Black Alumni Summit
Aug. 13-14 via Zoom
Register to receive a link.
Join us virtually in August for the fifth biennial Black Alumni Summit. The event is a chance for Virginia Tech's Black community to connect across continents, class years, and careers.
This year we will also launch the first official meeting of the Virginia Tech Black Alumni Society (VTBAS). New executive officers will be inducted, and participants will work to develop an organized network to facilitate alumni and student engagement with social activities, professional development, mentoring, and advocacy.
Don't miss the chance to continue our legacy of gathering for education, service, and fellowship.
Schedule
- 6 p.m. Welcome and Program Overview
- Latanya R. Walker, Director of Alumni Relations for Diversity and Inclusion
- 6:10 p.m. Student Affairs: Diversity Initiatives and Opportunities
- Dr. James Bridgeforth, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Experience
- Kristen Houston, Director of Parent and Alumni Relations
- 6:40 p.m. Corps of Cadets Spotlight
- Cadet Brooke Johnson ’24, Freshman Liaison - Black Cadet Organization (Animal and Poultry Science, minor in Chinese)
- Cadet Sam Tesema ’23, Member - Black Cadet Organization (Industrial and Systems Engineering)
- Cadet Brooke Johnson ’24, Freshman Liaison - Black Cadet Organization (Animal and Poultry Science, minor in Chinese)
- 7:10 p.m. 2022 Diversity Alumni Engagement Events and Initiatives
- Matt Brandon, Chief Advancement Officer for Inclusion and Diversity
- Latanya R. Walker, Director of Alumni Relations for Diversity and Inclusion
- Matt Brandon, Chief Advancement Officer for Inclusion and Diversity
- 7:40 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. College Breakouts: Diversity Initiatives and Opportunities
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Chevon Thorpe '15, Assistant Dean of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
- Jamie Lucero ’21, Director of Alumni Relations
- College of Engineering
- Quincy Brooks ’22, President of NSBE (Computer Engineering)
- Jesika McDaniel ’21, ‘22, Co-Chair of the Pre-College Initiative for NSBE (Biological Systems Engineering, MS in Science Curriculum & Instruction)
- College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
- Shaila Mehra Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Devair Jeffries Dean's Faculty Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Holly Kobia, Assistant Dean for Advancement
- College of Natural Resources and Environment
- Maryam Kamran, Director of Inclusion and Diversity
- Gabi Mountain, Director of Alumni Relations
- Maryam Kamran, Director of Inclusion and Diversity
- Pamplin College of Business
- Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean
- Janice Branch Hall, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
- Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- 8:30 p.m. Close-Out
- Matt Brandon, Chief Advancement Officer for Inclusion and Diversity
- 12:30 p.m. Diversity Updates
- Dr. Menah Pratt-Clarke, Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity
- Crasha Townsend, Director of Student Opportunities and Resources Program (SOAR)
- 1:30 p.m. Graduate Admissions Presentation
- Shernita Lee ’14, Assistant Dean and Director, Office of Recruitment Diversity and Inclusion
- 2 p.m. Presentation from Black Alumni Collective
- Allyson Reaves, Founder, Board Member, Black Alumni Collective
- 2:30 p.m. Undergraduate Admissions Presentation
- Juan Espinoza, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
- Louisa Burgos, Senior Director, Undergraduate Admissions
- Juan Espinoza, Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
- 3:15 p.m. Break
- 3:30 p.m. Introduction and Overview of the Day’s Process, Conversation Guidelines
- Latanya Walker, Director of Alumni Relations for Diversity and Inclusion
- Latanya Walker, Director of Alumni Relations for Diversity and Inclusion
- 3:45 p.m. Working Groups
- 5:15 p.m. Debrief and Next Steps
- 5:45 p.m. Adjournment
- 7:30 p.m. Installation of Officers
- 7:45 p.m. Incoming Student Welcome Celebration and Trivia Night
In Case You Missed It
On June 28, Hokies joined us to learn more about the creation of Virginia Tech's new Black Alumni Society. The informational session included a time for Q&A and a call for society officer nominations.
Cost
The event is free but participants have the option to make a gift to InclusiveVT Excellence, Black Alumni Scholarship, Groove Phi Groove Scholarship, or the Black Cultural Center.
Contact
For questions, contact Latanya Walker at latanya@vt.edu.