Edward Waters University officially launched the 2025–2026 academic year with enthusiasm, vision, and a profound act of generosity during last week’s annual Faculty and Staff Opening Institute. The day was marked by a surprise announcement from President & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr., and First Lady Tyciee Faison, who pledged a $50,000 personal gift to the University, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the continued growth and excellence of Florida’s first HBCU.
The heartfelt announcement drew a standing ovation from faculty and staff, reflecting the shared sense of purpose and momentum that has come to define the Edward Waters community.
“This gift is simply an expression of our deep and abiding love for Edward Waters University and our belief in the extraordinary promise of this institution,” President Faison remarked. “First Lady Faison and I made this contribution not out of obligation, but out of deep conviction—we believe in the transformative work taking place here, and we want to help ensure it continues to flourish. We’re not just asking others to invest in EWU—we’re leading by example.”
To kick off the day, the campus community received a series of important institutional updates and participated in dynamic team-building activities. In a joint presentation, Dr. Genyne Henry Boston, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/SACSCOC Liaison, and Dr. Michael West, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Operations, and Process Optimization, provided a detailed reflection on the University’s decennial reaffirmation of accreditation process.
They chronicled the significant progress made during the 2024–2025 academic year, including the successful submission of the Compliance Certification Report in September, followed by the Focused Report submitted in January in response to feedback from the SACSCOC Off-Site Review Committee. They also recapped the multi-day On-Site Committee visit that took place this past March, describing it as a critical milestone in the process.
Both leaders offered heartfelt gratitude to the entire Edward Waters community, noting that the reaffirmation effort was a campus-wide achievement made possible by the tremendous dedication, collaboration, and hard work of faculty, staff, and administrators. They shared that the University now looks forward—with great anticipation—to receiving the final decision from SACSCOC in December during the organization’s annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.
They also outlined the roadmap for a yearlong strategic planning process, which will include inclusive campus-wide engagement and culminate in the development of a bold new ten-year strategic plan to guide Edward Waters University’s continued growth and innovation.
Faculty and staff also received an update and overview of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), titled Write On Time, presented by Dr. Nicolas Michaud, EWU faculty member and QEP Director. Dr. Michaud highlighted the institution’s continued implementation progress on this critical writing-intensive initiative, which is designed to enhance student learning through improved writing instruction, timely feedback, and integrated curricular strategies. Attendees were provided with key insights on ongoing assessment measures, student engagement outcomes, and strategies for continued campus-wide collaboration in support of QEP goals.
New team members were also formally introduced. Vice President for Finance, Administration, and Business Innovation, Ms. Erika Ancrum, led the introduction of new faculty, staff, and administrators, spotlighting the critical contributions they will make across the University’s academic, operational, and student-facing divisions.
To foster camaraderie and engagement, Mr. Carl Matthews, Director of Residence Life & Housing, Student Integrity and Conduct, energized the room with a spirited and interactive round of “Get to Know Your Colleagues” bingo. The activity had the entire auditorium on its feet, sparking laughter, dialogue, and meaningful connections across departments.
