Office of Information Technology names William H. Sanders director of technology in the arts
William H. Sanders has been named director of technology for the arts for the Learning Technologies Division of the Office of Information Technology at Virginia Tech.
In his new role, Sanders will work in close collaboration with the university’s new Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech and the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts. Sanders's objectives are to further strengthen the bonds among the arts and education and to use the university’s technological strengths and broadband networking capabilities to collaborate with Virginia PK-12 grade teachers, schools, other educational institutions; museums; and other partners as part of a 21st century learning community.
Since 2008, Sanders has served as interim director of the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts and as director of the Arts Initiative.
The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, the cornerstone project of the Arts Initiative, will open in 2013 at the corner of Main Street and Alumni Mall. In addition to housing the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts, the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech will feature a 1,260-seat, state-of-the-art performance hall for music, theatre, and dance performances and visual arts galleries for traditional, digital, and new media exhibitions.
“It’s important as we break ground on the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech that we continue — at the university, with our partners in PK-12 education, and in the communities we serve — to develop the kinds of collaborations and programs the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts is intended to enable,” said Ruth Waalkes, executive director for the Center for the Arts.
In its planned space in the $89 million Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts will provide an applied research environment for faculty, artists and educators. Under Sanders's leadership, the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts has already begun serving PK-12 education by engaging teachers and other school personnel in the development of models and programs through the integration of the arts and technology to enhance the development of critical thinking skills and the teaching of math, science, social studies, and language arts.
A resident of Blacksburg, Sanders received a doctorate in education technology and a master's in music education from the University of Illinois and a bachelor's in music education from the University of Richmond. He has served in information technology at Virginia Tech since 1986 in a variety of roles, most recently as director of the Blacksburg Electronic Village. He is vice chair of the board of directors of Mental Health America New River Valley, serves on the investment committee of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, and is a community advisor to Depaul Community Resources.
