Tagged: Virginia Tech

Hampton University was stripped of its land-grant status in 1920, after federal lawmakers claimed only one HBCU per state could have such status. Now, a new bill from Virginia state lawmakers seeks to restore Hampton as a land-grant institution.

Dr. Smith has over three decades of experience in education, particularly as an administrator at several public school districts throughout Virginia. A graduate of historically Black Virginia Union University, Dr. Smith has taught at Old Dominion University and the College of William and Mary.

Beginning January 1, Dr. McMeans will serve as interim president of Southern University in Louisiana. For the past six years, he has served as chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and dean of the university's College of Agricultural, Family, and Consumer Sciences.

The appointments are Christine Lovely at the University of California, Los Angeles, Reginald Ruffin at Tuskegee University in Alabama, Keith Hayes at Virginia Tech, and Laquetta Jones Bigelow at North Carolina A&T State University.

“I have been deeply impressed by Germanna’s strong sense of community and its steadfast commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success,” said Dr. Griffith. “I look forward to building upon this remarkable foundation as we continue advancing the College’s mission and impact across the region.”

The appointments are Michelle McCay at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Lance Collins at Virginia Tech, Terry Allen at the University of Southern California, and Marcus Denard Johnson at Florida State University.

Tonya Smith-Jackson comes to her new role from North Carolina A&T State University, where she serves as provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. She is slated to take the helm of Rutgers University-Newark on August 1.

Aaron Dixon, Dwane Sterling, and Alison Chandler are taking on new leadership roles at Alabama A&M University, Virginia Tech, and Saint Xavier University, respectively.

A leading authority on social equity in government, Dr. Gooden currently serves as dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

With an extensive background in HBCU academics and administration, Dr. Scott has served as dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Virginia State University and as director of the Center for Health Disparities at Delaware State University.

A team of graduate students at Virginia Tech have been conducting interviews with Black scientists as part of the new "Black Excellence in STEM Oral History Project," which aims to preserve the stories of Black researchers in the United States.

With over two decades of experience in human resources, Stewart spent the past 11 years as a senior talent acquisition manager for the advancement division at Virginia Tech.

The Black women appointed to director posts are Patricia Wooten at Virginia Tech, Charlette Woolridge at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, and DaNia Childress at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Nikki Giovanni was a professor at Virginia Tech for 35 years. She was the author of numerous poetry collections, children's books, and works of nonfiction.

“Bluefield State is uniquely positioned to expand opportunities for its students and strengthen its impact in the region. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and the community to build on the university’s successes," said Dr. Darrin Martin.

At Virginia Tech, Corey Moore was known for being one of the most intimidating defensive linemen in college football. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and played in the National Football League. Now Moore is the assistant dean of academic advising and student success at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.

Virginia Tech's Menah Pratt was named chair-elect for the Council on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. Professor Gwendolyn D. Pough has been given the added duties as associate dean of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at Syracuse University and Sekile M. Nzinga was appointed vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Dr. Martin is a third-generation graduate of Bluefield State as both his mother and grandmother are alumnae. He has been serving as an associate professor of education, dean of academic support, and, director of graduate education studies.

The four Black scholars in new roles are Fred D. Archer, III at the University at Buffalo, Jennifer Joe in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, Mesmin Destin at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and Stephanie Harris at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.

Lois Harrison-Jones, professor emerita in the School of Education at Howard University in Washington, D.C., has been honored by the Richmond, Virginia School Board with the renaming of an elementary school in her honor. The school was previously named for a colonel in the Confederate Army.