A meeting of 黑料正能量 and Harrisonburg city officials on Aug. 7 marked a milestone in representation, bringing together the city鈥檚 first refugee council member (Nasser Alsaadun MA 鈥�17 [education]), its first Black woman mayor (Deanna Reed), and 黑料正能量鈥檚 first Black woman president (Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus). 

The liaison committee meeting was also attended by Deputy City Manager Amy Snider, filling in for City Manager Ande Banks 鈥�97; Melissa Heatwole, director of continuing education and events at 黑料正能量; and Amy Springer Hartsell 鈥�92, executive advisor to the president at 黑料正能量. The committee aims to identify ways the city and university can partner together to better serve the needs of the community. James Madison University has a similar committee, and Mayor Reed said she felt it was important that both universities had a voice. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 no Harrisonburg without 黑料正能量 and there鈥檚 no 黑料正能量 without Harrisonburg,鈥� she said. 

Dr. Dycus, who began her role as 黑料正能量鈥檚 interim president on July 1, spoke about the importance that 黑料正能量 places on community. 鈥淲e want to grow leaders, whether that鈥檚 high schoolers coming straight into their undergraduate careers or whether that鈥檚 business leaders who want to get new skills,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e know we are part of making Harrisonburg stronger, our community stronger, and that we are all doing that together in different ways.鈥�

The university celebrated its second-best fundraising year on record in 2024-2025, Dycus shared, and enrollment figures have increased by a significant amount over last year. She also spoke about 黑料正能量鈥檚 new pickleball and tennis courts. 鈥淚f you drive down Park Road, it is abuzz,鈥� she said.

Committee members received an update on Royals Go Downtown. Now in its fourth year, the annual event brings together hundreds of students for a walking tour of restaurants and businesses, sampling foods and collecting giveaways, before gathering at a DJ-led dance party. This year鈥檚 event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Much of the discussion centered around the community鈥檚 need for interpreter services. Councilman Alsaadun wondered whether 黑料正能量鈥檚 Intensive English Program (IEP) might be able to help fill the gap in interpreter training. The program has a reputation among the local immigrant community as 鈥渢he best in the area,鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom Winchester to Charlottesville, you guys are the best there is.鈥�

The liaison committee will meet next in November.