Speaker Bios

Associate Professor of Civil War Studies and Director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies

Paul Quigley is currently researching Preston Brooks and political violence in the 1850s and the use of augmented reality in the public history of slavery and the Civil War era.

University Distinguished Professor, C. C. Garvin Professor of Geochemistry, and Steger Center for International Scholarship Director

Bodnar is the C.C. Garvin Professor of Geochemistry in the Department of Geosciences and a University Distinguished Professor. Bodnar serves as the director of the Steger Center for International Scholarship in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland.

University Distinguished Professor and C.P. Miles Professor of Science

The Dove group investigates mineral-solution interactions in systems that contain polysaccharides, proteins, and other macromolecules. Much of their work is focused on the nucleation and growth of mineral phases (oxides and sparingly soluble materials) in biomineralization settings to form the functional structures that we know as skeletons and other organic-mineral composites. Their research has numerous applications to the design and synthesis of crystal-organic composite materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, pharmaceutical, and energy-related industries.

Professor of Geobiology

Shuhai Xiao is a paleobiologist and geobiologist who studies the interactions between the biosphere and its environments at critical transitions in Earth history, particularly during the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition. He integrates paleobiological, sedimentological, and geochemical data to shed light on important evolutionary events (such as the origin and diversification of eukaryotes, multicellular organisms, and animals), their environmental contexts, and their geobiological consequences.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice (Architect)

Luis Borunda is an architect and educator with a specialization in technology and computational design. He received his B.Arch and M.S. in architecture from the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña and his Ph.D. in architectural construction and technology from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, where he was awarded for his research on automation in construction and design. Borunda’s work focuses on the integration of advanced fabrication techniques to develop sustainable and resilient built environments. He has led projects in smart construction and is currently leading research on the use of AI and computer vision in creating assistive technologies for inclusive design. Borunda has been recognized with the Excellence in Teaching award from Virginia Tech for his contributions to architectural education.

Visiting Instructor

Andrew Gipe-Lazarou holds a M.Arch from Harvard and a Ph.D. in architectural history and urban theory from the National Technical University of Athens. He is a Greek-American designer, educator, and researcher specializing in the intersection of accessible space-making and phenomenology and a recipient of the ACSA’s 2024 Diversity Achievement Award. His work includes contributions to the international Future Bodies Symposium (2022), Including Disability Global Summit (2023), and SAH 2024 (“‘Up-Island’ Architecture and the Artefacts of Deaf Utopia”); ongoing research about the feasibility of non-visual architectural study and practice (funded by the Virginia Tech Center for Humanities); and leadership (as Co-PI) of a university- and state-funded research project which is currently developing AI-based mobile navigation, description, and alert system (“NAVIGAID”) for individuals with vision impairment

Coordinator of Animal Assisted Therapy

Trent Davis is a counselor at Cook Counseling Center who enjoys working with individuals, groups, and couples in therapy. His professional interests include depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, and serious mental illness. Davis focuses on stress management and wellness in his clinical work. His therapeutic influences are humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, systematic, and interpersonal theories. Davis’ pet partner is Derek, who assists him with therapy sessions and is often present at outreach events on campus. Davis holds a Ph.D. in counselor education from Virginia Tech and is a licensed professional counselor.

Assistant Professor of Practice and Program Leader, Elementary Education 

Donna Fortune teaches literacy, listening literacy, social studies, culturally responsive teaching pedagogies, and curriculum courses. She utilizes the principles of Universal Design for Learning to help make instruction accessible for all students. She promotes the benefits of using children’s picture books as mentor texts for instruction and as a resource that teachers can use with students as gateways into the world of others.

Associate Professor of History and Director of The American Soldier in World War II Project

Ed Gitre's current research is focused on the battle over segregation in the U.S. Army during World War II. He is serving his first term as the District G representative on the Montgomery County School Board.

Acting Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Political Science and Collegiate Assistant Professor

Courtney Thomas teaches courses in international relations, political economy, and mass political violence. Her recent research has focused on queer rights in education and rural queer education spaces. She serves on the Montgomery County Public Schools Education Committee, the board of the Southwest Virginia chapter of GLSEN, and the NRV Indivisible Education Working Group.

Assistant Professor of Practice, Chief, Small Animal Physical Rehabilitation

Flori Bliss is a licensed veterinary technician who now leads the small animal physical rehabilitation service at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She discovered her passion for rehabilitation while working in surgery, noticing a gap in post-operative care for animals. She became a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner and now teaches and mentors future veterinarians, integrating physical rehabilitation into the curriculum and expanding the services offered at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Clinical Associate Professor

Bobbi Conner is passionate about keeping animals healthy. Conner is ACVECC board-certified in veterinary emergency and critical care and specializes in emergency care for small animals. Conner also loves spending time with her cat, Moter. As both an animal lover and veterinarian, she offers invaluable insight into determining the optimal care for all your furry family members.

Dean of of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology

Dan Givens performed undergraduate studies at Western Kentucky University from 1987 to 1990. Professional studies to earn a DVM were performed at Auburn University from 1990 to 1994. Between 1994 and 1996, Givens gained invaluable clinical experience as a practitioner providing care for both food animals and companion animals in a rural practice in central Kentucky. After two years of applying formal knowledge to actual case presentation, Givens returned to Auburn to complete a theriogenology clinical residency that culminated in board certification in 1998. Givens earned a Ph.D. in biomedical science in June 2000 and achieved board certification in the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (virology subspecialty) in November 2001 while performing NIH-funded post-doctoral research. Givens provided clinical service in the large animal teaching hospital until he was appointed coordinator of the Animal Health Research Unit at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Givens performed research and didactic teaching in the Department of Pathobiology and served as acting department head from 2011 to 2012. Givens was appointed associate dean for academic affairs in 2013. In June 2020, Givens retired from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine as associate dean and professor emeritus and began energetically serving in the role of dean at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

Clinical Associate Professor

Michael Nappier, DVM, DABVP is a doctor of veterinary medicine with 15 plus years of clinical and surgical practice in canine and feline practice. He is board-certified from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine and feline practice. He is now an associate professor in community practice at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Nappier was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) in 2018.

Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Engineering Education, Director of the Frith First-Year Makers Program, and Director of the Minecraft Museum of Engineering

Ben Chambers' research focuses include creativity-based pedagogy, the interactions of non-humans with the built environment, and the built environment as a tool for teaching at the nexus of biology and engineering. He earned his graduate degrees from Virginia Tech, including an M.S. in civil infrastructure engineering, M.S. in LFS entomology, and a Ph.D. in environmental design and planning as part of the BioBuild program.

Pride Center Director

Ashleigh “Bing” Bingham (she/they) joined the Virginia Tech and Cultural and Community Center team during the fall of 2019 as the director for the LGBTQ+ Resource Center. Bing’s work focuses on supporting the mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer Hokies by creating space, providing resources, advocating for student needs, and facilitating learning opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. This work has included chairing the LGBTQ+ Working Group, serving on the steering committees for the queer studies minor and the Lavender House LLC, and advising HokiePRIDE, as well as other gender, sexual, and romantic minority serving student organizations. Since their appointment as director, six all gender restrooms have been added to campus, a fifteen-week VirTual Safe Zone training program has been created and implemented, and chosen names have been incorporated in Banner and on Hokie Passports. Bing has also expanded the annual programs sponsored by the LGBTQ+ Resource Center to include Celebrate Bisexuality Day, Veterans Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Transgender Day of Visibility, as well as LGBTQ+ History Month, Pride Week, and Lavender Achievement Ceremony. Bing holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in social psychology, and a doctorate degree in higher education from Ball State University. Alongside their work in academia, Bing ran the gender non-conforming fashion and lifestyle blog “I Dream of Dapper” that was featured by Autostraddle, Buzzfeed, Dapper Q, Hudson Jeans, Love Inc. Magazine, Qwearfashion, and Madrid-based magazine S Moda.

University Arborist

Jamie King is an alumnus of Virginia Tech, with a B.S. in natural resources conservation and minors in urban forestry and forestry. Previously, King worked as the city arborist for the City of Roanoke for over seven years. In that role, he managed the health and risk of over 35,000 trees, executed planning and organizational activities, and engaged with customers.

Professor and Department Chair of Geography

Tom Crawford is a distinguished academic leader and scholar. He previously held the position of Professor and Banpu Chair of Sustainability at Saint Louis University. He earned his Ph.D. in geography from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill focusing on human-environment interactions and regional change in Northeast Thailand. He also holds a M.S. in geography from UNC institution and a B.S. in mathematical economics from Wake Forest University. Crawford's commitment to advancing knowledge in his field is evident in his extensive grant activity, including his role as principal investigator for projects funded by prestigious organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. His research interests span coastal erosion vulnerability, monsoon dynamics, human adaptive response, and public health risk assessment, reflecting a multifaceted approach to addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Director of Outreach and Business Development

Barry Miller came to Virginia Tech in 2018 from Radford University. He specializes in injury biomechanics, with particular emphasis on investigating human tolerance to impact loading. His work has been recognized across the country and published in his book, “Sports and Fitness Nutrition, Second Edition.”

Commandant of Cadets

Maj. Gen. Randal D. Fullhart, retired from the U.S. Air Force, serves as the commandant of cadets. His extensive military career spans commanding various levels including squadrons, groups, and wings. Notable assignments include leading expeditionary units in Operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom. He held diverse staff roles at major command and Headquarters U.S. Air Force levels, with joint and interagency experience. Fullhart holds academic degrees in international affairs and national security affairs and has completed prestigious leadership programs. As a command pilot, he has accumulated over 3,500 flying hours in various aircraft. Fullhart has received numerous awards and decorations for his service, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit.

Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science

Denis Gracanin's research focuses on virtual reality, simulation, computer graphics, and human-computer interaction.

Associate Vice President for Presidential Priorities

Debbie Day holds three degrees from Virginia Tech — a bachelor’s in communication studies, a master’s in adult and continuing education, and a Ph.D. in higher education. Most of her time working for the university has been in alumni relations, with the exception of directing the Office of Recovery and Support full-time for several years starting in 2008. Day’s ongoing role as a primary liaison of the university to families affected by the April 16, 2007, tragedy will not change.

President of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors and Member of the Virginia Tech Foundation Board of Directors

A 2011 graduate with a B.S. in marketing management and B.A. in communication, Nathan Lavinka’s many activities as an undergraduate included Class of 2011 President, Co-Director of The Big Event, 2010 Homecoming King, Chairman of the Commission on Student Affairs, German Club, Pamplin Ambassador, Business Horizons, Hokie Ambassador, Student Alumni Associates, Order of the Gavel, and Omicron Delta Kappa. As a member of the Charlotte Alumni Chapter, he was instrumental in launching a Big Event initiative for alumni chapters across the country.

President of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Professor in the College of Engineering

Timothy D. Sands is the 16th president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Since joining Virginia Tech in 2014, President Sands has set the university on a course to become a leading modern, global, land-grant institution aligned with the needs and opportunities created by a rapidly changing world in the context of the evolving landscape of higher education.

Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and Professor of History

Laura Belmonte received her B.A. in history and political science from the University of Georgia and her M.A. and Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia. Her books include "The International LGBT Rights Movement: A History" (Bloomsbury, 2020) and "Selling the American Way: U.S. Propaganda and the Cold War" (UPenn, 2008). She is also co-author of "Global Americans: A Transnational U.S. History" and editor of "Speaking of America: Readings in U.S. History." She is editor of the Bloomsbury series "History in 15" and co-editor of "Transnational LGBTQ+ Networks in Europe and the Americas" (Bloomsbury, forthcoming).

Dean of the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Alan Grant became the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech in October 2009. Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Grant served eight years as the head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University and 19 years on the Purdue faculty, where he developed programs in research and teaching and was involved in various extension and outreach programs and activities. He also served as the chair of the animal sciences graduate program at Purdue from 1999 to 2001. Grant’s past research on animal growth has focused on strategies for increasing the efficiency of lean meat production and utilization. His discovery efforts have also been directed at understanding the relationship between muscle development and meat quality and have encompassed collaborative partnerships and student involvement. Grant was recognized as a University Faculty Scholar at Purdue University for his achievements in teaching and research.

Dean of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design and Professor of Industrial Design

Dean Lu Liu (pronounced Lou Lee-Yoo) began his role as the leader of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design in July 2023. A human-centered innovator and entrepreneur, Liu spent the first 13 years in private industry before beginning a career as an educator and academic administrator. Liu arrived in Blacksburg after over a decade as the head of the Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design at North Carolina State University.

Dean of the College of Science, Lay Nam Chang Dean's Chair, and Professor of Physics 

A distinguished researcher, scholar, and academic leader, Kevin Pitts has more than 25 years of experience in academic and research settings. While at Fermilab, he oversaw the laboratory’s science program and worked extensively on a number of particle accelerator-based projects, including the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. As a faculty member at University of Illinois, Pitts was co-author on more than 600 peer-reviewed articles published in top-tier physics journals with citations in excess of 56,000. As an administrator, he served as vice provost for undergraduate education as well as associate dean for undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering and in the Department of Physics.

Richard E. Sorensen Chair and Dean of Pamplin College of Business

Saonee Sarker officially began as dean of the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business in July 2023. Sarker brings a wealth of research experience to the Pamplin College of Business. She is the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for MIS Quarterly, serving as an ambassador for DEI initiatives and senior editor emeritus for the journal. She also is senior editor of the Journal of the Association for Information Systems. Among her research interests are smart infrastructure and sustainability, healthcare information technology and technostress, technology-enabled collaboration, and more. Sarker earned a bachelor's degree from Lady Brabourne College (Calcutta University), an MBA from the University of Cincinnati, and a Ph.D. from Washington State University.

Associate Dean of Equity and Engagement for the College of Engineering and Executive Director of Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity

As the associate dean for equity and engagement, Bevlee Watford works on the recruitment and retention of diverse students, both undergraduate and graduate. This includes a wide array of programs developed and implemented for pre-college students, as well as programs supporting the academic, professional, and personal development of current students.

Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment and Professor of Wood Science and Forest Products

Paul Winistorfer is dean of the College of Natural Resources with overall responsibilities for the college's programs in learning, discovery, and engagement. Winistorfer came to Virginia Tech as department head in May of 2001 following a 16 year faculty appointment at the University of Tennessee and a post-doctoral appointment at the University of Georgia. He was appointed the third dean of the college in August 2009. Winistorfer holds a doctorate in forestry (wood science) from Iowa State University and also participated in the undergraduate honors degree program, encompassing studies in forest products, industrial engineering, and education. He is an elected fellow in the International Academy of Wood Science.

Assistant Professor of Practice for Undergraduate Education in the Food Science and Technology Department

Herbert Bruce earned his Ph.D. in education leadership from the University of Virginia in 2009, complementing his educational background, which includes an M.Ed. in higher education administration from Auburn University in 2002 and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Auburn University in 1985. In addition to his academic pursuits, Bruce has a rich professional history, having served as a submarine warfare officer in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 1991 and subsequently as a product development and packaging engineer at Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati, OH, from 1991 to 1994. Following his tenure in industry, he transitioned into the brewing sector, working as head brewer and plant manager at various breweries until 1999. Bruce then entered academia, holding leadership roles such as director of first-year programs at Lynchburg College and director of first-year experience at Armstrong Atlantic State College before returning to Virginia Tech, where he served as associate director of university studies from 2013 to 2020 before assuming his current position.

Food Chemistry Lab Manager

Anna Sandbrook earned her M.S. in agricultural and life science from Virginia Tech in 2021, following a B.S. in human nutrition, foods, and exercise from the same institution in 2009. Currently, she serves as the food chemistry laboratory manager at Virginia Tech's Department of Food Science and Technology. Previously, she held the position of wine analysis laboratory specialist at the Enology Services Laboratory within the same department from 2011 to 2021, and prior to that worked as a quality assurance lab assistant at WhiteWave Foods from 2009 to 2011.

Assistant Director, Special Collections and University Archives  

Kira Dietz’s work involves leadership and management within SCUA, serving as a liaison within the libraries and to the campus and research communities at large, working with donors and dealers to acquire new materials, participating in improving access to physical and digital materials in all collecting areas, and supporting reference, instruction, and outreach. Dietz also trains and supervises students, interns, and volunteers in the archives. In addition, Deitz is known as the go-to person for the department’s history of food and drink collecting area since joining the university, helping to manage more than 7,500 printed items, 125 manuscript collections, and the Food Timeline web resource (which was donated to Virginia Tech in fall 2020), and coordinating with food studies and food related programs on campus. In addition to these job responsibilities, Dietz is a faculty affiliate for the Department of History and a community affiliate for the food studies program, coordinating/wrangling the Food Timeline web resource. Dietz also consults on digital scholarship projects with knowledge of archives/primary sources, controlled vocabularies, library and archival descriptive standards, metadata best practices, archives encoding schema, planning/managing small digitization projects, and managing/planning/logistics digital scholarship collaborations with SCUA.

Women’s Soccer Head Coach

In Dec. 2010, Virginia Tech director of athletics Jim Weaver announced the hiring of Virginia Tech’s fourth head women's soccer coach, Charles “Chugger” Adair, the associate head coach for the team the previous five seasons. The 2022 season marked Adair's 17th season in Blacksburg and his 12th year as the Hokies' head coach. In that time, he's become the all-time wins leader in program history, ending the 2022 campaign with a 148-75-24 overall record, and is just the third soccer coach at the school (Jerry Cheynet and Mike Brizendine) to reach the 100-win milestone with the team's victory at Miami in Sept. 2019. He's also just the 10th women's soccer head coach to reach that mark in the ACC.

Football and Men's Basketball Analyst

Mike Burnop, Virginia Tech’s Hall of Fame network analyst, received a multi-year contract extension prior to the 2015 football season and enters his 40th season in the Hokies’ football booth. Burnop, a former star tight end for the Hokies, still holds the Virginia Tech record for receptions in a season by a tight end with 46. In addition to his broadcasting duties, Burnop owns New River Office Supply, a business operating in Blacksburg, VA. Burnop handles all post-game interviews from Virginia Tech’s locker room. His versatility at the mic is nearly unparalleled in collegiate athletics, as he also serves as the analyst for Virginia Tech men’s basketball broadcasts. He is one of just a few announcers nationwide who provide analysis for both sports. Burnop is a prominent member of the Blacksburg community, frequently lending his time and talents to philanthropic causes throughout the area. This includes speaking at many Hokie Club events and other venues/groups.

Volleyball Head Coach

Marci Byers was named the sixth head coach of the Virginia Tech volleyball program in Jan. 2020. She enters her fifth season at the helm of the Hokies. The 2023 season began with the Hokies starting off 10-0, a program record. Virginia Tech's 13-16 record was the best in the Byers' era. This season also saw the first victory for the Hokies against Notre Dame since 2015. During her first season, the team tallied five conference wins including a sweep of Virginia and a win over then No. 14 Duke in five sets. The Hokies defeated Virginia in 2021 as well, taking down the Cavaliers in five sets. Virginia Tech also defeated Boston College and Wake Forest in ACC play during Byers' second season at the helm. Byers has also been a successful coach at the club level. Her 2003-04 team qualified for the Junior Olympics in Houston, while her 2004-05 team reached the Junior Olympics in Salt Lake City. She was also invited to participate in the USA Volleyball Coaches Clinic at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. 

Women’s Golf Head Coach

Carol Robertson just completed her ninth season overall and eighth season of competition as the head coach of the Hokies’ women’s golf program. Robertson was hired in July 2013 as the program’s first-ever head coach. Robertson has built this program the right way by recruiting outstanding student-athletes who compete on the course, in the classroom, and in the community. The Virginia Tech women’s golf program was a known and respected entity before the team ever competed in their first event.