Nancy Bradley, an assistant professor of practice in the Elementary Education program of the Virginia Tech School of Education, has been appointed associate director of the school’s Office of Academic Programs.

Bradley earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in teacher education and literacy at Virginia Tech. Before joining the Virginia Tech faculty in 2019, she served as an associate professor and director of the teacher education program at Ferrum College.

“Leadership and service have been the bedrock of Dr. Bradley’s professional career,” said Kristin Gehsmann, director of the School of Education. “This appointment simply builds on her commitment to educational excellence and servant-leadership.”

Bradley currently serves as president of the Association of Teacher Educators in Virginia, a member of the Salem City School Board, and an appointee to the Advisory Board for Teacher Education and Licensure. She has served on multiple committees within the School of Education, allowing her to gain valuable insight into the student-experience and the degree and certificate programs the school offers.

Bradley’s vision for the Office of Academic Programs includes engaging faculty in the development of innovative degree and certificate programs to meet the needs of current and future students, initiating new licensure programs to address the critical shortage of teachers in Virginia and across the nation, establishing a culture of data-based decision-making, and increasing efforts to diversify the PreK–16+ education workforce.

Bradley also plans to promote inclusivity through Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community, InclusiveVT, and in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education’s EdEquityVA.

 “My principal goal as associate director is to champion the School of Education at local, state, and national levels,” Bradley said, “to ensure that Virginia Tech is recognized for its role as an innovative provider of licensure, certificate, and degree programs.”

Bradley expressed a desire to engage with stakeholders from within and outside of the School of Education to determine current and future needs in the areas of ongoing professional learning, coursework, and programs that serve educators, educational leaders, higher education professionals, counselors, and mental health clinicians in the region and across the state.

Bradley will assume the associate directorship in August.

The Virginia Tech School of Education is a global catalyst for individual and social transformation through education, applied research, outreach, and advocacy. It offers 14 degrees and five certificate programs online and in locations throughout Virginia, including Blacksburg, Roanoke, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Abingdon, and Northern Virginia.