VT School of Education

𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. Hannah Racey, first-gen student & Dan Fleming Scholarship recipient, says scholarships made her degree possible. Help future educators this Giving Day - Feb. 18–19 (noon–noon)

ONE WEEK TO GO! 👏 Feb. 18-19 is your chance to support what you love most at Virginia Tech. #VTGivingDay is almost here. 💪 See you there ➡️ give.vt.edu/vtgivingday2026

Big Hokie congrats to Dr. Tracey Cameron (Ph.D. ’VT) on being named an @ACPA Diamond Honoree 🎓🧡 She credits her Hokie mentors for shaping how she leads and serves. #HokieNation #StudentAffairs

The secret behind Giving Day’s success? Hokies like you. 🫵🧡 Step up and be a leader by become a #VTGivingDay ambassador today to unlock exclusive gear! 🔗: give.vt.edu/vtgivingday2026

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Hannah Bayne of @VT_SOE Her research explores: 🧠 Empathy through a cultural lens 🤝 Integrating spirituality into behavioral health care Recently honored with the @ACACounselors Humanitarian & Caring Person Award 👏 #VTFaculty #CounselingResearch

🎉 SOE alum spotlight Dr. Jeffrey O. Smith (Ed.D. ’05) has been nominated to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Education. With decades of leadership in public education, he embodies Ut Prosim—That I May Serve. We’re proud to call him a #VTSOE alum.

We’re starting the new year with gratitude for the educators, counselors, and administrators serving Virginia and beyond. Your work strengthens communities and shapes lives every day. 💬 Reply or tag an educator you’re thankful for as we begin the year.

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Darnell Carter (Ed.D. ’16) From his time at @virginia_tech to being superintendent of Brunswick County Public Schools, Dr. Carter is leading with purpose. His advice? Set goals—and build a schedule that supports balance and focus. #VTAlumni

𝑼𝑻 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑺𝑰𝑴 𝑰𝑵 𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 Thanks to a $1.4M @HRSAgov grant, our counselor ed program is making strides to strengthen the youth mental health workforce in underserved areas — where care is needed most. news.vt.edu/articles/2025/… #VirginiaTech #HRSA #MentalHealth

🧠 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Matthew Fullen His @MedicareGov ACCESS research examines the impact of newly eligible providers, including 74,000+ counselors. He’s also piloting BE WELL, seniors in meal programs across the New River Valley. #MentalHealthMatters #VirginiaTech

🎓 Student Spotlight: Annie Shaba Annie is inspired by her advisor, Dr. Amy Price Azano, and was recently selected as an associate member of the Academy for Outstanding Graduate Pedagogy (AOGP)! Learn more ➡️ aogp.graduateschool.vt.edu/About.html #StudentSpotlight #VTGradLife #RuralEducation

Dr. Fortune empowers students to discover their strengths, set goals, and own their academic and career journey. Thank you, Donna, for all your support and dedication to student success! #HokieStrong #VTAdvising #HigherEd

#RuralMentalHealth #SchoolCounseling

Dr. Sarah Henry is amplifying rural voices in school counseling, mapping how counselors in Western VA & the Northern Neck partner with communities to meet students’ needs. With a $1.4M HRSA grant, she’s helping shape the future of youth mental health.

🎓 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘆, 𝗣𝗵.𝗗. ’𝟮𝟰 One of our grads making waves in counseling + education! His research explores how race, ethnicity & culture shape counseling — and how #eSports can help youth build career skills. #HokieAlumni

🎓 Student Spotlight: Jordan Crockett Jordan, a senior in Elementary Education (’26), says Dr. Rachelle Kuehl’s “energy and light” have inspired her. She also received the Eva Wessells Payne Grant-Aid Scholarship, recognizing women educators and excellence in education. 👏

🎉 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Laura Welfare, professor of counselor education at @virginia_tech! She’s part of a team awarded an @HRSAgov grant to train more counselors serving youth in rural & underserved areas. We’re so grateful for all you do, Dr. Welfare! #MentalHealth #VTedu

🎓 Congrats to SOE alum Dr. Nick Nycum (Ed.D. ’22, @virginia_tech) on being named Superintendent of Highland County Public Schools! "[Dr. Carol Mullen's] passion ... throughout my dissertation process was both inspiring and transformative."👏 #HokiePride #VTAlumni

Everyone say hello to one of our alumna, and the BRAND NEW superintendent of Charles City County Public Schools - 𝘿𝙧. 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙊𝙩𝙚𝙮! Dr. Otey, we wish you nothing but the best of luck as you start this new professional chapter! wric.com/news/local-new…

Help us wish Dr. Dana Robertson luck as he starts his term as president of the International Literacy Association! ILA helps to bridge the gap between research and practice to improve the quality of literacy learning worldwide. You can learn more here: literacyworldwide.org