Radford University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Radford Transit provides safe, reliable and convenient public transit to the citizens of Radford, Radford University students, faculty and staff and those who live in the surrounding areas. Professionally operated by New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) Transit Services, Radford Transit was established on August 8, 2011 through a joint partnership between Radford University, Radford City, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and the Federal Transit Administration. New River Valley Community Services provides community-based behavioral health services which promote independence and improved quality of life for our citizens. As the New River Valley’s public provider of behavioral health services, NRVCS (New River Valley Community Services) is committed to ensuring that culturally competent services are provided to our consumers. This policy incorporates the concept of equal and non-discriminatory services that are matched to the individual consumer’s needs. Non-discrimination statement New River Valley Community Services prohibits discrimination in employment, as well as services for consumers, or agency sanctioned activities, on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender expression. NRVCS recruits, manages, develops, and retains qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the population served in order to provide the highest quality of services in support of the agency’s mission. Recognizing the ever-changing landscape of diversity in our community, New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) is pleased to offer selected diversity trainings to businesses and non-profit organizations – each one facilitated by a pair of NRVCS’ certified diversity trainers. Radford Transit supports social equity and wellbeing, economic prosperity, and ecological health. General Public Fare is $1.00. Radford University employees and students, all senior citizens, and people with disabilities ride free. RT provides affordable or free rides to all people throughout the city and surrounding areas, getting people to and from work and to local businesses, while reducing single occupancy vehicles on the road.

Green Infrastructure Project- https://www.radfordva.gov/843/Green-Infrastructure-Project The City of Radford Green Infrastructure Project was a collaboration between the GIS Center, Department of Geospatial Science, and the City of Radford to further green infrastructure planning both in the city and on campus. The project was funded by a grant from the Green Infrastructure Center (http://www.gicinc.org/index.htm) to support training, data analysis, and planning meetings.  The grant was awarded to Dr. Andrew Foy and the City of Radford GIS Manager, Jennifer Whiteis. Geospatial data to support planning was developed by students in Dr. Stockton Maxwell's Intermediate GIS courses. Radford University provided computing resources, meeting rooms, and faculty time. The project aided the City of Radford with future planning decisions. 

Students in the Sustainability Leadership Team launched and continue to run a Food Recovery Network (FRN) chapter at Radford University. The FRN team delivers food twice a week to Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, a local organization that provides free meals to people in the community in need. The FRN Chapter is supported by the Radford University Sustainability Office who provides cooler bags for transport, training, meeting space, and other logistical support. FRN is open to all students and is continuously training new volunteers and recruiting new members.