LoMascolo, Dennis Smith named co-directors of Women's Center

Anna LoMascolo of Blacksburg, associate director for programming, and Christine Dennis Smith of Christiansburg, Va., associate director for counseling and advocacy, have both been promoted to co-director of Virginia Tech's Women's Center.

The two replace Ellen Plummer, assistant provost, who has been overseeing special institutional projects for Provost Mark McNamee for several years in addition to directing the Women’s Center. She will now work full-time in the Office of the Provost.

Dennis Smith, who will serve as co-director for services, will be responsible for the direction, administration, and supervision of services and advocacy for survivors of violence, as well as managing federal and state grants that support this work. In addition, she will supervise the Victim Services Outreach Coordinator, the Victim Advocate, and any positions providing SAFE services and advocacy.

As co-director for programming, LoMascolo will be responsible for the direction, administration, and supervision of the educational and outreach programs and activities that advance the mission of the center. She will provide leadership to outreach efforts and will supervise the volunteer and operations coordinator, the program coordinator, and the special projects coordinator.

“A recent comprehensive review confirmed that the Virginia Tech Women’s Center is an incredible asset to our campus and local communities,” said Karen Ely Sanders, associate vice president for academic supports services. “The center’s education, advocacy, counseling and outreach efforts are very strong and well-utilized. With Assistant Provost Ellen Plummer’s vision and the capable leadership of Christine Dennis Smith and Anna LoMascolo, I am confident that the center and its staff will continue to effectively serve both women and men.

LoMascolo has been a member of the Virginia Tech community since 1999, and has been associated with the Virginia Tech Women’s Center since 2002, serving as assistant and associate director for programming, victim services outreach coordinator, a graduate research assistant, and a volunteer. She has also held positions with Humboldt State University, the Humboldt County (Calif.) Health Department, MTV, and HBO.

She received her bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, and a master’s degree from Humboldt State University.

Dennis Smith has been associated with the Women’s Center since 2001, serving as assistant and associate director for counseling and advocacy and counseling and advocacy coordinator. She also served as an adult and family services clinician at New River Valley Community Services from 1999 to 2001.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.