Week of May 18-22

2026

Research and Innovation: Search deadline extended for next ISCE executive director

The search committee charged with overseeing an internal search for the next executive director of the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment (ISCE) has extended the deadline for applications to Tuesday, May 26.

Reporting to the senior vice president for Research and Innovation, the executive director will shape the institute’s strategic direction, lead a social science research agenda by catalyzing innovative, translational research and scholarship, and foster collaboration across colleges.

The new executive director will replace Karen Roberto, who will retire after 20 years of leadership as the institute’s inaugural executive director, in August.

For more information or to inquire further about the position, read this ISCE search committee notice or email Lynn Byrd in Research and Innovation.

CPD: Learn about becoming a Career Champion for Virginia Tech students this summer

Career and Professional Development (CPD) invites faculty and staff to become a Career Champion this summer and learn more about services for undergraduate and graduate students including resources and strategies for career conversations. Through the Career Champions program, faculty and staff:

Learn the components of the career development process
Increase knowledge of resources available through CPD for undergraduate and graduate students with varying career needs
Increase confidence in ability to have career conversations with students
Understand the importance and value of Virginia Tech student reflection on career-related experiences
Increase awareness of current career trends

This program consists of interactive asynchronous learning, hands-on reflection, and content application in live Zoom sessions. Registration closes Friday, May 22.

For more information and to register, visit TLOS’ Professional Development Network course info and registration webpage.

CRCPE: Reminder to include accommodation statement, resources in summer event notices

Virginia Tech is committed to ensuring that programs, services, events, and activities are accessible to those with disabilities in accordance with ADA Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. With support from the Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education (CRCPE), the goal is to proactively plan events free of physical, communication, or other barriers so all individuals may participate.

Accommodation statements: All institutional and departmental publications that describe or invite/announce public participation or attendance in programs at the university, and all university-sponsored events held off campus, are required to contain a disability accommodation statement.
Response to accommodations requests: When responding to a request for accommodation, event planners should focus on the accessibility issue and the requested accommodation. Respond as quickly as possible to a participant requesting an accommodation because it may take several communications to work through the details of a particular request.

For more information and additional resources, read this accommodation statement campus notice or email CRCPE.

Division of Facilities: Summer traffic, pedestrian impacts due to campus construction projects

As a result of numerous summer capital construction, renovation, and maintenance projects on the Blacksburg campus, the Division of Facilities reminds faculty and staff to expect periodic road and pedestrian route closures and traffic delays in limited areas of the campus through August.

Below is a list of recently announced projects and areas where traffic and pedestrian impacts may occur. Please check to see if your route or building is affected.

For more information and an interactive map of impacted areas, read the campus notices in VT News for each impacted area or email Virginia Tech Facilities.

ICYMI: Provost Ross’ message of appreciation for partnership, flexibility during Canvas outage

I want to express my sincere gratitude to our faculty, instructors, and academic support staff for the extraordinary professionalism, flexibility, and student-focused care you have demonstrated in response to the Canvas outage and the resulting disruption to final exams and end-of-semester activities.

I recognize that rescheduling exams to Sunday created challenges for many in our campus community. For some, this meant changes to long-planned Mother’s Day celebrations, family gatherings, and travel. For others, it may have affected important personal, religious, or community commitments that are often part of every Sunday. I know these adjustments were not insignificant, particularly on short notice and at the end of an already demanding semester.

Despite these challenges, you responded with calm and compassion for students, commitment to academic integrity, and remarkable adaptability under difficult circumstances. Your willingness to adjust, communicate, problem-solve, and support students on such short notice reflects the very best of our academic community.

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for all you do for students and for Virginia Tech.

In the spirit of Ut Prosim,

Julie

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: Virginia Tech Presidential Search Information

Please submit a Google form or email Provost Communications for comments or recommendations to improve the Weekly Communications Update or to share faculty, staff, and academic program personnel information.

Visit the provost’s website frequently for new and updated university information. All members of the campus community should also read their VT News daily email for further important updates, notices, and resources.