Jane Swan, a cornerstone of Outreach and International Affairs, to retire after 31 years
Her grandfather and uncle were Hokies. Two siblings and several cousins are Hokies. Her husband and son are, too.
It’s fair to say that Jane Swan — who herself earned three degrees from Virginia Tech and is retiring this fall after over 31 years at the university, most of those with Outreach and International Affairs — knows a thing or two about the Hokie Spirit.
“Jane Swan embodies the very best of what it means to be a Hokie,” said Guru Ghosh, vice president for outreach and international affairs. “Her unwavering commitment to our mission has been the cornerstone of our division’s success. Her legacy is not just in the budgets she’s balanced or the many programs she’s helped launch, but in the countless lives she’s touched. As she retires, we’re not just celebrating a colleague, but a true embodiment of Ut Prosim who has helped countless Hokies serve and engage with the world.”
Swan came to Blacksburg as a French and accounting major but found her calling in finance. She pointed to a roster of professors in the Pamplin College of Business — including the legendary Art Keown — for helping her discover where her true passion lay.
“Something about finance just clicked with me. It made sense,” she said. “It combined my creative side and ability to think past debits and credits and balance sheets into how does an institution of this size actually function.”
Swan, who would go on to earn an MBA and a doctorate in international business, started in the university’s finance and budget offices. But she quickly found her home in what is known today as Outreach and International Affairs. As assistant vice president for resources and planning, she was responsible for the administration of financial and human resources for the division’s diverse portfolio of units and projects.
Over the years, Swan’s role grew along with the division itself. She played a crucial part in expanding Virginia Tech’s global reach, managing complex budgets for international programs and facilitating partnerships with universities worldwide.
“For the past three decades Jane has been a great colleague and partner in helping advance Virginia Tech’s presence across the commonwealth and the globe,” said John Dooley, who served as vice president from 2003-12. “Her dedication to the university and her diligence have been instrumental in making Virginia Tech one of the premier land-grant universities in the country.”
Swan said the work was meaningful but often challenging because much of what she was tasked with doing had no precedent at the university. “I got to sort of create structures, mechanisms, payment processes — hiring people and putting things together that didn’t exist before. And there weren’t any templates for doing this,” she said. “I don’t like being bored, and in this job I certainly haven’t been.”
Scott Farmer, director of Outreach Information Services, has worked with Swan since she joined the division. “During our time working together, we have worked together to solve many challenges, and I have valued her insight and wisdom throughout the years. Outreach will not be the same without her. She is someone I greatly value as a colleague and treasure as a friend.”
Having served on countless hiring committees through the years, Swan’s friendly face was often one of the first that new employees would see at the university. Her welcoming demeanor and willingness to guide newcomers through the intricacies of university operations made her an unofficial ambassador for Virginia Tech’s culture of collegiality and service.
Ken Smith, chief operating officer of the Virginia Tech Foundation and vice provost emeritus of academic resource management, vividly remembers his first day on the job and Swan’s pivotal role in it. “On my very first day of work, Jane was one of the kind people who sat with ‘the new guy’ and explained to me something called ‘central fixed costs,’” Smith recalled. “I was dense but she was patient and I started the learning process. More than finance, Jane demonstrated to me that my new employer valued education — not only in the classroom but for everyone, even its new employees.”
Susan E. Short, associate vice president for engagement with Outreach and International Affairs, credits Swan for her own journey at the university. “It’s all her fault that I am at Virginia Tech,” Short joked affectionately. “I first met Jane in 2004 when I was invited to campus to interview for the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center director position. Jane was a welcoming member and OIA champion on the committee. I left that interview thinking these are the kinds of people I want to serve with. In the time since, Jane has been a constant — a trusted advisor and mentor.”
Curtis Mabry, assistant vice president for consulting and strategic services in human resources, said Swan was one of the first leaders he came in contact with. “She was open, honest, straightforward, and professional. This helped reassure me that I had made a good career move,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Jane on many occasions, and I’ve always appreciated her knowledge and wisdom about Virginia Tech.”
Swan’s years of service to the university “showcase the potential to build a long and fulfilling career at Virginia Tech and to put Ut Prosim in action,” said Bryan Garey, vice president for human resources. “In her last role, she was a loyal and dedicated colleague to Outreach and International Affairs, and we sincerely appreciate her many contributions.”
As Swan prepares to close this chapter of her professional life, her impact on Virginia Tech and Outreach and International Affairs extends far beyond the balance sheets and budgets she managed. Her career embodies the very essence of the Hokie Spirit — a commitment to service, innovation, and global engagement that has helped shape the university’s outreach efforts for over three decades.
“As we bid farewell to Jane, we’re not just celebrating her past contributions, but looking forward to how her work will continue to shape our future,” Ghosh said. “Jane’s strategic vision and financial acumen have laid a solid groundwork for all our work. Her career is a shining example of how one Hokie can make a lasting difference, and we are profoundly grateful for her service.”
