Claire Childress

Claire has worked for Virginia Tech Career and Professional Development for over 25 years. She leads a team of eight advisors who serve Career Pathways and Virginia Tech colleges, and an Administrative Assistant who serves Health Professions Advising. Our Career Pathways advisors and Claire assist students with career decision-making, gaining career-related experience, developing career readiness, and establishing their plans for after graduation.

A Certified Appreciative Advisor and 2012 graduate of the Appreciative Advising Institute, Claire is a passionate advocate for and practitioner of appreciative advising. A former President of the Virginia Association of Colleges and Employers, Claire served as Director of Professional Development for the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers from 2015-2017. Prior to her career in higher education, she worked in healthcare marketing/public relations and banking. Claire brings a global perspective to her work where she has traveled to over 10 countries and spent her junior year as an undergraduate studying abroad at the University of Reading in Reading, England. Claire loves being a wife and mother, cooking, reading, writing, traveling, and helping Hokies reach their dreams.

Educational background

M.B.A.
Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

B.A. cum laude, Economics
Randolph-Macon Woman's College
Lynchburg, Virginia

Professional affiliations

• Active in Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE) and Virginia Association of Colleges and Employers (VACE).
• Prior roles in SoACE: Professional Development Task Force, 2019–2020, creating a new leadership and mentoring program for members; Nominating Committee, Fall 2017 and Fall 2009; Director, Professional Development, SoACE Board of Directors, 2015–2017; Local Arrangements Co-Chair, SoACE Conference Committee, Jan 2013-Dec 2014; Professional Development Liaison, Experiential Education Knowledge Group, 2012–2013; SoACE 2013-2014 Task Force for state/regional collaboration, 2013-2014.
• Prior roles in VACE: President-Elect, President, Immediate Past President, 2008-2011; Co-Chair, Entertainment/Hospitality, VACE 2012, 2013, 2017 Annual Conferences; College Director, VACE Board of Directors, 2006–2008; Co-Chair, VACE 2007 and 2008 Annual Conferences; Program Co-Chair, VACE 2006 Annual Conference; Newcomers Co-Chair, VACE 2005 Annual Conference; Newsletter Editor, 2002–2005; Program Co-Chair, VACE 2004 Annual Conference; Entertainment Co-Chair, VACE 2003 Annual Conference; Program Team and Registration Team, VACE 2002 Annual Conference; Publicity Chair, Program Team, VACE 2001 Annual Conference; 2008 Patricia J. Carretta Special Achievement Award, 2003 VACE Emerging Leader Award.

Claire would love to meet you to talk about your career plans. How to make appointments.