the situation going on in Morgantown can be avoided.

[goherd73]

From Jesten Richardson's reporting in this mornings Herald Dispatch...


In updates given during the board?s meeting on Tuesday, both Marshall Provost Avi Mukherjee and Marshall President Brad D. Smith discussed gains in enrollment at Marshall.

We are looking forward to a really exciting new academic year,? Mukherjee said. ?There is a lot of progress happening in the field of enrollment. ... I can say that our first-year enrollment is going to be significantly up this year, as it looks like right now.?

Smith said fall 2024 enrollment at Marshall is trending ahead of plan. He said fall enrollment in Marshall?s aviation program is 136% above planned for the flight school and 58% above planned for the aviation maintenance and technician program.


Mukherjee said Marshall is looking at a sizable increase in the number of metro students compared to last year and an increase in the number of transfer, graduate and online students.

?The metro students are up; the transfer students are up; the online learners are up, Smith said. If we keep this trend on pace, through the fall of 24, it'll be the strongest enrollment we've seen at Marshall in recent history.


https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall-board-of-governors-hears-updates-on-enrollment-demolitions-at-marshall/article_26c55964-c6f8-5644-b27f-f3def55d8186.html

[coalherd]

I believe some of the recent WV Legislature's special session dealt with allocating some of the State's budget surplus monies to various State entities.  From what I read in the Charleston paper, HD Media, some of that money is supposedly go to MU and its budget deficit.  Other monies are/were allocated to the MU Cybersecurity Program/Facility which is to be located just across from Old Main along Hal Greer Blvd on 4th Ave. MU is supposed to receive future funds for this Program from the US Department of Defense, and it is supposed to be the East Coast version of major Federal Cybersecurity efforts going forward (the other one, West Coast version, is to be in Texas).  According to the info, President Smith and MU are looking for the facility/program to be a major "magnet" for new MU students in the future as well as job growth in the Huntington-Tri-State area!!

[BigJimslade]

Marshall University?s Board of Governors (BOG) met with school officials during their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday at the Resort at Glade Springs. University President Brad Smith told the board that the school has a plan to address a declining enrollment over the past 13 years, and address a fiscal deficit of $28 million.

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/09/marshalls-smith-optimistic-about-future-enrollment-at-the-school/

He was brought in to increase enrollment among other things
Optimistic BS

[Flat Tire 2]

Marshall University receives $45 million for Cyber Security Institute

UNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) ? Marshall University has received an investment of $45 million from the State of West Virginia to build a state-of-the-art institute for cyber security.
Leaders say the facility will be located between downtown Huntington and Marshall?s Huntington campus on the site of the former Husson?s pizza. The current structure is set to be demolished.
The proposed building will house cyber security technology and training programs, where industry from throughout Appalachia and the country will find training, mentoring and learn the most up-to-date cyber trends.
It is estimated there are more than 700,000 cyber security job openings in the United States alone.

?All of this would not be possible without the strong support of our West Virginia Congressional Delegation as well,? Smith continued.  ?U.S. Sen. Manchin and U.S. Sen Capito have worked tirelessly to help develop strategic partnerships with federal agencies that have led to Marshall?s selection as a Center of Excellence for Cyber Security by the U.S. Cyber Command, as well as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency.?

Gov. Jim Justice included the supplemental appropriation funding for legislators to consider during a special session this week in Charleston, saying Marshall is quickly becoming the cyber security hub of Appalachia.

https://www.wsaz.com/2023/08/09/marshall-university-receives-45-million-cyber-security-institute/

[Garbanjo]

He was brought in to increase enrollment among other things
Optimistic BS

Wolf,

Why is this troll dbag still on the board?

#gfylittlejimmy

[Flat Tire 2]

The press release from MU. The below remarks seem to indicate that Brad Smith has caught the attention of state officials. The positive comments on Smith's leadership is probably a first for a MU President by state officials. This should end any doubts about Smith's leadership and vision for MU.

Marshall University receives $45 million from state for revolutionary cyber security institute

August 9, 2023

Senate President Craig Blair said he was so proud of the Legislature for their support of the investment into Marshall.
?We are working to be the leader in driving high-tech, new economy jobs, and I am excited that we?ll be able to educate and train an entire new generation of cybersecurity experts right here in the State of West Virginia. President Smith?s expertise and experience make Marshall the perfect fit for a program like this one, and I applaud his leadership in the development of the Institute for Cyber Security,? Blair said.

?Marshall University is poised to become a national leader in cyber security and this $45 million boost is proof we as a state wholeheartedly endorse and support the program?s growth,? Justice said. ?The remarkable efforts of President Smith and his team at Marshall are truly exceptional, and we should all be proud that one of our state?s top universities is making significant strides in this critical industry. I thank those in the West Virginia Legislature for their efforts in appropriating these funds.?

?The work Marshall University has already put into this effort is exciting for the entire state, and we should all applaud their foresight,? said House Speaker Roger Hanshaw. ?At a time when so many of our state?s leaders are collaborating to put West Virginia on the map as a leader in a 21st Century economy, I was proud to cast a vote to help allocate one-time surplus funds to help invest in this infrastructure that will boost the university as a national leader in cybersecurity.?

https://www.marshall.edu/news/2023/08/marshall-university-receives-45-million-from-state-for-revolutionary-cyber-security-institute/

[goherd73]

https://twitter.com/farrellpatrickj/status/1689330007460446208?s=46&t=HVRbUPZmhUuMR_6LKCnQFQ

[Herdiowa]

Always helps enrollment when WVU?s sports teams go in the tank.  Kids want to be associated with a winner.

[coalherd]

https://twitter.com/farrellpatrickj/status/1689330007460446208?s=46&t=HVRbUPZmhUuMR_6LKCnQFQ

Ummm, pretty good indication that ideas and plans on President Brad Smith's desk in Old Main will result in something besides COBWEBS!!!

[herdman22]

My daughter is a junior at MU.  When she graduated we visited MU and WVU.  The tour at MU was terrible. The tour at WVU was outstanding. Naturally we know MU, didn't really need a tour or visit, but took her anyway. If we didn't have connections to MU it would have been marked off our list after that visit. On the other hand, I left WVU very impressed.

Fast forward to this year and my son going to MU. Visit and tour much improved. Smith is already making a difference and I expect it will only improve. We are truly fortunate to have him as our president.


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[svherd]

My daughter is a junior at MU.  When she graduated we visited MU and WVU.  The tour at MU was terrible. The tour at WVU was outstanding. Naturally we know MU, didn't really need a tour or visit, but took her anyway. If we didn't have connections to MU it would have been marked off our list after that visit. On the other hand, I left WVU very impressed.

Fast forward to this year and my son going to MU. Visit and tour much improved. Smith is already making a difference and I expect it will only improve. We are truly fortunate to have him as our president.


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In the past Marshall has been its own worst enemy. Little effort into recruitment. Little to no mail or email correspondence to potential students. Smith saw that and is making big changes. He is getting it done. Too bad he wasn't here 20 years ago.  I still receive stuff from OU, EKU, etc. where I purchased tickets in years past.

[herd2win]

I made a dumb statement a few months ago saying I was not seeing a big difference with Brad Smith verses other presidents.  We are seeing results of his drive, intelligence and connections.  He is for sure a difference maker.

The scary part is that if he wants it, the school up North will want him to replace Gee or that even other universities will want him.  I know he loves MU but don't discount what could happen.

[miltonherdfan]

I made a dumb statement a few months ago saying I was not seeing a big difference with Brad Smith verses other presidents.  We are seeing results of his drive, intelligence and connections.  He is for sure a difference maker.

The scary part is that if he wants it, the school up North will want him to replace Gee or that even other universities will want him.  I know he loves MU but don't discount what could happen.

Brad's already been to the top & succeeded with Intuit, i don't think he goes anywhere unless it'd be for a completely different life challenge (unrelated to academia).  he doesn't need money.  he's from here.  he could've applied to & been a formidable candidate for any university presidency in America, & he chose to come home & be here.

[marshallmark]

Brad's already been to the top & succeeded with Intuit, i don't think he goes anywhere unless it'd be for a completely different life challenge (unrelated to academia).  he doesn't need money.  he's from here.  he could've applied to & been a formidable candidate for any university presidency in America, & he chose to come home & be here.

WVU pays its president just shy of $900k.  Marshall pays north of $400k.  Do you really think Brad Smith is going to make a change over 1/2 million dollars?  He's worth 1500 times that amount. 

[herdfan48]

In the past Marshall has been its own worst enemy. Little effort into recruitment. Little to no mail or email correspondence to potential students. Smith saw that and is making big changes. He is getting it done. Too bad he wasn't here 20 years ago.  I still receive stuff from OU, EKU, etc. where I purchased tickets in years past.

I still receive email from Akron and I think that it was 2014 when we played up there.


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[herd2win]

WVU pays its president just shy of $900k.  Marshall pays north of $400k.  Do you really think Brad Smith is going to make a change over 1/2 million dollars?  He's worth 1500 times that amount.

Brad already donated $25 million to WVU.  What if he is happy after a couple of years what he accomplished at MU and wants to leave his mark also in WVU.  Not a money play at all.

[CJHerdgrad]

WVU pays its president just shy of $900k.  Marshall pays north of $400k.  Do you really think Brad Smith is going to make a change over 1/2 million dollars?  He's worth 1500 times that amount.

Yep.  Depending on the source, he's worth somewhere between $300 million to $600 million....maybe more. 

[marshallmark]

Yep.  Depending on the source, he's worth somewhere between $300 million to $600 million....maybe more.

Forbes says $770 mil

[CJHerdgrad]

My daughter is a junior at MU.  When she graduated we visited MU and WVU.  The tour at MU was terrible. The tour at WVU was outstanding. Naturally we know MU, didn't really need a tour or visit, but took her anyway. If we didn't have connections to MU it would have been marked off our list after that visit. On the other hand, I left WVU very impressed.

Fast forward to this year and my son going to MU. Visit and tour much improved. Smith is already making a difference and I expect it will only improve. We are truly fortunate to have him as our president.


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Yeah.  One of ours went to WVU and is graduating this December.  My daughter-in-law has her BS and MS from WVU.  They worked at the Visitor's Center at WVU which organizes the campus tours for students/parents.  They do it right scheduling the visits to program of choice, talking to professors, GAs, and maybe top seniors in those programs.  I was baffled at MU's lack of effort in that area alone.  None of our kids received one item of mail from MU when they were high school seniors.  All 3 received a lot mail from WVU, Univ of Charleston, Fairmont State, all the community colleges, and WVU Tech.

Our youngest chose WVU because that was one of two schools in the state that has that degree field (he didn't choose them for their sports, and he only watches NHL hockey of all things).  My daughter chose that school as it was far from home.  Her little sister chose it for the parties, but she managed to graduate somehow.

[CJHerdgrad]

My wife is doing her part.  She's getting ready to start her 2nd Semester of the Masters in Counseling program at MU.  It's all on-line and she's still working full-time. 

[marshallmark]

Brad already donated $25 million to WVU.  What if he is happy after a couple of years what he accomplished at MU and wants to leave his mark also in WVU.  Not a money play at all.

While technically that's true, he donated it for WVU to administer a program designed to improve entrepreneurial opportunities in outdoor recreation, AND to assist Ascend WV relocation program that's now limited to Morgantown, Fayetteville, Lewisburg, Elkins and the eastern panhandle b/c of infrastructure limitations (i.e. suitable internet) and access to outdoor recreation.  Marshall doesn't offer outdoor study/experience support like WVU does, and Marshall isn't close to one of the targeted areas for the Ascend program relocations.  I can tell you from discussions I've had with him, that if Marshall had either of those things, it would be administering the donation - not WVU.   

From his website: 

In 2020, Brad and Alys Smith gave $25 million dollars to West Virginia University. Their donation focuses on supporting cutting-edge programs that bolster the state?s economy, expand access for students to explore educational opportunities outdoors, and create top-grade recreational infrastructure to help bring communities together. Titled the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC), WVU?s new initiative is focused on inspiring students through experiential learning in the arts and sciences. The OEDC also launched a 2021 remote workers program titled Ascend West Virginia to support individuals and their families as they relocate to the Mountain State for a high quality of life among the natural beauty of Appalachia.

[Jbabbington]

Brad isn't going to go to another university, his love for Marshall/Huntington is beyond comprehension. What is likely though is a possible run in politics, specifically Governor. What I can see happening is Brad doing 2, possibly 3 total contracts with MU - spanning about 10 years. Transforming Marshall and Huntington and then running on that. "Hey, look what I did to turn around Huntington - I'll do that for the state."