Take a look back at Virginia Tech’s history as the university approaches the milestone of a century of women on campus. On June 9, at 6 p.m., historian Laura Belmonte, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, will lead the 100 Years of Women at Virginia Tech Panel, a virtual discussion with five Virginia Tech alumnae. The event, which will take place June 9 at 6 p.m. ET, is part of Reunion Weekend 2021.

The panelists are Linda Edmonds Turner (Clothing Textiles and Related Art ’70); Denise (Shuster) Greenfield (International Studies ’88); Tracy Castle-Newman (Finance ’90); Robyn Jones (Architecture and Political Science ’05); and Camille (DaDamio) Siskoy (Industrial and Systems Engineering ’11).

Linda Edmonds Turner ’70

Linda Edmonds Turner received a doctorate in business administration, an MBA, and a bachelor’s degree in clothing textiles and related art, all from Virginia Tech. She also holds a master’s degree in general ecology from Michigan State University and has completed a postdoctoral fellowship in higher education administration at Harvard University.

Turner arrived at Tech in the late 1960s, when there were still only a few dozen Black students on campus and she was one of the first six Black women. In her professional career, she has held senior leadership positions in higher education, corporate, and government/public policy organizations. She has held two college presidencies, including interim president of Boston’s Roxbury Community College and president of the Urban College of Boston. Since 2015 she has served as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ director of industrial accidents.

An active Virginia Tech alumna, Turner has been a member of both the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Council. She continues to be involved with the Black Alumni Reunion.

Denise (Shuster) Greenfield ’88 was the first female to serve as Regimental Commander of the Corps of Cadets.

She received her bachelor’s in international studies and was a member of various honor societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Tau Delta, the Gregory Guard Honorary Military Society, and the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society. The Cadet Member-at-Large for her class, she also served on the Ring Design Committee.

After graduation, Greenfield spent 22 years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned a doctorate in English while living in the United Kingdom. She currently serves on the Corps of Cadets Alumni Board of Directors.

Tracy Castle-Newman ’90

Tracy Castle-Newman is a managing director in institutional equity sales at Morgan Stanley. She is a member of the Equity Operating Committee and has worked in financial services for more than 30 years. In her current role, she has responsibility for client strategy as well as for running multiple businesses.

Castle-Newman has spent time elevating women’s profiles both internally and externally. She has founded multiple marquis clients events focused on raising the profile of women portfolio managers. She has been recognized by many organizations and publications, including Worth Power 100 and Crain’s Most Notable Women on Wall Street.

At Virginia Tech, Castle-Newman serves on the Pamplin Cabinet, is co-chair of the Finance Advisory Board, and is a member of the Seed Advisory Board. She and her husband, Andrew, are members of the Ut Prosim Society.

Robyn Jones ’05

Jones earned dual bachelor’s degrees in architecture and political science and a master’s degree, all from Virginia Tech. During her undergraduate years, she served as class president and was an active member in both Student Alumni Associates and the Order of the Gavel.

During her graduate program, Robyn served as the graduate student representative on the Board of Visitors and has maintained her involvement with her alma mater through the William Preston Society and work with her class reunion committee.

Jones currently works as the chief operating officer and director of marketing at Joba, an award-winning design, marketing, and communications studio she and her husband, Kevin, founded in Blacksburg.

Camille (DaDamio) Siskoy ’11

Siskoy received her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in industrial and systems engineering with a minor in leadership and social change. While at Virginia Tech, she was an active student leader involved with Student Alumni Associates, Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, and ISE Student Ambassadors. She was named the 2011 Undergraduate Woman of the Year and Greek Woman of the Year.

Since graduation from Virginia Tech, Siskoy has worked for General Motors with roles in manufacturing engineering and product development. Concurrently, she earned a master’s degree in global automotive and manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan. Camille is currently an engineering group manager for instrument panels and floor consoles in Interior Thermal Cabin Comfort Global Product Engineering. 

As a Virginia Tech alumna, Siskoy has served as a member of the Student Affairs Young Alumni Board and the ISE Emerging Leaders Board. She currently serves on the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors and is an active member of the Southeast Michigan Alumni Chapter.