Faculty Champion:Nick Swayne
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Bio
Nick Swayne is the Executive Director of 4-Virginia and the founder of JMU X-Labs. The 4-Virginia collaboration of eight Virginia public institutions, works to leverage their strengths combined strengths to improve the efficiency and economic impact of higher education across the Commonwealth. He created JMU X-Labs to enable co-curricular course sharing and develop the campus innovation ecosystem. JMU X-Labs has been recognized by the Governor for innovation in higher education and regularly holds classes that range in topics from unmanned systems to homelessness. Nick regularly teaches Leadership in Organizations in the Human Resource Development program. He serves as faculty advisor for the Stanford University Innovation Fellows, the Executive Director of Virginia-DC robotics, chairs the Veteran Scholar’s Task Force, and is the founder of the Harrisonburg Regional Veterans Collaborative. Nick is completing his doctoral work in Postsecondary Strategic Leadership and is serving in his third term on the Harrisonburg City School Board. He’s a retired Army officer with 26 years of service.
Achievements
Founder, JMU X-Labs Elected 3x Harrisonburg City School Board Almost finished my PhD Noftsinger Leadership Award for catalyzing positive change in the Shenandoah Valley – April 2019 Governor’s Award for Innovative Technology in Higher Education – Autonomous Vehicle Program, September 2018 JMU President’s Purple Star Award for Innovation in Higher Education - 2018 Governor’s Award for Innovative Technology in Higher Education – JMU X-Labs, September 2017 4-VA Computer World’s Honors Laureate Award, March 2013 Virginia Association of Science Teacher – University Science Educator of the Year 2012 James Madison University, Provost Award for Outreach – 2011 Innovations in Higher Education Award, Shenandoah Valley Technology Council – 2008 Select military awards: Legion of Merit Bronze Star Defense Meritorious Service Medal