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Faculty and Staff Caucuses

Virginia Tech has 10 independent faculty and staff caucuses representing different communities at the university. For more information on a caucus, refer to the information below. 

The purpose of the Appalachian Caucus at Virginia Tech is to support the faculty, staff, and students of Appalachia, to encourage conversations regarding their experiences and issues, and offer community building opportunities that promote a positive representation of the local culture on the Blacksburg campus, in the surrounding communities, and abroad. Anyone who has an interest in Appalachia is welcome to participate, whether you were originally born in Appalachia or not, you’re here now!

Email: appalachiancaucus@vt.edu
Facebook: Virginia Tech Appalachian Caucus (Official Site)

Mission Statement: To serve as an advocacy and support group for faculty and staff at Virginia Tech who self-identify as Asian broadly defined, including Southeast Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander, mixed-race Asian, Middle Eastern, East Asian, and Central Asian; do work pertinent to Asian/Asian American communities; and/or are interested in participating in conversations relevant to those who identify as Asian/Asian American. The caucus functions as a liaison to the university community on issues relevant to Asians and Asian Americans and is committed to supporting Asian/Asian American students at Virginia Tech. 

Visit their website
CCC for AIIPA: Nina Ha

Mission Statement: The purpose of the Black Caucus shall be to promote the well being of Black faculty, staff, and students of Virginia Tech; to assertively push for the recruitment of Black faculty, staff, and students; to assist in the recruitment and retention of Black undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech; to encourage equitable utilization of Black faculty, staff, and students throughout the university community; to be a liaison between the Black faculty, staff, and students and the university administration; and to organize and maintain a support network for Black faculty, staff, and students at Virginia Tech.

To receive important information about events, meetings, and community happenings, please contact a member of the executive committee.

CCC for Black Caucus of Virginia Tech: Kimberly Clark-Shaw

Mission Statement: The Disability Alliance at Virginia Tech is a Registered Student Organization which contains a faculty and staff disability caucus. This is a space for disabled Virginia Tech community members and their allies to come together and engage in community building, mutual support, and disability activism. As a cross-disability organization, we celebrate the diversity of disability experiences. We welcome those with mental illnesses, developmental, intellectual, and learning disabilities, chronic illnesses, and/or other hidden disabilities. We acknowledge the validity of both self and professional forms of diagnoses, and we won’t ask you to prove your identities. We hope to create a diverse group which honors the varied and multiple identities disabled people and their allies may hold.

Join the Goolge listserv 
Visit their website

Mission Statement: The Hispanic and Latino Faculty and Staff Caucus (the Hispanic Caucus) collaborates with university administration for the recruitment and retention of Hispanic/Latino faculty, staff, and students.

We also support community efforts that commemorate the diverse cultures in this region. The caucus aims to enhance the quality of education and life for all faculty, staff, and students at Virginia Tech and residents in surrounding communities.

CCC for Hispanic and Latinx Faculty and Staff Caucus: Veronica Montes

Mission Statement: The purpose of the JCVT shall be to promote the well-being of the Jewish community at Virginia Tech; to support the recruitment of Jewish faculty and staff; to assist in the recruitment and retention of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech; to encourage equitable utilization of Jewish faculty and staff throughout the university community; to be a liaison between the Jewish faculty and staff and the university administration; and to organize and maintain a support network for Jewish faculty and staff at Virginia Tech.

For more information, please contact one of the officers listed above.

Mission Statement: The LGBTQ+ Caucus at Virginia Tech is committed to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families. The caucus seeks to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals both at the university and in the New River Valley through educational programming, social activities, public service, and outreach.

Visit their website 
Listserv: lgbtqcaucus-g@vt.edu; to join email Haleigh Wallace 
Cultural and Community Center for the LGBTQ+ Caucus: Pride Center, Director: Ashleigh "Bing" Bingham

Mission Statement: The Indigenous Caucus at Virginia Tech is composed of faculty and staff and its mission is to empower and advocate for Indigenous staff, faculty, and students at Virginia Tech. The Indigenous Caucus is an independent group, not sponsored by the institution. It is formed voluntarily by faculty and staff who are interested in building community on campus and elevating Indigenous voices. We define Indigenous to broadly include all original peoples around the globe whose ancestors have ties to the land they occupy, or were disposed from, since time immemorial, especially those in Turtle Island and Abya Yala (what is now called "the Americas"). Virginia Tech is a land grant university on Monacan/Tutelo land, and we are therefore committed to supporting the Monacan Nation and other Yesa (Eastern Siouan) peoples. Our goals are to: 

  • Create a supportive and welcoming campus community for Indigenous staff and faculty.  
  • Representing and amplifying the Indigenous voices on campus in matters of university governance, policy, and programming.   
  • Help recruit and retain Indigenous students, staff, and faculty by advocating for resources. 
  • Promote and further Yesa history, language, and culture.   
  • Foster the development of positive and lasting collaboration between Virginia Tech and all 11 Virginia Indigenous Nations. 
  • Nurture and promote strong relationships between Indigenous faculty and staff, and the Indigenous Studies Program and Ati: Wa:oki (the Indigenous Community Center).  
  • Advise and oversee responsible use of the Indigenous Community Garden at Virginia Tech.   
  • Engage Indigenous peoples, especially youth, in pathways that might lead to future studies at Virginia Tech or another academic institution. 
  • Indigenous Caucus holds a seat on the Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity (CEOD). 
  • Co-Chairs: Mikaela David-John and Alicia Aldaz
  • Co-Secretarys: Emily Wilkins and Sarah Stanley
  • Indigenous Community Garden Caretaker: Victoria Ferguson

Ati: Wa:oki Indigenous Community Center Director: Melissa Faircloth
CEOD Representative: Brendan David-John

Mission Statement: The purpose of the Veterans Caucus is to improve the working, learning, and living environment for employee and student veterans; advocate for the mentoring of and transitional support for veterans returning to work and/or school; and recommend actions to improve the recruitment and retention of employee and student veterans.

Visit their website

Mission Statement: In the spirit of Ut Prosim, the Virginia Tech Women's Alliance champions an equitable and inclusive culture.

The Women's Alliance, in solidarity with caucuses and other university and community allies, provides the Virginia Tech community a forum to achieve shared goals and promote opportunities for underrepresented groups, which includes women of all identities by advancing:

  • Dialogue among the Women's Alliance and the university community
  • Campus services and programs that address the needs of women
  • Efforts to remove systemic barriers to advancement
  • Equity in hiring, promotion, and compensation
  • Mentoring and networking opportunities
  • Access to quality childcare for university employees and students
  • Positive and inclusive campus climate
  • Identification and resolution of campus equity and safety issues

Contact: Erica Cooper 

Visit their website

If you are a member of a caucus and need to have information updated on this page, contact the HR service center and have a ticket opened for HR Communications.

Shared Governance at Virginia Tech

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