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Regent Professor with Expertise in Middle East Studies Appointed to Virginia Israel Advisory Board

Regent Professor with Expertise in Middle East Studies Appointed to Virginia Israel Advisory Board

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Dec. 29, 2022) – Virginia General Assembly Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert has appointed Dr. A.J. Nolte of Regent University to the Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB). Established in 1996, the VIAB is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Office of the General Assembly) that facilitates cultural, educational, and economic partnerships between companies in Israel and Virginia.

Dr. A.J. Nolte

Regent University has a long and strong relationship with Israel. Dr. Nolte is the Chair of Regent’s Master’s in International Development program, and much of his research and teaching focuses on the Middle East and Israel.

“I’m honored to accept Speaker Gilbert’s appointment and to join the team at VIAB,” said Dr. Nolte. “Israel is home to some of the world’s leading universities, and Israeli public and private international development work is second to none. I’m excited to help forge relationships between universities in Israel and the commonwealth, connect our students at Regent and other schools with the amazing work Israel’s doing to promote human flourishing and economic development across the world, and help VIAB continue to facilitate the multi-billion-dollar economic ties that exist between Israel and the commonwealth.”

Dr. Nolte is set to serve a four-year term and will be the first totally blind member of the board.

“I’ve spoken with Dov Hoch, VIAB’s executive director, and we’ll also be working to reach out to business leaders in Virginia with strong faith commitments,” said Dr. Nolte. “VIAB is planning a trip to Israel for business leaders of faith from Virginia.”

About VIAB– The Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Office of the General Assembly) founded in 1996 that develops and enhances cultural, educational, and economic interactions between Israel and Virginia. In the realm of economic development, VIAB establishes and grows Israeli companies and partnerships in Virginia and facilitates Virginia companies sourcing innovative Israeli technologies. Our goal is to increase investment and expand the workforce in Virginia through activities aligned with Commonwealth policies.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s Premier Christian University with more than 13,000 students studying online and on campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for ten consecutive years (U.S. News & World Report, 2022).

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