Virginia Tech names its first deputy director of the Undergraduate Student Senate
Headshot portrait of Kat Nelson, deputy director of the Undergraduate Student Senate.
Kat Nelson will join the Office of Undergraduate Leadership and Governance as the inaugural deputy director of the Undergraduate Student Senate (USS) on Sept. 26. In this role, she will provide guidance to USS as it strives to be the national leader for collegiate student governance through impactful legislation, collaborative advocacy, and exemplary character.
“Virginia Tech is going to be at the forefront in the nation for student development,” she said.
Nelson said she was drawn to the Hokie Nation because of her shared values and passion for learning. She said working with students in governance is her “jam” and keeps her energized.
“I’m most excited about the students" in USS, she said. "They represent themselves fantastically and are excited about some strategic moves and making positive change on campus.”
Her hopes for this coming year are to cultivate strong relationships with the students involved in USS, increase awareness and engagement between the organization and student body, and “develop some fabulous strong leaders.”
The new deputy director joins Virginia Tech from Clarkson University, where she served as a coordinator for student life and advised the Student Association Executive Board and Senate. Previously, she served as a graduate assistant for Student Senate at Ohio University. In both roles, she oversaw elections, budget, and support of executive student leadership.
Nelson earned a Master of Education in college student personnel from Ohio University and a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in communications studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also received her associate degree and certificate of communications studies from Rochester Community and Technical College, which she said is important to share to normalize the many pathways into higher education.
A native of Rochester, Minnesota, Nelson enjoys watching national figure skating competitions, hiking, embroidery, thrifting, and exploring her local community. She is thrilled to be coming to the Blacksburg area and getting to know new people. She urges all Hokies to “please come say hi!” when her job officially starts Sept. 26. Her office will be in Suite 325 in Squires Student Center.
