Monthly Pamplin Updates - March 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education, and Assistant Professor of Real Estate Dr. Jeffrey Robert, alongside Director of Information Technology for the Pamplin College of Business, Jim Dickhans, is leveraging it to enhance student preparation for real-world real estate challenges. Their innovative approach allows students in REAL 1024 (The REAL DEAL!) to engage with AI-powered personas, simulating town hall discussions on community development—an experience previously impossible to replicate in the classroom. Read more

Virginia Tech student Zhoumaocuo, who goes by Pema, arrived in Blacksburg from Tibet in the fall of 2023, feeling as if she had landed in a whole new world.

A Marketing major minoring in International Business in the Pamplin College of Business, Pema was overwhelmed by campus life in a new country. She enrolled in the college’s Global Mentor Program, where she was paired with another student who helped her get acclimated to college life in Blacksburg. Read more

• Dr. Jason Deane, Academic Director for CBA and Associate Professor in the BIT Department, is President Elect of the Decision Sciences Institute (DSI). DSI is a professional organization for researchers, faculty, students, and practitioners across multiple disciplines within the field of Decision Sciences. DSI creates opportunities to connect with others in the field, and promotes the research and instruction of decision sciences.
  

• The BIT Department recently formed the first cohort of the Business Information Technology Student Advisory Board (BITSAB) consisting of 12 BIT students who were chosen out of 97 applicants. Members of BITSAB will provide a student perspective on the department and will help with outreach to current and future BIT students. This initial cohort of BITSAB members will lay the foundation for what this organization will look like in future years by developing a mission statement and procedure for selecting future members. Visit the link below to learn more about our BITSAB members: https://bit.vt.edu/alumni/student-advisory-board.html

Marketing for Social Impact: Customer Driven Accessible AI Product Design at the Intersection of Business and Technology

How can we develop and create AI-powered navigation products that empower individuals with vision impairment? How do we market these products and make them accessible while creating both economic and societal impact? The AI-Accessibility project, funded by ICAT’s Major SEAD grant, brings together faculty and student researchers from architecture, computer science, human sciences, and marketing, to design and test new building technologies which aim to maximize the functionality of artificially intelligent navigation aids for individuals with disability. The project was part of Pamplin’s interactive exhibits showcased in Academic Building One during the Innovation Campus Grand Opening on February 28 and will be featured in an exhibition in the Cube on April 9th, 2025.  

Coming Up: Virginia Tech Sales Center’s “Battle in Blacksburg” Is Its Most Competitive Yet  

The Virginia Tech Sales Center will host the Battle in Blacksburg (BIB) collegiate sales competition on March 28th-29th, This year, in addition to James Mason University, Virginia Tech will face off against which, traditionally between VT and JMU, has expanded this year to include Old Dominion University,Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Catholic University of America. Students will compete in a role-play sales scenario and a speed-sell competition sponsored by CoStar (Homes.com), and put classroom skills like discovery, negotiation, and closing into action via real sales scenarios. This competition attracts numerous business-to-business sales companies recruiting for sales positions, offering competitors the opportunity to meet them at two separate events. The Sales Education Foundation has recognized the VT Sales Center as one of the best sales schools in America for the past eight years, for its commitment to the sales profession and providing students invaluable practice within the industry. 

Empowering Students for Success: A Look into Marketing’s “Personal Well-being and Professional Success” Course  

Piloted in 2020 with only seven students, the “Personal Well-being and Professional Success” (MKTG 3134) class has grown into one of the most sought-after course offerings, with over 100 students in the 2025 spring semester. Taught by Professor Vicky Dierckx and Ms. Carolyn Kogan, the curriculum focuses on topics of well-being, such as personal relationships, gratitude, money, and stress management. A core component of the class is the "I WILL" statement, a goal-setting exercise where students reflect on their values, strengths, and dreams to set personal goals. These public goal-statements add an element of accountability to help motivate students to achieve their dreams and are featured here. 

Get Involved: Expand Your Horizons in Marketing with AMA

The American Marketing Association (AMA) at Virginia Tech is a student-run organization dedicated to fostering professional development, networking, and hands-on marketing experience for students interested in the field. As a collegiate chapter of the national AMA, the organization provides members with opportunities to engage in case competitions, attend industry conferences, and connect with marketing professionals through guest speakers and networking events. Additionally, AMA at Virginia Tech supports experiential learning by collaborating with local businesses and nonprofits on marketing projects, helping students apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. The organization welcomes students from all majors who have an interest in marketing, branding, and business strategy. For additional information, AMA @ VT or visit their website @ amavt.com.  

Feiertag HTM Faculty Member Candace Fitch Featured on Cvent’s "Great Events" Podcast

The Feiertag Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM) program celebrates faculty member Candace Fitch, along with Alumnus and Advisory Board Member Carrie Davenport, CMP-Fellow, CEM, CSEP, for their episode on Cvent’s acclaimed podcast, From Classroom to Career: Event Education That Works.

Their discussion addressed a crucial shift in how event professionals are perceived. Rather than being seen as simply “planners,” Fitch and Davenport emphasized the strategic and multifaceted nature of the industry—one that blends marketing, experience design, logistics, and business acumen.

“Our conversation aimed to challenge misconceptions about event management and highlight the incredible career opportunities in this field,” said Fitch. “The events industry is more dynamic and impactful than ever, and we want to inspire students and professionals alike.”

Listeners can tune in to the podcast episode and gain valuable insights on careers in event management, marketing, and beyond. Check out the episode here: https://lnkd.in/e6MDukbA.

Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Leaders Advocate for Industry at VRLTA Legislative Day

Virginia hospitality and tourism professionals gathered at the General Assembly in Richmond, VA, for the VRLTA Legislative Day, an event dedicated to advocating for legislation that impacts the hospitality and tourism industries. The event brought together industry leaders, educators, and students to engage directly with state legislators on critical issues facing Virginia’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Dr. Kristin Lamoureux, Professor Candace Fitch and five MSBA-HTM students, joined a delegation of industry representatives, including Eric Terry, Catherine Fox, Catherine Bolling, Kurt Krause, and Brian Wells, who also serve on the HTM Advisory Board. Their collective presence emphasized the importance of legislative support for the continued growth and success of Virginia’s hospitality industry.

With tourism contributing billions of dollars annually and supporting thousands of jobs across the state, advocates stressed the need for continued investment and policy support. The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) continues to be a driving force in shaping legislative policies that impact hospitality and tourism businesses across the state.

Tara Warner Joins APEX Center as Mentor for Student Entrepreneurs

The APEX Center for Entrepreneurs at Virginia Tech proudly welcomes Professor Tarah Warner, MBA, FMP, CMP as the newest Mentor, where she will leverage her expertise to guide and support student entrepreneurs in developing and scaling their ventures. As a successful entrepreneur and founder of two event management companies, Warner brings firsthand experience in business development, operations, and strategic growth to help aspiring founders navigate the complexities of launching and sustaining a vision.

The APEX Center for Entrepreneurs connects experienced entrepreneurs with student-led startups, offering mentorship to navigate the challenges of early-stage venture development. Warner’s expertise in business ownership and event management positions her as a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs at Virginia Tech.

"I am honored to be a Mentor," said Warner. "As an entrepreneur, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a business—especially in those exciting early stages, which have always been my favorite part of the journey. I look forward to helping students navigate this critical phase and transform their ideas into successful ventures."

For more information about the APEX Center for Entrepreneurs and its programs, visit https://apex.vt.edu/.

TLC Faculty Group

The Teaching and Learning in the Classroom (TLC) Roundtable sessions continue for Spring 2025. The last two sessions discussed using Generative AI for course prep and student assignments as well as integrating Certificates and Badges in class assignments. Resources for each topic as well as the updated calendar of upcoming TLC Roundtable topics can be found in the TLC Teams Site (click to join!). 

Pamplin International Programs

• The Spring Study Abroad Poster Showcase will be on March 31 and the Study Abroad Fair will be on April 2, both in the Pamplin Atrium from 10:00AM-2:00PM.
• The deadline for submitting proposals for faculty-led study abroad programs for Winter 25/26 or Spring 26 is March 15. Submit all proposals to Pamplin International Programs office for review.
• Virtual Global Collaboration Faculty Cohort Program: GEO, CETL, and TLOS are launching a cohort-based program for faculty who are ready to redesign courses with significant Virtual Global Collaboration learning experiences, including Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). Apply Online

Pamplin Career Services

• Pamplin Career Events can be found on our calendar.
• Apply to be a Virginia Tech Career Champion for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Abbie Bond, Pamplin Career Services Coordinator, has been nominated for the 2024 McComas Staff Leadership Award. Congratulations Abbie and thank you for your service and leadership in Pamplin Career Services!

Undergraduate Events

Please save the date for the following undergraduate celebratory events. Faculty are invited to ALL of these events! We strongly encourage you to join your students in celebrating their accomplishments!

• Students of Distinction Ceremony, March 30 (5:00-7:00 PM, Latham Ballroom)
• Senior Celebration, May 4 (4:00-6:00 PM, Latham Ballroom and Inn Courtyard)
• Spring 2025 Pamplin Commencement Ceremony May 15 (at 12:00 and at 4:00 PM, Lane Stadium)