Career Champions program for Virginia Tech faculty and staff

Effective 2022-2023, we are partnered with Virginia Tech TLOS (Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies). Career Champions is included in the Professional Development Network (PDN), with an updated format for trainings. The Core Training is presented through interactive asynchronous learning modules and augmented with live sessions for content application and conversation. For those participating in the TLOS/PDN Computer Refresh Program, successful completion of the Career Champions Core Training provides 12 hours of credit.

Format: Online (independent work and three live sessions).

Time commitment: 12 hours, comprised of approximately two hours of asynchronous learning before each of the three 90-minute live Zoom sessions.

Fall 2024 Core Training:
Live session dates/times:
Wednesdays, October 2, October 16, and November 6, 2024
10:00 – 11:30 am ET.
More information and enrollment through TLOS.
Enrollment closes Friday, September 13, 2024, at 5:00 pm ET.

Spring 2025 Core Training:
Live session dates/times:
Thursdays, February 13, February 27, and March 20, 2025
1:30 – 3:00 pm ET.
More information and enrollment through TLOS.
Enrollment closes Monday, January 27, 2025, at 5:00 pm ET.

Summer 2025 Core Training:
Live session dates/times:
Tuesdays, June 17, July 1, and July 15, 2025
1:30 – 3:00 pm ET.
More information and enrollment link to come.
Enrollment closes Friday, May 30, 2025, at 5:00 pm ET.

• Any current Virginia Tech employee, full-time, or part-time, on any Virginia Tech campus, may enroll in the Career Champions Core Training course.

Optional Electives:

Optional, 90-minute, virtual electives are stand-alone sessions open to those who have completed the Core Training. Each semester, we offer three to four optional electives (fall, spring, and summer), and electives repeat on a two-year rotation. As electives are offered, we will email information to those who are eligible to attend.

We currently offer 19 electives including:

• Population-specific topics.
• Spotlights on different approaches to career conversations.
• Foundational job search skills.
• Career potpourri (timely career related topics).

Employer-Focused Opportunities:

To help our Career Champions connect with employers and stay up to date with recent recruiting trends, those who have completed the Core Training are also eligible to attend:

• A fall, virtual workshop sharing trends we are seeing with employers and highlights from the fall recruiting season.
• A spring, virtual Employer Panel oriented around different themes.

Bonus Opportunities:

In addition to electives and employer-focused opportunities, we offer several bonus opportunities for our Career Champions to deepen their learning and connect with peers across cohorts. In the past we have held Summer Book Clubs, and we hope to expand our bonus opportunities in the coming years.

Those who have completed Core Training are listed below by semester when they trained, with their Virginia Tech affiliation at the time of their training. If you wish to find contact information for a current Virginia Tech employee, use Virginia Tech people search.

Summer 2024 cohort.
Name and Virginia Tech department at time of training:

• Debbie Cash Bissi, University Libraries
• Charity Boyette, Pamplin College of Business
• Lori Brookins, Central Advancement
• Ashley Carter, Department of Human Resources
• Michelle Carter, Human Resources - Talent Development Team
• Quintavis Cureton, Student Conduct
• Dixie Watts Dalton, Agricultural and Applied Economics Department
• Deanna Flora, Academy of Data Science
• Ginny Ford, Global Education Office
• Pascha Gerni, Office of the President
• Andrea Green, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences Graduate Program
• Kathleen Green, Alumni Relations, LINK
• Ian Griffin, TLOS
• Michele Hosey, Cancer Research Center - DC
• Amy Hubbard, Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability
• Billi Hutchings, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Health Sciences and Technology Library
• Catherine James, Orion LLC
• Crystal Jefferson, Pamplin College of Business
• Kelli Karcher, Math Department
• Jenny Lo, Department of Engineering Education
• Emily Metzgar, Department of Aerospace & Ocean Engineering
• Jenn Million, Graduate School
• Sehrish Basir Nizamani, Computer Science
• Martha Pinard, Student Conduct
• Ron Poff, Pamplin College of Business
• Laura Raschke, Department of Management, Pamplin College of Business
• Kate Renz, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• Amber Snider, Office of Veterans Services
• Melanie Sontheimer, College of Science - Nanomedicine, Nanoscience and Systems Biology
• Eric Standley, College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
• Amanda Tai, Online Master of Natural Resources
• Donna Weikel, Career and Professional Development
• Maria Woods, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Karen Wrightsman, Pamplin College of Business

Spring 2024 cohort.
Name and Viginia Tech department at time of training:

• Christine Burgoyne, Materials Science and Engineering
• Benjamin Cheng, Computer Science
• Jazzy Coles, Computer Science
• Benjamin Comire, College of Science
• Nicole Ebreo, Economics Department
• Joell Eifert, Food Science and Technology
• Caitlin Fanning, Pamplin College of Business
• Rebecca Franklin, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Sociology
• John Freeborn, College of Natural Resources and Environment
• Rachel Hall, Pamplin College of Business
• Sally Hamouda, Computer Science
• Alexis Henderson, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• Anne Kroemer Hoffman, Advancement
• Jordan Hurst, Pamplin College of Business
• Irene Leech, Department of Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management
• Anna LoMascolo, Women's Center
• Jason Markette, Career and Professional Development
• April Mullins, General Engineering
• Katherine Murphy, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• Kayla Raymond, Pamplin College of Business
• David Robertson, College of Natural Resources and Environment
• Susan Rosebrough, School of Visual Arts
• Temperance Rowell, College of Science
• Vivek Shastry, College of Science
• Alexis Snyder, Master of Engineering in Computer Science and Applications Program
• Mindy Taliaferro, Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Chevon Thorpe, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Sharon Williams, Academic and Career Advisor
• Carrie Lynne Wolford, Director, Player Engagement for Virginia Tech Football
• Susanna Young, Program Coordinator

Spring 2023 cohort.
Name and Viginia Tech department at time of training:

• Adey Hailu Kefenie, The Graduate School
• Brandy Respess, Statistics
• Carrie Mayer, The Graduate School
• Chelsea Nowak, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
• Chelsey Hancock, Apparel, Housing, and Resources Management
• Chris LaPlante, School of Public and International Affairs
• Christopher Arena, Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
• Elia Amegashie, School of Public and International Affairs
• Fanny Jasso-Hernandez, Mathematics
• Ginger Dempsey, Agriculture, Leadership, and Continued Education
• Heath Furrow, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• Jason Johnson, University Studies and Scholarship Support
• Jennifer Wayne, Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
• Jess Hoopengardner, College of Science
• Jingjing Huang, Mechanical Engineering
• Joe Wilder, Office of Undergraduate Academic Integrity
• Julianna Ramirez, Biological Sciences
• Katie Cross, Population Health Sciences
• Kayla Dean, The Graduate School
• Kelly Crist, School of Public and International Affairs
• Ken Mallory, Corps of Cadets
• Kim Dowdy, Center for International Research, Education, and Development
• Lauren Varboncoeur, College of Natural Resources and Environment
• Lindsay Barron, The Graduate School
• Sarah Clinton, School of Neuroscience
• Stephanie Hart, College of Natural Resources and Environment
• Suzanne Shelburne, Student Success Center
• Tim Reijo Saarinen, Chemistry

Fall 2022 cohort.
Name and Virginia Tech department at time of training:

• Kelly B Avery, Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management
• Heather L Bradford, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
• Jonathan Briganti, University Libraries
• Anne M Brown, University Libraries
• Melissa Cumbia, College of Natural Resources and Environment
• Mikaela David-John, Student Opportunities and Achievement Resources (SOAR)
• Sophie DeSimone, Office of Undergraduate Research
• Rebekah DeToma, Biological Sciences
• Karen Drake-Whitney, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
• Monika Gibson, Graduate School
• Helene Shine Goetz, University Studies
• Sarah Harvey, Political Science
• Kurt A Hoffman, Psychology
• Geoff Kerr, Virginia Tech National Security Institute
• Jacob Kerstiens, Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Laila Kirkpatrick, Multicultural Academic Opportunities (MAOP)
• Dawn Knight, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• Amy Kokkinakos, Chemistry
• Rebecca Moreau, Undergraduate Academic Integrity Office
• Barbara Parker, Computer Science
• Cassie Pinaire, Residential Wellbeing and Dean of Students Office
• Casey Polk, Student Opportunities and Achievement Resources (SOAR)
• Brianna Posadas, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
• Nicci Ratcliff, Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Parker D Sanders, Pamplin College of Business
• Jessica StClair, Mathematics
• Seth Sterlin, Office of Inclusion and Diversity
• Lauren Surface, Graduate School
• Haleigh Wallace, Women’s Center
• Quina Weber-Shirk, Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement

Fall 2021 cohort.
Name and Virginia Tech department at time of training:

• Diane Agud, Mathematics
• Jennifer Bradley, Computer Science
• Leanne Brownlee, Pamplin Undergraduate Programs - Academic Advising
• Herbert Bruce, Food Science and Technology
• Grace Burden, Biological Sciences
• Janice Chatham, University Studies and Scholarship Support
• Juan Cordero, Office of Veteran Services
• Julia Costello, Computer Science
• Christy Cumbia, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Jessica Elmore, Engineering Education
• Page Fetter, University Studies and Scholarship Support
• Hillary Gaskins, Pamplin Undergraduate Programs - Academic Advising
• Kayla Goodwin, School of Communication
• Kim Grandstaff, Materials Science and Engineering
• Beverly Griffin, Evening MBA Program
• Ruth Hale, Computer Science
• Nicole Hazuda, Engineering Education
• Paige Johnson, Computer Science
• Joe Merola, Chemistry
• Peter Osebre, Biology
• Erika Perdue, Economics
• Martha Sullivan, Industrial Design
• Haley Tucker, School of Neuroscience
• Emily Vedder, School of Neuroscience
• Emily Whitehouse, Living-Learning Programs
• Ashley Wills, Myers-Lawson School of Construction

Spring 2021 cohort.
Name and Virginia Tech department at time of training:

• Shania Clinedinst, Graduate School
• Rommelyn Coffren, Global Education Office
• Jen Hanratty, Political Science
• Bryan Hanson, Graduate School
• Maggie Johnson, Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Susan Merten, Northern Virginia Center, Graduate School
• Tonisha Montgomery, Computer Science
• Amy Rasor, Biochemistry
• Heather Simpson, Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Kevin Sutton, Hokie Wellness
• Alise Svihla, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services
• Zack Underwood, University Academic Advising Center
• William Weisenhorn, Higher Education Student Affairs
• Katie White, Agricultural and Applied Economics
• Allison Winterbotham, FBRI Montague Lab
• Kenneth Wong, Northern Virginia Center, Graduate School

Fall 2020 cohort.
Name and Virginia Tech department at time of training:

• Priscilla Baker, Biological Systems Engineering
• Lisa Boothe, Career and Professional Development
• Leigh Anne Byrd, Computer Science
• Michelle Czamanske, Materials Science Engineering
• Taylor Cupp, College of Engineering
• Sarah Deisher, Mechanical Engineering
• Nicole Easton, Office of Undergraduate Research
• Jessica Hurdus, Mathematics
• Felicia Jefferson, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services
• Marlena Lester, Engineering - Academics Affairs
• Liana Lewis, Higher Education Student Affairs
• Jenean Meadows, Career and Professional Development
• Christina Minford, Psychology
• Charlotte Parks, Academy of Integrated Science
• Julie Pence, School of Neuroscience
• Sadie Powell, Mathematics
• Laura Purcell, School of Communication
• Taylor Swan, Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program
• Ryan Underwood, Computer Science
• Rex Waters, Undergraduate Studies
• Crystal Wiltsee, Career and Professional Development

Spring 2020 cohort.
Name and Virginia Tech department at time of training:

• Annette Ben-Tzvi, Mechanical Engineering
• Matthew Cheatham, Engineering Education
• Michelle Crotto, Mining and Minerals Engineering
• Donna Faltin, Agricultural and Applied Economics
• Laura Ferguson, English
• Courtney Glass, Psychology
• Maia Greene-Havas, Engineering Education
• Cathy Hill, Mechanical Engineering
• Taylor Snider Kindley, Pamplin Undergraduate Programs - Academic Advising
• Tiera Lanford, Engineering - Academics Affairs
• Ann Lee, Myers-Lawson School of Construction
• Daniel Newcomb, Engineering Education
• April Newcomer, Geosciences
• Alice Noble, Engineering Education
• Hannah Shinault, School of Communication
• Stephanie Smith, School of Communication
• Keri Swaby, Undergraduate Research
• Lauren Thomas, University Academic Advising Center

Fall 2019 cohort.
Name and Virginia Tech department at time of training:

• Cindy Beatty, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Academic Programs
• Sarah Bechtel, School of Neuroscience
• Rosanna Breaux, Psychology
• Mary Brewer, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Claudia P. Brodkin, Chemistry
• Susan Broniak, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Julie Burger, College of Natural Resources and Environment
• Vern Ferguson, School of Architecture and Design
• Nicole Gholston, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Meghan Jester, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
• Kimberly Johnston, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Kara Lattimer, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Rachel Morgante-Richmeier, Population Health Sciences
• Negin Nazem, Chemistry
• Stephanie Nelson, Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise
• James Newcomer, Engineering Education
• Debbie Pollio, Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise
• Amanda Sandridge, Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
• Nasim Schwab, Academic Advising Initiatives
• Donna Sedgwick, Sociology
• Emily Wilkinson Stallings, School of Communication
• Jen Stewart, Biochemistry
• Paula Van Curen, Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Linda Vick, Mechanical Engineering
• Kelsey Wall, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
• Heather Whedbee, Mechanical Engineering
• Kevin Wogenrich, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise

We have offered this program each semester since fall 2019, with the exception of spring 2022 while we prepared to offer the program through TLOS. We have continuously adjusted the program content since our pilot offering, based on feedback from our participants.

Why we offer the program:
The Career Everywhere concept recognizes that career conversations can happen anywhere. Whether with peers, faculty members, staff, alumni, employer partners, supervisors or beyond, students seek advice about their career aspirations and plans from a variety of individuals. In Career and Professional Development, having those conversations is our passion and how we serve the Virginia Tech community. Career Champions is the program we have created to share tools and referral resources with our fellow Hokies so that everyone can feel more confident engaging in career focused conversations when presented with the opportunity.

Mission

Recognizing that career conversations happen everywhere, the mission of the Career Champions Program is to build relationships between Career and Professional Development and the Virginia Tech community, creating and equipping Career Champions to support and build a career everywhere culture for the benefit of Virginia Tech students.

Purpose

Provide training for those who are engaged in career conversations with students and want to enhance their knowledge of career resources, including facilitating a common vocabulary around career.

Create a network of ambassadors (Career Champions) who are having informed career conversations with students and serving as referral agents to Career and Professional Development.

Strengthen collaboration between Career Champions and Career and Professional Development through continuous learning in an interactive professional development program.

Actively partner with the university community so that together we support the university motto, Ut Prosim, that I may serve.

Learning objectives (updated for fall 2022)

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