Program/Initiative

Contact

Description

Admissions Undergraduate Diversity Initiatives

Yalana Bryant
ybryant@vt.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions uses a variety of strategies to build a diverse freshman class: working with guidance counselors, building networks with churches and communities, extensive traveling (both in- and out-of- state), and special events on campus.

Academic Hispanic Out Reach Alliance (AHORA)

Whitney Edmister wedmiste@vt.edu

AHORA is a mentoring program that is designed to assist Hispanic/Latino first-semester students achieve academic and personal success.

American Indian Cultural Association

Harry Dyer hdyer@vt.edu

The American Indian Cultural Association is a student organization that plans and coordinates cultural events and offers support services to the American Indian student community.

American Indian Heritage Month

Rosa Jones rosajones@vt.edu

The American Indian Heritage Month is a campus-wide, cultural celebration of American Indian culture from mid-October to mid-November.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

Samuel R. Cook sacook2@vt.edu

The AISES is a student organization that strives to enhance the VT community by bridging science and technology with traditional Native values. AISES is open to all students and faculty.

Black Engineering Support Teams (BEST)

Whitney Edmister wedmiste@vt.edu

BEST is a mentoring program designed to assist Black, first-semester students achieve academic and personal success.

Black Business Council

Wanda Smith wjsmith@vt.edu

The Black Business Council is a student-run organization that helps students to prepare for careers in business, address academic concerns of a common interest, and promote the advancement of Black graduates in both the corporate and academic sectors of business.

Black Faculty/Staff Caucus

Ed McPherson ejay@vt.edu

The Black Faculty/Staff Caucus of Virginia Tech was established in 1981 in an effort to provide professional support to staff, and to support issues of particular interest to Black faculty, students, and the university community.

Black Cultural Center Alumni Advisory Board (BCCAAB)

Karen Eley Sanders
kesanders@vt.edu

The BCC Alumni Advisory Board is comprised of Virginia Tech alumni who were involved in and benefited from services and programs at the Black Cultural Center . These alumni are committed to giving their time and financial resources to support BCC programs and services, as well as the students who use the BCC.

Black Graduate Student Organizations (BGSO)

Wayne Scales
wscales@vt.edu

Glenda Scales
gscales@vt.edu

The BGSO strives to promote a greater sense of community among graduate students of African descent. BGSO's mission is to provide support networks, encourage research and scholarship, and promote exposure to information technologies.

Black History Month

Rosa Jones rosajones@vt.edu

Black History Month is a campus-wide cultural celebration of Black History. The activities and events are held in January and February.

Black Organizations Council (BOC)

Rosa Jones
rosajones@vt.edu

BOC serves as a governing board and umbrella organization for twelve predominantly Black student organizations.

Black Student Alliance (BSA)

Mary Grace Campos
mcampos@vt.edu

The BSA is a student-run organization that presents movies, concerts, speakers, plays, and other types of entertainment.

Black Student Showcase

Rosa Jones
rosajones@vt.edu

The Black Student Showcase is an Information Fair that highlights student organizations and focuses on the needs of VT's Black students.

Campus Climate Check-Up

Tom Brown
tbrown@vt.edu

Campus Climate Check-Up is a proactive effort of the Campus Climate Team (comprised of Virginia Tech administrators, faculty, staff and students) which provides updates and addresses potential problems that could affect the climate of university life. The Check–Up is also an opportunity for open exchange regarding potentially bias-related incidents that have occurred on campus.

Career Services Multicultural Outreach

Rafael Rodriguez-Santos
rodrigr@vt.edu

Career Services assists students with a variety of career concerns, from searching for a major to conducting a job search. They also provide on-campus programming, as well as make presentations for large student groups. Career Services will provide information sessions that are beneficial for VT's diverse student populations.

Caribbean Students Organization (CaribSO)

Naraine Persaud npers@vt.edu

CaribSO is a student-run organization that aims to share the varied and unique cultures of the many nations of the Caribbean with the of Virginia Tech community, and facilitate the gathering of Caribbean people attending the university.

Celebration of Diversity

Rosa Jones
rosajones@vt.edu

Celebration of Diversity is an entertaining and educational initiative that allows students to showcase the breadth of diversity at Virginia Tech, as well as provide learning opportunities and cultural exchanges that reflect the student body.

Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity

(CEED)

Whitney Edmister wedmister@vt.edu

CEED is dedicated to enriching the engineering profession through increased diversity, thereby targeting under-represented students encouraging them to apply to, enroll in and graduate from the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech. Programs target current engineering students, prospective students, and the Commonwealth of Virginia's pre-college community. Additionally, CEED provides academic, professional and personal support for students, as well as assisting a variety of student organizations. Overall, CEED works to present engineering as an exciting and rewarding career path to a diverse population.

Circulo Hispanico

Ray Plaza
Rp25@vt.edu

Circulo Hispanico is open to all majors and people interested in the language, culture and customs of Spanish speaking people. Programming includes socials, dance lessons and educational initiatives.

Diversity Certificate Program

Alicia Cohen acohen@vt.edu

Ray Plaza rp25@vt.edu

The Diversity Certificate Program is a four semester commitment for undergraduates that is designed to facilitate students' development of multicultural competencies that will assist them in their future professional, civic, and personal endeavors.

Donning of the Kente

Rosa Jones rosajones@vt.edu

Donning of the Kente is a program that recognizes and celebrates Black graduates.

Equal Opportunity

Kevin McDonald mcdonalk@vt.edu

The Office of Equal Opportunity promotes an environment that supports principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and community. It accomplishes these goals through equal access to employment and educational opportunities, and by providing leadership in affirmative action policies and procedures. OEO also investigates and resolves complaints of discrimination.

Face2Face

Tim Filbert
tfilbert@vt.edu

Face2Face is an annual forum that promotes an intercultural dialogue regarding issues affecting or of interest to Virginia Tech students. In Spring 2006, F2F involved a National Issues Forum, on America's Role in the World. Major sponsors for this program have been the Department of Student Activities Office of Leadership Development, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Fall Visitation Program

Yalana Bryant ybryant@vt.edu

The Fall Visitation Program is open to all prospective students, but is specifically designed with the needs and interests of under-represented students.

Gateway

Yalana Bryant ybryant@vt.edu

Undergraduate Admissions plans and implements this invitational, on-campus yield program in the spring semester. Gateway is open to all students who have been offered admission to Virginia Tech, and is designed with the interests and needs of under-represented students. `

Graduate Preview Weekend

Marilyn Kershaw mkershaw@vt.edu

The Graduate Preview Weekend is a visitation program aimed at increasing diversity in graduate education. The Graduate School invites prospective students to campus for a weekend to interview and/or meet with faculty and current students to learn more about Virginia Tech.

Hispanic Faculty/Staff Caucus

Ray Plaza
rp25@vt.edu

The Hispanic Faculty/Staff Caucus seeks to provide professional support to members and to attend to issues of particular interest to Hispanic/Latino faculty, staff, students, and the university community.

HOKIES Meet Cook-Out

Rosa Jones
rosajones@vt.edu

The HOKIES Meet Cook-Out is an opportunity for new students and their parents to meet and network with VT students, faculty and staff, and to learn about multicultural programs, multicultural student organizations, and academic support services. Returning students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend.

Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month

Rosa Jones
rosajones@vt.edu

Celebrated from mid-September to mid-October, this is a campus-wide celebration of Hispanic/ Latino culture.

Holocaust Awareness Month

Rosa Jones
rosajones@vt.edu

This is a campus-wide celebration of the Jewish culture and programs, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness of the Holocaust.

Latin Link

Ray Williams raywilliams@vt.edu

Latin Link is a student-run organization that strives to unite and work for the Latino community. Programming includes cultural performances, thought-provoking programs and activities to establish creating bonds between people.

Latino Association of Student Organizations (LASO)

Mary Grace Campos mcampos@vt.edu

LASO is an umbrella organization for Latino student organizations.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance (LGBTA)

Mary Grace Campos
mcampos@vt.edu

LGBTA is a student-run organization that sponsors campus-wide programs to raise awareness, community visibility, and support for the LGBT community.

Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP)

Miya Simpson misimpso@vt.edu

MAOP provides academic, financial, psychological, and social support to undergraduate and graduate students in select disciplines. MAOP has a competitive application process and academically talented applicants from all backgrounds may be considered.

McNair Scholars (Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program)

Miya Simpson misimpso@vt.edu

McNair Scholars is a federally funded program that helps prepare low-income, first generation students for graduate study.

Mid-Eastern Alliance for Minority Participation (MEAMP)

Nini Smiley Barber
nsmiley@vt.edu

MEAMP, a division of the nationwide Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, aims to significantly increase the number and quality of minority students earning baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. All students who have been admitted to Virginia Tech are invited to apply, with preference given to first-year students. Eligibility criteria include a 3.0/4.0 minimum high-school GPA, 2.8 GPA in math and science, and major in one of the STEM fields.

Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANNRS)

Nini Smiley
nsmiley@vt.edu

The MANRRS Organization targets undergraduate and graduate students in Agriculture and the Life Sciences. Activities include regional and national conventions, tours of research laboratories, freshman mentoring, social gatherings, parties, banquets, and community service projects.

Multicultural Programs and Services

Ray Williams raywilliams@vt.edu

Multicultural Program and Services is an administrative unit that helps to create an atmosphere of inclusion for all students, and specifically targets the interests of under-represented students on Virginia Tech's campus.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

NAACP Montgomery County-Radford City-Floyd County Branch

Tonya Smith-Jackson
smithjack@vt.edu

The Virginia Tech Chapter of the NAACP strives to educate and inform the community of ideas, goals, and activities of the National Chapter. The members are dedicated to improving the political, educational, social, and economic status of minority groups and enhancing public awareness of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and prejudice.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Whitney Edmister wedmister@vt.edu

NSBE is a student-run organization that aims to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively affect the community.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

Eric Norman enorman@vt.edu

The VT-NPHC is the governing body that represents 8 of the 9 historically Black Greek letter sororities and fraternities, including the following: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Phi Beta Sigma, and Omega Psi Phi.

Office for Multicultural Affairs

Benjamin Dixon bdixon@vt.edu

Alicia Cohen acohen@vt.edu

Ray Plaza rp25@vt.edu

The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides leadership and direction for the continuous assessment and improvement of university-wide efforts to create and sustain a more diverse and inclusive community of learners. It works collaboratively with other university units to build capacity to recognize and value difference, encourage and support positive interactions between and among diverse populations, and maximize the benefits of a multicultural perspective. Additionally, this group advises the President and university leadership on the policies, programs, practices and resources needed to achieve excellence, equity and effectiveness in the research, teaching and learning, and outreach activities of the university.

Opportunity Scholarship Program

Tysus Jackson tysusj@vt.edu

The Opportunity Scholarship Program includes four scholarships that enable students to gain educational and leadership training that prepares them to be future leaders.

Parent Talk

Kimberly LaBoone klaboone@vt.edu

Parent Talk is an information and session that addresses campus climate issues, specifically as it relates to under-served students. Parent Talk is held on Family Day in the fall semester.

Presidential Campus Enrichment Grant (PCEG)

Alicia Cohen
acohen@vt.edu

The PCEG Program was established as a cross-college effort to enhance multicultural educational experiences at Virginia Tech. All incoming students are invited to apply for this grant.

SafeWatch

Tom Brown tbrown@vt.edu

SafeWatch is a new university program that promotes individual and collective responsibility among students, faculty, staff and guests to incorporate the Virginia Tech Principles of Community into interpersonal and inter-group relationships. Patterned after the “Neighborhood Watch” program, SafeWatch promotes understanding of university policies related to harassment, discrimination or similar behaviors and provides a way to report violations of policies and community expectations that promote an inclusive campus environment.

Safe Zone Program

Mary Grace Campos mcampos@vt.edu

The Safe Zone Program's mission is to foster a more accepting environment for sexual minorities at Virginia Tech. This goal is accomplished by utilizing a network of people that are dedicated to providing a supportive community and that serve as a resource for accurate information about LGBTA students.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Susan Angle
spangle@vt.edu

Jane Warner jwarner@vt.edu

Services for Students with Disabilities exist to assist the university with its mission of creating an inclusive and welcoming community for all students. They also work to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to education and opportunities in this academic community .

Sigma Delta Pi Hispanic Honor Society

Antonio A. Fernandez-Vazquez
afernand@vt.edu

The Lambda Psi Sigma Delta Pi is a collegiate Hispanic Honor Society that hosts a recognition ceremony for Hispanic/Latino graduates, and celebrates Hispanic/Latino achievement at Virginia Tech.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Whitney Edmister
wedmister@vt.edu

SHPE aims to increase the enrollment of Hispanic engineering students; promote the advancement of Hispanic engineers and scientists in employment and education; develop and participate in programs with industry and the university which benefit students seeking technical degrees; improve retention of Hispanic students enrolled in engineering/science; provide a forum for the exchange of information pertinent to Hispanic engineering/science students enrolled at Virginia Tech; promote engineering minority programs at Virginia Tech; and represent the Hispanic professional students at Virginia Tech.

Student Transition Engineering Program (STEP)

Trey Waller trwaller@vt.edu

STEP is a five-week, residential college transition program for entering first-year, Engineering students.

Student Support Grants Program

Kimberly LaBoone
klaboone@vt.edu

The Student Support Grant Program is designed to improve the retention and graduation rates of the undergraduate student population and to contribute to the development of student leaders on campus.

Virginia Tech Opportunity Programs

Karen Eley Sanders kesanders@vt.edu

VT Opportunity Programs is an institutional effort to enhance access and success in higher education for first-generation, low-income, Talent Search and Upward Bound, minority, and other under-served students in the educational pipeline.

Yates Project

Alvin Bryant Abryant1@vt.edu

The Yates Project is a selective, student recruiting group in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Student members make presentations and network with prospective students in community, church and school groups in their home areas. Application and selection for the Yates Project occurs in the fall semester. Students are reimbursed for travel expenses.

YMCA Native American Program

Currently not active

The YMCA at Virginia Tech serves the VT community by promoting lifelong learning, social awareness, and leadership through unique programs and activities which connect diverse individuals and groups.