For Immediate Release
Contact:
Angela Hayes
Director, Communications
ahayes@vuu.edu
804.807.0122
Virginia Union University Launching Smart Campus
VUU will provide first-year students with a bundle including iPad Air, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro
RICHMOND, VA – Virginia Union University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) is thrilled to announce this transformative initiative, which will create a culture of innovation by providing first-year students with a technology bundle of multiple Apple products to support their success on campus. The new initiative, Mobile Learning, Mobile Life will provide incoming first-year students with iPad Air, Apple Pencil, Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro to support students’ education and campus life at VUU. This initiative demonstrates the importance VUU places on providing the most successful university experience for students, and preparing them for the digital lifestyle and workplace requirements of the future.
“Creating a Smart Campus at VUU is critical to the academic learning environment of a 21st Century student. Apple has the products, apps, and professional learning support that will allow our students to access books, classes and research materials at their fingertips,” said Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, President and CEO of Virginia Union University. “Our collaboration goes much further than technology; Smart Campus will help as we prepare students to enter the workforce, putting them on the path to generational wealth.”
Beginning with the incoming class of 2025, each cohort of freshmen students will receive an Apple product bundle, giving them access to learn from anywhere at any time. The University chose to make these Apple products available to incoming students to provide them with a significant leg up in their success. In addition, VUU will offer Apple’s coding and app development curriculum to all students, to prepare them for technology careers post-graduation, and contribute to the growing number of students of color in STEM professions.
The Mobile Learning, Mobile Life Initiative will assist students to better navigate the university experience, connect and collaborate with other students and faculty, and better engage in preparation for their future careers. iPad Air will provide equitable access to learning and campus services for all Freshmen students, with a powerful tool that offers incredible mobility, versatility, and durability. Student ID in Apple Wallet will also provide a cutting-edge, secure and seamless campus experience for students to access campus facilities, buy food and more—all with a tap of their Apple Watch. Apple Watch also supports campus health and wellness initiatives. And AirPods Pro will be used to help all students focus their attention during online courses.
"At Apple, we believe education is a powerful force for equity and opportunity, and we’re excited to work with Virginia Union University to support their new Mobile Learning, Mobile Life initiative,” said Susan Prescott, Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise & Education Marketing. “We’re proud that Apple products will be an integral part of student life for VUU Panthers, and can’t wait to see where the future takes them.”
This new initiative is one of several as part of the 2025 initiative to ensure student success.
“The future of VUU depends on our students' success and how the members of our community stay relevant and innovative,” said Dr. Allia L. Carter, EVP/COO of Virginia Union University. “We believe that our ongoing work with Apple will allow us to keep pace with a continually-evolving global environment."
About Virginia Union University
Virginia Union University is a premier liberal arts urban institution of higher education and center of excellence for the preparation of students and the development of leaders for tomorrow’s world. It was founded in 1865 to give newly emancipated slaves an opportunity for education and advancement. Virginia Union University offers a broad range of educational opportunities that advance liberal arts education, teaching, research, science, technology, continuing education, civic engagement, and international experiences. Visit https://www.vuu.edu/ for more information.