Suchitra Samanta honored with emerita status
Suchitra Samanta, collegiate associate professor of sociology in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of collegiate associate professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emerita title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 18 years, Samanta made significant contributions to the fields of women’s and gender studies as well as Asian American studies through her transdisciplinary work, which examines the human aspects of religion and gender construction among South Asian women. She published one book, two creative anthologies, and numerous research articles, poems, and works of creative fiction.
In the classroom, Samanta taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in women’s and gender studies as well as sociology, including a study abroad program in India, “Gender and Asian America,” and courses developed in collaboration with the Department of Religion and Culture.
In addition, she advised and supported Virginia Tech’s Indian Students Association and developed new courses on the Asian-American experience in response to student demand. She also organized and led numerous campus and community outreach programs.
Her teaching was recognized with the 2012 Sporn Award for Excellence in Teaching Introductory Subjects, the William E. Snizek Undergraduate Teaching Award in the Department of Sociology, and many thank you notes from former students.
In 2021, she received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Virginia Tech Indian Students Association for services to the Virginia Tech and Indian community. She was also the recipient of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences’ Diversity Award.
Samanta received two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
