Week of November 25 - 29

From Provost Cyril Clarke: Update on Virginia Tech Global Distinction progress

Provost Cyril Clarke shared a message recently with faculty and academic staff to provide an update on Virginia Tech Global Distinction and the progress made to position the university as a destination for world-class faculty, staff, students, and partners. Here are the highlights of his message:

• Virginia Tech Global Distinction reflects our commitment to institutional excellence across our tripartite mission, and to empower faculty, staff, and students to break new ground in impactful scholarship.
• Steering committee was formed and began its work by assessing strengths, performance gaps relative to peer institutions, strategies for closing gaps, and suggestions for maximizing global visibility and future investment.
• The next phase of its charge involves identifying select number of prioritized actions that are most likely to advance Virginia Tech’s global reputation as well as estimation of investments that will be needed to achieve this goal.
• Virginia Tech already has several university-level programs that exemplify approaches that positively impact outcomes associated with global distinction.
• Moving forward, the steering committee will review these approaches to assess their success, validate them as necessary, and identify other programs and approaches that are likely to be impactful.
• We will compare our performance against other peer institutions using carefully selected rankings, such as the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking and the THE Impact Ranking.
• These rankings are not the primary focus of Global Distinction but represent proxies that allow us to measure progress towards strategic interests.
• As the Global Distinction Steering Committee progresses in its work and recommendations take shape, your feedback and insights will be pivotal.

For the full message from Provost Clarke, visit the provost’s website.

TLOS: Apply for pilot program access to ChatGPT Edu for the spring 2025 semester

Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), under the direction of the university-wide Generative AI Working Group, announces the anticipated launch of a ChatGPT Edu pilot for spring semester 2025. The pilot will provide access to a conversational generative AI (Gen AI) interface to up to 500 full-time Virginia Tech employees and graduate assistants.

Feedback will be used to make recommendations to university leadership as they determine Virginia Tech’s future approach to and investment in Gen AI.

Benefits

• Pilot participants receive access to ChatGPT Edu throughout the 2025 calendar year (a $240 value).
• Participants will also receive training on ChatGPT functionality and responsible uses of Gen AI, as well as technical support during spring 2025.

Requirements

• Pilot participants will be required to complete feedback surveys and should be willing to participate in other interviews, studies, or focus group activities.
• Participants must complete the mandatory training and adhere to ChatGPT Edu responsible usage and security guidelines.

Applications are being accepted in anticipation of the successful completion of ChatGPT Edu’s security review and procurement. To apply, complete the pilot application survey (VT username and passphrase required) by Friday, December 6.

For more information, read this campus notice or contact TLOS. NOTE: The planned ChatGPT Edu pilot is separate from the Microsoft 365 Copilot AI tool trial.

Provost’s Office: Open forums for finalists for dean of the Virginia Tech Honors College

The search committee for the next dean of the Virginia Tech Honors College invites the campus community to participate in open forum sessions — in person and virtually — for the three finalists who will visit the campus in early December.

Saonee Sarker, dean of the Pamplin College of Business and chair of the search committee, invites all members of the campus community to meet the finalists in person or virtually following the open forum discussions.

• Emily Allen
  Tuesday, December 3 
  3:30-4:30 p.m.; Reception: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  Holtzman Alumni Center, Assembly Hall – Zoom (Passcode: 000037)
• Rebecca Bott-Knutson
  Thursday, December 5
  3:30-4:30 p.m.; Reception: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  Holtzman Alumni Center, Assembly Hall – Zoom (Passcode: 250308) 
• Carla Koretsky 
  Monday, December 9 
  3:30-4:30 p.m.; Reception: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  Holtzman Alumni Center, Assembly Hall – Zoom (Passcode: 896572)

For more information, read this campus notice. Search updates will be posted on the Senior Administrator Search page of the Provost’s Office website.

Hokies Give Back Campaign: Give thanks this week by donating to those in need

As our university community looks forward to the upcoming holidays and makes plans to spend time with family and friends, please take a moment to support those less fortunate through the Hokies Give Back campaign. Even a small gift can make a big difference in the lives of others.

The annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is currently being restructured which has allowed Virginia Tech to re-envision how we can best support and urge employees to support the charities they are most passionate about. As a result, employees are encouraged to donate directly to their charity or charities through their websites, mailing a donation, volunteering, or other giving methods.

As you plan your holiday giving, the lists of charitable organizations are available for the following areas:

• Greater Washington, D.C. metro area
• National
• Roanoke
• Southwest Virginia/New River Valley

For more information, read this campus notice, contact your senior management area steering committee member, or visit the Hokies Give Back FAQs webpage.

ICYMI: Faculty preparing for course instruction invited to attend Winter Course Design Clinic

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) invites faculty preparing for future course instruction to attend the Winter Course Design Clinic on January 15-16, 2025 in the Goodall Room at Newman Library.

During the Winter Course Design Clinic, activities will focus on identifying areas of both strength and weakness in existing course design, incorporating engaging pedagogy, identifying moments to check in with students, and building a stronger community and sense of belonging. The clinic looks at stages of design to include:

• Aligning goals and learning outcomes with activities and assessments 
• Organizing the course shell, syllabus, and schedule 
• Designing individual class meetings, activities, and assignments 
• Planning for assessment of student learning

For more information and to register for the event , read this campus notice, visit the Winter Course Design Clinic webpage, or email CETL.

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: The Pamplin Pulse: News from Pamplin College of Business

• Microsoft storage changes at Virginia Tech: timeline announced
• Updates on university-wide efforts to optimize space use across campuses
• University Council discussion items for December 2 meeting
• Apply for Center for Humanities Faculty Fellow Program, Spring 2025
• Register now for December Hokie Wellness programs
• Parking rates for Innovation Campus Academic Building One in Alexandria
• Call for applications: Accessibility Professional Certification Grant Program
• Include accommodation statement in university event notices

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.