Chelsea Haines named chief of staff for Student Affairs

Chelsea Haines has been named chief of staff for Student Affairs and officially stepped into her new role on July 25.

As chief of staff, Haines will serve as an information conduit for and extends the capacity of Frances Keene, vice president for Student Affairs. Haines also will lead projects that advance strategic priorities and initiatives on behalf of the division.

“I am thrilled to have Dr. Haines join the team. She brings an immense amount of experience working with students, faculty, and staff at Virginia Tech," Keene said. "Her commitment to students is evident in her work, and I know that her skills in business operations, outreach, and research will be invaluable to student affairs."

Haines has been part of the Virginia Tech community since 2013. She began her career at as the manager of academic affairs and business operations with the program in real estate, now the Blackwood Department of Real Estate in the Pamplin College of Business. While earning her doctorate, she served as a graduate assistant in Student Affairs Assessment and Professional Development. After earning her doctorate, she became the postdoctoral associate for outreach and engagement with the Center for Educational Networks and Impacts within the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology at Virginia Tech, prior to taking on her previous former role of associate director of broader impacts.

Haines was most recently named the Faculty Mentor of the Month by the Virginia Tech Graduate School in February for her work with graduate students, specifically those with disabilities and minoritized and marginalized students. Her student nominators appreciated her willingness to credit students’ contributions and to take the time to provide individualized mentoring and encouragement. She is also a recipient of the 2022 Alumni Award for Outreach Excellence - Team from the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, along with Lisa McNair and Phyllis Newbill.

“I am thrilled to return to Student Affairs for the opportunity to positively impact the entire student body at Virginia Tech,” said Haines. “I look forward to working with colleagues and students across campus to reduce barriers to and create pathways for student success.”

Haines earned a Ph.D. in higher education from Virginia Tech, an MBA from Lynchburg College, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Mars Hill College. She is also an affiliate faculty with the Department of Engineering Education and affiliate assistant professor of practice in the School of Education.