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Week of September 1-5

2025

Message from Provost Cyril Clarke: Welcome to the 2025-26 academic year 

Provost Cyril Clarke shared a message last Friday to welcome faculty and academic program staff to the 2025-26 academic year, and to provide important information and updates on university initiatives, priorities, and opportunities that will impact Virginia Tech’s academic and research efforts. 

“Whether you are new to Virginia Tech or returning from the summer break, I look forward to working together and wish you all the best for the year ahead. The Provost’s Office, along with university and faculty leadership groups, is here to support and advocate for you in your teaching, research, and service activities.” 

Read the full message from Provost Clarke.

CETL: Fall programs, resources to support faculty in enhancing teaching strategies

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) supports Virginia Tech faculty in advancing research-based teaching and learning design and strategies through certificate programs, learning communities, and workshop offerings.

For the fall 2026 semester, the following are available to support the design, development, and implementation of learner-centered instruction: 

  • Book Clubs - Opportunities to build small community, explore topics presented in books identified as timely and supportive of teaching and learning. 
  • CETL Workshops - Dynamic series of workshops designed to support inclusive, intentional, and effective teaching practices. 
  • Communities of Practice (CoP) - Explore topics relevant to your teaching experiences, interests, and needs with fellow Virginia Tech faculty. 
  • Principles of Effective Teaching (PET) Certificate Program - An opportunity for faculty to engage in and develop substantive knowledge and skills. 

For more information, read this campus notice, visit CETL's programs and initiatives webpage, or email CETL. 

Faculty Affairs: New guide to support colleges, departments conducting faculty searches 

Faculty Affairs has published a teaching and research (T&R) Faculty Search Guide to support colleges and departments in conducting thoughtful, rigorous, and effective faculty searches. 

Effective searches are essential to recruiting and retaining outstanding scholars, advancing Virginia Tech’s mission, and achieving our aspirations for global distinction. The new Faculty Search Guide provides:

  • Principles for faculty searches grounded in fairness, merit, and excellence.
  • Step-by-step guidance on initiating and conducting a search, from forming committees to posting positions to evaluating candidates.
  • Best practices for active recruiting, as well as holistic candidate assessment and equitable evaluation.
  • Practical tools and resources including checklists, sample charges, and summaries of search chair and committee duties. 

In addition and in collaboration with with our Human Resources and Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education (CRCPE) partners, Faculty Affairs is revising search committee training, which will align closely with the new guide. 

For more information and further details, view the downloadable Faculty Search Guide or email Faculty Affairs.

Offices of Provost, Chief Operating Officer: Impacts from Friday, October 24 home football game 

Virginia Tech will host a nationally televised football game on the evening of Friday, October 24 against California. Kickoff for the game is 7:30 p.m. With increased traffic and travel impacts expected, the university will take steps to ensure the orderly flow of traffic and increase safety across the Blacksburg campus: 

  • All in-person classes on the Blacksburg campus beginning at or after 3:00 p.m. will be canceled. 
  • All online classes will be held as scheduled. 
  • University employees who have remote or hybrid work agreements and schedules are strongly encouraged to work remotely on October 24. 
  • Administrative offices and non-instructional university offices will close at 2:00 p.m. in Blacksburg. 
  • Designated emergency personnel who work will receive authorized closing leave for their time worked from 2:00 – 11:59 p.m. 

Faculty and instructors who have in-person classes affected by this early closing may want to inform their students early and include the information on their course syllabi. 

For more information, read this campus notice or refer to University Policy No. 4305: Authorized Closings Leave and Compensation Policy. If employees have additional questions, they should contact their supervisor or HR representative. 

ICYMI: HigherEd+ provides faculty with career development tools, resources 

Virginia Tech is an official institutional member of HigherEd+, a suite more than 100 professional development courses and resources focused on academic career development tools and knowledge for teaching and research faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. 

Faculty Affairs, in collaboration with the Offices of Research and Innovation, Postdoctoral Affairs, Career and Professional Development, and Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) is hosting two info sessions for those who want to learn more about HigherEd+ courses and instructional resources. 

September 11: 

Through HigherEd+, Virginia Tech faculty and instructors are also able earn associated micro-credentials, including options for Future Faculty, First Year Faculty, and AI in Academia. 

For more information on HigherEd+ or the upcoming information sessions, visit the corresponding Professional Development Network course pages linked above or email Barbara Lockee in Faculty Affairs. 

Additional Resources and Updates

Newsletter Spotlight: TLOS Professional Development Network

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.