Newsletter - September 2024

From the Desk of Associate Dean of Transformation, Janice Branch Hall

Colleagues, I hope you are well and having a great start to the fall semester.  At last week’s townhall meeting, Dean Sarker announced the evolution of Pamplin’s DEIB operations with the formation of the Office of Transformation. I am writing to provide further context about this exciting new chapter.  

Over the last five years during my time serving Pamplin, I have observed several cultural shifts - from leadership transitions including the arrival of our new dean, to external factors such as growing enrollments, new facilities, and evolving people trends. These shifts have informed the direction of our work and, whether we feel ready or not, we find ourselves in unprecedented times. However, I believe this is a moment for, alignment, that positions us to strengthen our 3R philosophy – Resources, Reputation, Responsibility – while working toward our vision of Next-Gen Pamplin.

A recurring theme that ties our philosophy and vision together is – Responsibility. To achieve our 3Rs and Next-Gen Pamplin, Dean Sarker has inspired our #OnePamplin value, a guiding principle that will inform our responsibility to manage both our individual and collective actions, behaviors, and interactions with one another in the work ahead. This is not about simply managing change; change management is a temporary solution to the deeper cultural issues that could hinder our progress. If we reduce our work and our interactions to past encounters or if we lack the humility and drive to step outside our comfort zones, we run the risk of failing to uphold our commitment to stewardship, and the world-class we seek. 

Given the size, scope, and depth of Next-Gen Pamplin, we must expand our perspectives beyond the past and the present to intentionally and strategically co-create our culture of the future. This is the heart of transformation - a movement to inspire people excellence. 

In conjunction with our strategic planning efforts, the Office of Transformation will be engaging with you in the months ahead to collaboratively define #OnePamplin and shape the people strategies that will foster this shared culture. Your involvement will give you a sense of ownership in constructing the future we envision. At the same time, we will continue to partner with you in the pursuit of inclusive excellence to further integrate data-driven DEIB practices that expand access to opportunities and affirm the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of Pamplin community members. 

Each of you is a valued and essential part of this journey. The future of Pamplin students and our global stakeholders need you! Committing to #OnePamplin is not a fleeting dream, rather, it is a call to action. Together we aim to realize the incredible possibilities that emerge when we move forward with shared conviction. 

Warm regards, 
Janice Branch Hall 
Associate Dean of Transformation 

Announcements

Delta Sigma Pi Coffee Chat Sign-Ups

Delta Sigma Pi is a co-ed professional business fraternity dedicated to shaping future business leaders through a mix of rigorous professional development and memorable social experiences. To learn more, sign up for a coffee chat with a brother. Space is limited, so register now! We look forward to meeting you.

DSP Coffee Chat Sign Ups

If you have any questions, please contact vtdeltasigmapi@gmail.com.

Responsible Research Video Lecture Now Available!

Dr. Kevin D. Thomas, co-founder of the Race in the Marketplace (RIM) Research Network, presented “Beyond the Bottom Line: Business Research as a Liberatory Practice” during Pamplin’s Undergraduate Research Summit in April. The video lecture is available to all community members for leadership and professional development purposes and offers enhanced learning content for students in and outside of the classroom. To request access, please email A'me Dalton at ababer3@vt.edu. For more information, view the article here.

Join Pamplin’s 2025 Women’s Summit Steering Committee

The Office of Transformation (formerly the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) is excited to announce the formation of the 2025 Women's Summit Steering Committee! This esteemed group will play a key role in shaping the summit to be held in March. We hope to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise to create an empowering and impactful event that is inclusive of both Blacksburg and Northern Virginia Center colleagues. If you're interested in contributing or learning more, please reach out to A'me Dalton at ababer3@vt.edu. 

Day for Data Symposium — Monday, November 4, 2024 at the Moss Arts Center

Please join us for the third annual Day for Data Symposium, hosted by the Center for Business Analytics on behalf of Pamplin College of Business! This one-day conference is designed to give students real-world insights into the applications of data analytics, provide companies with a unique opportunity for recruitment, and connect faculty with top industry stakeholders to foster research partnerships. Topics will include business analytics, artificial intelligence, data governance, and more. Professors, please consider offering extra credit to students who attend and complete an assignment related to the conference. To register and see the most updated agenda, visit the event webpage here. For questions or inquiries, please contact Luke Williams.

Updated ADA Routes and Accessibility Information

As ongoing construction and renovations continue on campus, we want to ensure that everyone can navigate these changes smoothly. This serves as a friendly reminder to utilize the updated resources available for ADA routes and accessibility information.

1. Interactive Campus Map: An updated online interactive map provides detailed information on accessible routes, including pathway closures and alternative routes around them. You can access the map here: Virginia Tech Interactive Campus Map.
2. Campus Closure Map: For information on current parking lot, road, and pathway closures, please refer to the campus closure map. This resource will help you identify areas that are temporarily closed for various reasons. Access the map here: Campus Closure Map.
3. Office for Equity and Accessibility: For additional details on ADA and accessibility services, please visit Virginia Tech's Office for Equity and Accessibility. This page offers comprehensive information and resources to support your needs. Visit the office here: Office for Equity and Accessibility.

Employee Spotlight

Each employee below has been submitted for this recognition by their colleagues. 

Submit staff and faculty for upcoming issues here: tbprice@vt.edu

Upcoming Events

For more events, check out https://pamplin.vt.edu/events.html