Week of April 7-11

2025

Faculty Affairs: Membership in NCFDD available to Virginia Tech faculty, graduate students

Virginia Tech is an institutional member of NCFDD (formerly the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity) – a nationally recognized organization dedicated to supporting nearly 300,000 faculty, graduate students, and postdocs on their path to successful academic careers.

As part of this membership, Virginia Tech faculty and graduate students can enroll in a complimentary sub-account that offers access to NCFDD’s expansive online resources, including an array of webinars, resources, and programs including:

Weekly Monday Motivator
Monthly Core Curriculum Webinars
Hidden Handbook series
Monthly Guest Expert Webinars
Access to Dissertation Success Curriculum for graduate students
Private Discussion Forums

To activate an individual account, access the “Become a member” link on the NCDFF homepage. Scroll down and select Virginia Tech from the drop down and click on the "Activate My Account" button. Follow the instructions to complete the process.

For more information, visit the Mentoring and Support page on the Faculty Affairswebsite, and click the NCFDD box.

Research and Innovation: National Science Foundation Research Traineeship info webinar

The Office of Research and Innovation is hosting a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship (NRT) information webinar, April 10 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. via Zoom. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

Vinod Lohani, professor and a founding faculty member of Virginia Tech’s Department of Engineering Education, will share a roadmap for assembling a competitive NRT application, including firsthand insight into how to demonstrate to reviewers that a proposed program will be effective, sustainable, and impactful.

Designed to train STEM graduate students in high-priority interdisciplinary research areas, the NRT program integrates convergent research, innovative educational approaches, workforce development, and public-private partnerships to transform STEM graduate education.

For more information or to register, read this campus notice or visit the Research and Innovation events webpage.

Hokie Wellness: Care.com premium access available to full-time faculty, staff

Virginia Tech full-time faculty and staff across all locations have unlimited, premium access to the Care.com network for help in finding services such as child care, adult care, self-care, pet care, housekeeping, and tutoring.

With Care.com premium access, faculty and staff can book short- and long-term care with a wide range of provider types including those with experience assisting children and adults with special needs. All caregivers within Care.com’s network have completed a background check.

Faculty and staff can search for caregivers, post jobs, purchase additional screening, and pay caregivers in real-time through the platform. Those interested in registering for Care.com services may do so online using their Virginia Tech email address.

For more information including FAQs, services, and enrollment info, visit the Care.com portal for Virginia Tech employees. Additional questions and inquiries can be emailed to the Care.com Member Care team or Hokie Wellness.

Policy and Governance: Reminder of Policy 4815 – Minors at Virginia Tech

As the summer months approach and we see an increase in minors on campus with various youth camps and educational events taking place, faculty and academic staff are reminded to refer to Policy 4815: Minors at Virginia Tech. This policy was established to bring awareness to the presence of minors in programs conducted or hosted by the university and to set minimum requirements for the screening and training of individuals working with minors.

Virginia Tech is committed to the safety and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors through the establishment of reasonable practices that support a safe and secure environment in all university facilities, as well as to promote safety through policies and programs.

Faculty and academic staff who are planning to work with minors on campus or invite them to participate in a program or event hosted at Virginia Tech are encouraged to carefully review the policy and take part in an online survey.

For more information or questions about Policy 4815, visit the Office of Youth Protection webpage or email Tim Miles, youth protection associate specialist.

ICYMI: Message to the Virginia Tech community from President Tim Sands

View President Sands’ April 4 town hall conversation

President Tim Sands shared a message last week with the university community on recent actions in compliance with federal orders and the importance and value of freedom of expression and our Principles of Community. Here are summary points from his message:

Diversity is essential to ensuring the intellectual environment at Virginia Tech remains vibrant, and our students build skills that empower them to serve communities across the Commonwealth and the world.
That diversity of human experience is only possible with an inclusive environment, free of discrimination, that promotes dialogue across differences as expressed in our statement on Freedom of Expression and Inquiry as well as our Principles of Community.
The Board of Visitors recently approved a resolution that aims to ensure compliance with current interpretations of federal law regarding discrimination.
The resolution directs the university to dissolve the Office for Inclusive Strategy and Excellence, transfer permissible programs to other areas, and conduct a comprehensive review of university programs.
I know many members of our community have concerns and questions about the path forward.
I do not yet have all of the answers, but there are elements of our future state that are sufficiently settled to discuss with our community.
I am heartened by the BOV’s commitment to the value of diversity and inclusion as core to the mission of the university as affirmed in the opening paragraphs of the resolution.
InclusiveVT will continue to guide our work in support of our strategic priorities – Virginia Tech Advantage and Global Distinction – that promote student success and elevate our impact as a modern land-grant research institution.
Thank you for caring deeply about Virginia Tech, our community, and future.

Read President Sands’ full message to the campus community and the article on his April 4 town hall conversation on VT News.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: Hokie Wellness Monthly

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