Passion for rural development fuels alumnus' work with USDA

Basil Gooden ’88 believes that giving back to others is a responsibility.

The Hokie alumnus says he embodies the university motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), every day.

“I took that to heart when I was there as a student,” said Gooden, who majored in political science. “It was not just a motto, but a way of life.”

Earlier this year, Gooden was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as under secretary for Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“It is exciting and thrilling, but [I have] an obligation to make sure that I bring a level of seriousness and passion to this position,” he said.

Gooden has worked in public service for a long time. He was secretary of agriculture in former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s administration. After that, he was named director of state operations for Rural Development.

Gooden was raised on a farm in Buckingham County, Virginia, where his passion for rural development ignited. His family raises black angus beef cattle. Because of his upbringing, Gooden said he is able to understand and connect with the issues that rural areas face.

Gooden talked about his new role and his passion for public service.

What do you do in your new role as under secretary?

I get the honor of leading an agency of about 5,000 people that is focused on bringing opportunities to rural America. We have a portfolio of about $60 billion, of which we allocate about $30 billion annually in funding. Whether it is funding safe, affordable, clean housing, clean water, [or] community facilities like hospitals, schools, libraries, and public safety buildings – we do a lot to make rural areas very appealing places to live, grow, raise a family, and do work. I like to say that I focus on rural livability, which is making sure that rural areas are places people want to come back to and remain throughout their career and family life.

What do you hope to achieve during your role?

I want to continue to impact and change the lives, families, and communities in rural America. I want to make sure that rural America is not left behind and they are right on the cutting edge of everything [that is] available to other areas of the United States. I want [the people in rural communities] to have every opportunity to be successful in their life, career, family, and community.

Why did you choose to work in rural development?

When my father took me to Virginia Tech to drop me off when I was 17 years old, he told me three things: Get good grades, stay out of trouble, and, "When you finish your educational experience, don’t come back to the country because there are no opportunities or jobs here."

He said to go to where the jobs are. That stunned me as a freshman and ignited something in me to try to change that narrative. I don’t want any other parents to tell their kid to not come back to their hometown.

That’s what we are passionate about – changing the narrative to make sure there are opportunities.

Why is public service important to you?

I grew up in a time in Virginia where I could see that some public servers wanted inclusion and everybody treated fairly, and some were working for exclusion. They didn’t want people going to school together. I saw the ones that were trying to do the right thing and the difference that they made in my life and my community. I was attracted to that. I saw how public service can make a difference in the opportunities that folks have to achieve things in life. So I wanted to be a part of making a difference and providing opportunities.

What advice would you give Virginia Tech students who want to go into public service?

I would encourage people to look at public service because you can make a difference. Sometimes people don’t fully understand how [public servants] can change the trajectory of people’s lives. You implement how government works in your areas and for the people that you care about. That’s what I get excited about – moving the needle, changing things. There are many opportunities where people can serve their communities. I wholeheartedly have seen how I am able to give back and support rural America, and I want everybody to be a part of it.

Written by Brooke Van Beuren, an intern for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences