Newsletter - October 2024
October 15, 2024
From the Desk of Dean Sarker
Work-Ready AI Talent: Panel Discussion at the Atlas of AI Conference
How will AI change our workforce? What jobs will arise and fall? These are among the questions explored at the recent Atlas of AI Summit by a panel moderated by Dean Saonee Sarker. On the panel were: Christina McClung, Senior Vice President, HR, Capital One; Ed Bowen, Head of AI Center of Excellence, Deloitte; Anne Kress, President, Northern Virginia Community Colleges; Eui-Hong (Sam) Han, Head of Data and AI, Washington Post.
Announcements
Call for Proposals
Fall 2024
Deadline: October 18, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.
Pamplin College of Business is pleased to announce a call for proposals focused on Security, Privacy, and Trust. Research in this area spans all disciplines within Pamplin and intersects with multiple research domains.
Examples of research topics under Security, Privacy, and Trust include:
- Methodologies for privacy protection
- Understanding data breach economics
- Building resilience against attacks
- Consumer trust and privacy
- Legal and ethical issues
Funding Information:
Funding may be used to support research aimed at publication in a specific journal or to assist in writing a grant proposal for additional funding. This call for proposals offers up to $20,000 in total funding, which may be allocated to multiple research projects or to one cross-disciplinary project. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, hourly wages (excluding salaries), data acquisition, surveys, grant writing assistance, and submission fees.
Submission Instructions:
To apply, email Shea Walters at sheasw@vt.edu by 5:00 p.m. on October 18, 2024.
Questions?
For inquiries, please contact Dr. Tony Vance at anthonyvance@vt.edu.
Diverse Voices and Perspectives Lecture Series: Now Accepting Funding Applications
Virginia Tech's Diverse Voices and Perspectives Lecture Series (formerly the Women and Minority Artists and Scholars Lecture Series) is accepting applications for spring 2025. This program aims to increase the diversity of scholarly voices and artistic expressions by offering funding assistance to Virginia Tech departments and units.
Supported by Arts@VirginiaTech and the Office of the Provost, the series provides up to $750 to fund events that offer students the opportunity to engage with guest lecturers or artists from underrepresented communities. These events foster an inclusive, collaborative environment and promote exposure to successful women and minority role models.
Speakers from any discipline, gender, race, or ethnicity are welcome, with special encouragement for those whose work addresses race, gender, class, or international perspectives. Preference will be given to presentations with broad audience appeal.
Application Deadline: Friday, Nov. 1
Apply Online
Dr. Dustin Read reflects on annual seminar in France
For many, a trip to France represents a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering renowned cuisine, art, and fashion. For Dustin Read, the new head of the Blackwood Department of Real Estate, it is an annual tradition. Each year, he travels to the city of Lyon to lead a one-week seminar for students at ESDES, the business school of Lyon Catholic University.
Securitas LLP: Bridging Education with Real-World Cybersecurity Experience
Virginia Tech's new Cybersecurity Living-Learning Program (LLP), Securitas, launched in Fall 2024, connects students with industry professionals and provides a unique blend of academic and practical learning. Applications for current students are open from September 30 to November 22, 2024, with new student applications beginning in January 2025. For details, visit https://llp.vt.edu/apply.html.
Employee Spotlight
Each employee below has been submitted for this recognition by their colleagues.
Pamplin Faculty Showcase Global and Interdisciplinary Impact in Advancing Academia and International Education
Mahmood Khan, Ph.D., professor in Pamplin’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism was invited by Aligarh Muslim University, a Central Government university in Aligarh, India, to serve on doctoral committees in the Department of Commerce. The two Ph.D. dissertations under review focused on the exploration of Delhi as a cultural heritage destination and the development of heritage tourism in the capital city.
Additionally, Khan contributed to the Fulbright U.S. Student Scholarship program by serving on a Virginia Tech committee tasked with interviewing applicants for this prestigious U.S. Department of State program. Graduate and senior students who were shortlisted were interviewed as part of the final selection process and preparation of dossiers for international study opportunities.
Thank you for a Successful Business Horizons Event
Thank you to all the faculty and staff that supported this fall’s Business Horizons Career Fair and surrounding events. Pamplin Career Services and the Business Horizons student team welcomed 140 companies and 3500 students to the 2-day career fair! Additional firms and students were hosted at supporting events throughout the week.
Please save the date for Spring Business Horizons, to be held on Thursday, February 6.
Auf Wiedersehen to German Fulbright Students
After three enriching weeks at Virginia Tech, a new cohort of German Fulbright students has concluded their stay.
From August to September, Pamplin International Programs, in collaboration with the Department of Management and the Apex Center for Entrepreneurs, hosted the German Fulbright Summer Institute: Leaders in Entrepreneurship. The program featured an academic curriculum centered on entrepreneurship, alongside a range of experiential co-curricular and cultural activities. Pamplin Global Mentors played a key role, providing peer support and fostering connections with the German students.
Submit staff and faculty for upcoming issues here: tbprice@vt.edu
Upcoming Events
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.
Heartland Heros a Veterans Day Tribute
November 11 at 4:00pm
Pamplin 1045 | Streaming Online
Honoring our veteran service members and families, join us for Pamplin’s Veterans Day tribute, including an exclusive screening of PBS’ docu-series, “LIFE IN THHE HEARTLAND”, featuring the inspiring story of Samuel Kennedy, a Pamplin student veteran and president of Veterans@VT student organization.
Wellness Weekdays
We hope your semester is going well! Speaking of ‘well,’ we are happy to provide the below wellness sessions this month. Please join us in taking time for self-care, to self-reflect, and slow down during this very busy time.
- Digital Wellbeing: October 28, 11:00am-12:30pm; Pamplin 1028
- Pamplin Walking Wednesdays: October 16, 23, 30; 2:00-3:00pm; Pamplin Atrium
Reach out to cassey@vt.edu for additional information.
Save the Date: Pamplin Faculty/Staff End of Year Celebration
Thursday, December 5; 4-7 p.m.
University Club of Virginia Tech
West - End Zone Club
For more events, check out https://pamplin.vt.edu/events.html