Summer Institute

Each year, the Summer Institute engages with students and presents on issues relevant to U.S. higher education leaders. The guest scholar and speaker for the Dubois lecture will engage with students during some of the time during your week on campus. 

Upcoming and Past guest scholars have included:

2025: Dr. Lance Gooden, Provost Valencia College and Community College Scholar

2024: Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan, Dean of the College of Education, University of Utah, Professor & Community College Scholar

2022: Dr. Cliff Harbor, Retired Professor in the Higher Education Administration Program, University of North Texas

2021: Dr. Eddie Cole, Associate Professor, University of California, Los Angeles

2020: Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, Secretary of Higher Education, New Jersey and Robert Shibley, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE)

2019: Dr. Robert Kelchen, Associate Professor, Seton Hall University

2018: Dr. Amalia Dache-Gerbino, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri

2017: Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, President of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC)

The DuBois Leadership Lecture was named in honor of Chancellor Glenn DuBois of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) at a special ceremony. The DuBois Leadership Lecture Series is designed to recognize Chancellor DuBois' advocacy for state and national policies that have contributed to student success throughout his career.

DuBois Leadership Lectures:

2025: Dr. Lance Gooden, Provost Valencia College and Community College Scholar

2024: Dr. Frankie Santos Laanan, Dean of the College of Education, University of Utah, Professor & Community College Scholar

2022: Dr. Ghazala Hashmi, Virginia State Senator, Dr. Ellen Davenport, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and Governmental Relations for the Virginia Community College System, and Dr. Robin Isserles, Professor of Sociology at the Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York

2021: Dr. Lorenzo Baber, Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago

2020: Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis, Secretary of Higher Education, New Jersey

2019: Dr. Jaime Lester, Editor, Community College Review

2018: Dr. Monty Sullivan, President, Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)

2017: Dr. Walter Bumphus, President/CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), "Leadership for Today's Community Colleges"

A discussion about working with government officials at the local, state, and federal levels.

Courses run all day Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each week of the Summer Institute with a 1-hour break for lunch around noon. There are readings and assignments completed before and after the Summer Institute.

New student registration for summer and fall courses opens in early April. Registration instructions will be sent in late March. First-year CCL & HIED Ph.D. students should register for HIED 808 Contemporary Issues (Week 1) and FOUN 812 Research Design & Analysis (Week 2) by April 15th.

Returning CCL Ph.D. students should register themselves for FOUN 813 Program Evaluation (Week 1) and CCL 866 Modern Community College (Week 3), plus Proseminar (C) by April 15th. Returning HIED Ph.D. students should register themselves for the courses in their plan of study.

Visit LEOONLINE to register. 

Textbook information will be posted by April 15th. Students may purchase textbooks from the ODU bookstore or their preferred retailer. Visit the ODU Bookstore to view a list of required course textbooks.

Course information and program-related communication will be sent to your ODU email, so check it often or forward it to an email you check on a regular basis.

Course syllabi and readings will be available via Canvas after the pre-Summer Institute Orientation. Students should carefully review syllabi to understand and complete the pre-Summer Institute readings and assignments for each course. Canvas may be accessed via myODU Portal.

Each year we ask students to share one piece of advice to pass on to future cohorts to prepare for the Summer Institute:

While the reading list prior to Summer Institute is intimidating, try not to get too overwhelmed. The more you read and take notes on before is better!

If you have a research topic in mind, start organizing peer reviewed articles now. Just sort and organize at this point. But don't panic if you don't have any idea what you want to research yet. It's okay to change your mind too.

Don't freak out. Yes, there's reading and writing to be done, but you can do this, or you wouldn't be in the program! I read most of the textbooks before Summer Institute, and that helped me manage my on-site time.

Get ready to meet a great group of people who will be essential to you completing this program and actually enjoying it along the way... your cohort. Open yourself both to opening up and asking for help.

We are responsible for our own education. Come prepared to get as much as you want out of the program, because the sky is the limit in regards to maximizing your learning. The additional reading and the availability of the faculty both provide these opportunities for students.

I recommend doing as much reading of class materials as you can before arrival and doing your best to stay engaged with the material and colleagues while on campus.

Network yourself as much as possible. You never know when those connections will come in handy.

Go over the syllabi several times and make a list of items due before the Summer Institute, during the Summer Institute, and after. It helps with the stress of trying to remember everything during the week.

It is beneficial to not only do the pre-work in advance of the Institute, but any readings or VoiceThreads that to be done during the Institute. You will have less stress and more time to socialize with your cohort if you've completed a bulk of the "during Institute" assignments done ahead of time.

You have been accepted. That virtue alone indicates that you belong. Embrace it!

I would advise future cohort members to read, read, and read some more. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn more about every aspect of your institution as it will widen your perspective as you approach the many topics that will be discussed during Summer Institute.

Make sure you have a LinkedIn account ready before you start the Summer Institute.

Make sure to read ALL the readings assigned.

Don't go home the weekend in between classes. Commit that time to work and bonding with the cohorts, it will pay off in the long run with family. The opportunity to wrap a class up before the second class starts helps so much.

In preparation for academic requirements for the Summer Institute, it is helpful to complete pre-Institute coursework before arriving at ODU. One piece of professional and personal advice is to take full advantage of all Institute events and social engagements.

Do as much ahead of time as you can. It will help you from not having such a stressful time.

Students should try their best to clear their professional calendars during the two weeks of Summer Institute in order to be fully engaged in the experience. Going to dinner with classmates, studying in the library, hanging out in the lounge, etc. are all part of the experience and help cohort members make connections and bond with one another. If you can afford to immerse yourself fully in the experience, you should plan to do so.

Make sure you read every email and understand that there will be assignments due prior to the start of the Summer Institute, and allow yourself plenty of time to get them done.

Come prepared. Complete readings and assignments beforehand if possible.

I strongly recommend doing as much reading and writing of your class work as possible before arriving at the Summer Institute. Professionally, rely on your qualified colleagues to protect your calendar and support your studies by managing delegated work. This will allow you to focus on your studies during the day instead of fielding "urgent" emails. Being away from your family is hard, but they are your biggest and most important supporters during this journey. Consider your "re-entry" after the Summer Institute and plan ahead to reconnect with your family intensely after you return home.

My technology advice: 1. Bring your laptop to class at all times, you will benefit from being able to immediately bookmark websites, save articles, etc. 2. Have a cloud account of some kind set up before you come, the last thing you need is to lose your work! 3. Run all updates, virus and malware scans, etc before coming so you are ready to work immediately. 4. Use your personal Monarch sign-in for wifi, not what Conference Services provides you. It makes using ODU services easier.

Welcome to Ph.D. boot camp!

If you plan to work while taking classes, tell your boss that you will have very limited time to work during the Summer Institute. Take care of all important matters before or after Summer Institute. Plan family time after Summer Institute (vacation or a special trip), as you will want to spend time with them upon your return.

Summer Institute is set up to build cohesion among cohorts and to provide YOU with the opportunity to see that everyone else is in the same position you are in. If you choose to not participate or interact, it will make your experience much more difficult. Take it from an introvert, go along with the events and make use of the commons area in the residence hall, you won't regret it!

Complete all assignments as early as possible in pre-session to have adequate time to spend with family and friends before departure.

The Summer Institute is intense but manageable. The faculty really care about the students succeeding. Start your coursework as soon as possible.

There will be many hours of work in May. Start working on it immediately as there is much more to come.

All CCL doctoral students are required to stay on-campus during the Summer Institute. Most HIED doctoral students live off-campus during the Summer Institute; however, if they may opt to temporarily live on-campus during the Summer Institute if they wish to. On-campus students stay in the Dominion House, a suite-style residence hall.

Check-in

Check-in is Sunday afternoon from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Check-in and move-in typical takes about 45-60 minutes, so please arrive as early as possible. When you arrive, you can park on the street next to the residence hall in order to unload (see campus map). You may park to unload.

Payment is required in the form of credit card prior to Summer Institute.

At check-in you will receive a room key card that you will use to get into the residence hall and use for laundry, etc. To ensure your suitemate request has been honored, verbalize your request to the check-in staff. Keep your room key on you at all times.

You may arrive Saturday if you have a long travel day. Students may return home over the weekend if they have personal or professional commitments to attend to but will still be required to pay the daily room rate over the weekend.

Rooms

Two students of the same gender will be housed in a suite; each student will have their own room and a shared bathroom. You may share a suite with up to 3 roommates, but you'll have your own locking bedroom and one bathroom per 2 students.

The room has an extra-long (XL) twin beds. Students may bring their own XL twin-size bed linens or rent them for $10/night. Past attendees suggest bringing a comforter and pillow of your own. You will need to bring a pillow and any other bedclothes that you'd like. Provide your own toiletries, soap, and shampoo. There are no hangers in the closet, so please bring your own.

Amenities

There are coin-operated washers and dryers on the first floor of the residence hall ($1.25 per load), but you will need to bring you own laundry supplies. There is not a change machine in the residence hall, so bring quarters too. Cleaning supplies can be borrowed from the front desk.

Check-out

Check-out is from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on the last Friday of the Summer Institute. You must check-out no later than 11:00 a.m. on Saturday of Summer Institute. The improper check-out time fee is $50.00 and lost room key fee is $75.00.

Billing

Payment is required prior to check in the form of credit card. It costs about $1,000 to live on campus during the Summer Institute - $40/night (12 nights = $480) and food should not cost more than $35/day (12 days = $420).

A University identification card is a must for all Old Dominion University students and should be carried at all times while on campus.

All new students will obtain a University student ID at the Card Center prior to Summer Institute via mail.

Laptops

There are computers available in the library, but it is strongly recommended that you bring your own laptop for classes and assignments. You will want to carry your computer, accessories, and books with you comfortably around campus, and while shoulder bags or computer cases are professional, nothing beats a durable backpack for ease and convenience. Classrooms have space and power supplies laptops.

Printing

Students may print in the library by adding print money online to their account. Some students bring small printers for their rooms so they can print after the library has closed (bring paper and extra ink cartridges).

WiFi & Internet Access

ODU has wireless internet access in its classroom and the residence halls, and you will be able to log in with your MIDAS ID. ODU offers two wireless networks, AccessODU and MonarchODU. MonarchODU is a secured network that can be accessed using your MIDAS ID and Password, so make sure you have activated your ODU email account prior to the Summer Institute. If you are a paper person, download the Pharos client so you can access the remote printing stations of your choice. There is a station in the Dominion house and in the Education Building.

ODU has a fully-equipped, modern fitness facility in the housing area, and as a student, it's yours to enjoy. It's a great way to exercise the body after a day of exercising your mind. The beautiful campus and surrounding neighborhoods also make great places for a run if that's your preferred way to stretch your legs. Bring some clothes to break a sweat in; your mind will thank you. The student recreation center will be accessible to you after you obtain your student ID.

Meals are on your own with the exception of the Welcome Dinner, Guest Scholar Dinner, luncheons, and special events.

Groceries

There are several grocery stores near campus. We recommend: The Fresh Market (924 W 21st Street) and Harris Teeter (1320 Colonial Avenue). There is also simple, convenience store shopping within walking distance of the residence halls, such as a 7-11 and a CVS pharmacy. Larger stores like Wal-Mart and Target are several miles away, but more than you'll want to cover on foot. Soda and snack machines are available in most buildings.

Community Kitchen

A community kitchen is available in the residence hall (no utensils provided). A microwave is located on the residence hall floor but not within each suite. No refrigerators are available in the suite or residence hall. Students may bring their own mini-fridge.

Local Restaurants

There are many restaurants on campus on Monarch Way, and the Webb Center cafeteria dining is available on a limited basis. The Webb Center also has a few fast-food restaurants open for lunch, including Subway and Chick-fil-A. There are many excellent restaurants near campus. Here are a few local favorites recommended by past students:

Airport

If you're flying to Norfolk, ODU is about 10 miles from the Norfolk International Airport. You can take a taxi from the airport to the campus for about $35. You may also email us to arrange for free airport pickup.

Driving

If you're driving to Norfolk, please be aware the Hampton Roads area has many bridges and tunnels, some of which include tolls (see EZ Pass) and may have traffic backups, always plan your travel to accommodate unforeseen traffic backups.

E-ZPass

Most routes to Old Dominion University's Norfolk campus do not require tolls with the exception of routes that include the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels which require an EZPass (no cash option) or pay by plate (you will receive a bill in the mail).

Rides

It's OK if you do not have a car during Summer Institute. Most cohort members with cars are more than willing to let others carpool with them. You will have several classmates who have driven their cars to the Summer Institute, and after a little bit of networking, you will make friends with someone with a car who can give you a ride somewhere.

Summer Parking Permits

For students who require parking may visit the Summer Permits website and click the Buy a Permit button to purchase a virtual permit.

Parking Permits can be purchased online through the ODU Parking Portal by logging in with your MIDAS ID and password and using a Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa). Be sure to know your license plate number.

ODU uses a "Your License Plate is Your Permit" approach, which means that no physical hangtag is required. Your license plate serves as the parking permit and authorizes parking in a specific location. Commuter virtual permits are valid in Garage A, Garage C, and Garage D (see Campus Parking Map), as well as Lot 1, Lot 11, Lot 16, Lot 42, Lot 43, Lot 47, Lot 58. We recommend parking in Garage A, although you may park at any valid location most convenient for you.

You must park in the designated lots or parking garage. Adhere to the signs and appropriate parking spaces for students.

Dress is casual for classes and social events.  On the day of the Dubois lecture we suggest business casual dress.  You'll be a university student in Virginia in the summer, so dress for comfort. Walking shorts and cool shirts will make your time in class and around campus simple and easy. The classrooms are comfortable, but you may pack a light sweater if you chill easily in the air conditioning.

The Dominion House residence halls are across the campus from the classrooms in the new Education Building, so you will be covering all corners of the ODU area during your time at the Summer Institute. Tennis shoes, sandals, flip-flops, or your most comfortable walking footwear is strongly recommended. A second pair of comfortable shoes will make a rainy day less disruptive to your wardrobe.

ODU is also a bike-friendly campus, with plenty of places to secure them at each building. Although not essential, you can save time and energy on two wheels if you bring a bike considering the distances you'll cover. You can use your ID to rent a bike from the Recreation Center. Bike ODU is the place to get your bike and it is located right next to Dominion House. You can rent kayaks too!

Check out our campus map. 

The typical cost to live on campus during the Summer Institute is about $1,000 - $40/night (12 nights = $480), parking is typically $20/week (two weeks = $40), and food should not cost more than $35/day (12 days = $420).

ID

• Formal Picture ID (driver's license, military ID, passport)
• Print-out of your course registration from LeoOnline, as well as the page listing your UIN

Clothing

• Casual clothes for classes and social events
• Business casual clothes for professional events.
• Umbrella or rain gear

Class

• Backpack
• Laptop & Laptop Cord
• Textbooks
• Notebooks
• Pens/Pencils
• Sticky Notes
• Highlighters

Clean

• Laundry Detergent & Dryer Sheets
• Quarters for Laundry
• Paper Towels
• Trash Bags

Bedding

• XL Twin sheets (if not having them provided)
• Pillow & Pillow Case
• Blanket
• Mattress Cover

Bathroom

• Towels
• Toilet Paper
• Shower Caddy & Essentials
• Hangers

Food

• Mugs
• Snacks
• Utensils
• Refillable Water Bottle
• Mini-fridge (optional)