Virginia Tech School of Education Alumni Newsletter September 2022
REIMAGINING THE FUTURE
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Alumna Barbara Lockee Named Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Barbara Lockee, professor of Instructional Design and Technology in Virginia Tech's School of Education, has been named Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Virginia Tech.
In this newly created role, Lockee, who earned her Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Virginia Tech in 1996, will report to Ron Fricker, the vice provost for faculty affairs, as she develops and supervises initiatives to help faculty thrive throughout their careers, including elevating the intellectual community at the university, improving professional development opportunities for post-tenure faculty, and helping faculty seek external recognition for their work.
Virginia Tech Mother and Son Both Earn Ph.D.s this Spring
Sharon Flynn Stidham, who was awarded her Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology in May, was the Student Marshall for the Spring 2022 commencement ceremony. Her son and apartment mate, James Stidham, III, was also awarded his Ph.D., in Condensed Matter and Material Physics. It was his third degree from Virginia Tech; all of them in Physics.
Alumnus Named Virginia Superintendent of the Year
Walter “Rick” Clemons ‘09, was named the 2023 Virginia Superintendent of the Year on May 2.
Clemons, who graduated with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, was cited for his leadership during the pandemic, his advocacy for the state’s public schools, and his determination to do what is best for students.
RESEARCH & PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS
Brett Jones Receives Award for Excellence in Research
Brett Jones, Educational Psychology professor, received the Award for Excellence in Research sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. Since joining Virginia Tech in 2006, he has written over 100 journal articles, presented at more than 160 conferences, and is internationally known for his research related to motivation, learning, and cognition. Throughout his career, Jones has received more than $2 million from the National Science Foundation for his research and has also received numerous awards.
SEE VT: Enrichment Experience for Students from Rural Communities
People look at rural communities and they might ask questions like where is the entrepreneurship or where is the vibrancy or the vitality? Amy Price Azano's response is that we have to do more to invest in rural youth. SEE VT (Summer Enrichment Experience at Virginia Tech), is a residential enrichment program for rising 6th and 7th graders from rural school districts. Azano tells us that SEE VT is responding to an opportunity gap for rural learners and is an act of social justice, a way of enacting equity and addressing an inequity for rural learners by providing an enrichment experience for students who may otherwise not have it.
Claire Robbins Receives Grant to Study Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Graduate Education
Claire Robbins, an associate professor in the School of Education, has received a Spencer Foundation grant for her project, "Examining the role of graduate colleges in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion at public universities."
Natalie Ferand Awarded Grant from Office of Undergraduate Research
The Office of Undergraduate Research awarded almost $50,000 in grants to faculty from five colleges with the goal of increasing the opportunities for Virginia Tech students to gain valuable work and research experience.
Breanna Ellington Awarded Grant from the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment
Breanna Ellington, Counselor Education, was awarded a grant from the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment for “Assessing for Suicidal Ideation in Children and Adolescents: Virtual Reality-Enhanced Software for School Counselor Professional Development,” a collaborative grant with counselor education faculty from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
AWARDS & OUTREACH
Tonisha Lane Recognized for Excellence in Research
The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences honored a number of its faculty and staff members with awards for excellence during a virtual ceremony and an intimate in-person reception at the Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion, where the winners received the awards.
Tonisha Lane was one of four awardees who received the Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship Award.
Virginia Tech Board of Visitors Approves 2022 Promotions, Tenure, and Continued Appointments
The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors met to approve recommendations for promotions, tenure, and continued appointments for selected faculty. The following School of Education faculty were recognized:
Laura Welfare, Counselor Education, was promoted to Professor
Matthew Fullen, Counselor Education, was promoted to Assistant Professor
Bradley Bowen, Integrative STEM Education, was promoted to Assistant Professor.
Read more
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
WE ARE HIRING!
Grants Coordinator Assistant
The VT School of Education (SOE) is seeking a staff member to join a team of two other outstanding staff who manage the School’s research portfolio of ~$20M in external funding and ~$500k in internal funding. The Grants Coordinator will manage post-award fiscal and HR needs, working closely with principal investigators (PI’s) to ensure their sponsored research/outreach is moving forward, helping them maximize the resources available to them. The working environment is fast-paced, collegial, and fun.
To learn more or apply, visit this link.
Assistant Professor of Practice, Counselor Education Program
The VT School of Education (SOE) is seeking a colleague to join the Counselor Education Program who will contribute to our vision of preparing professional counselors and leaders in the counseling field. We invite applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice (non-tenure track) position on a 12-month appointment in our CACREP-accredited program.
To learn more or apply, visit this link.
The Virginia Tech School of Education is a global catalyst for individual and social transformation through education, applied research, and advocacy. With 20 degree and certificate programs, you can find your own pathway to serve the greater good.