Residence halls serve varied communities in summer
A student working the Student Affairs Housing Services front desk helps a guest to campus check in for their conference stay. Photo by Alexa Shockley for Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech’s residence halls don’t rest when the academic year ends. Each summer, they transform into dynamic spaces hosting thousands of campers, conference attendees, and scholars. From middle school students experiencing campus life for the first time to researchers exchanging their newest ideas, these buildings remain hubs of learning and connection year-round.
The Conference and Guest Services (CGS) team within Student Affairs Housing Services oversees these experiences. They handle scheduling, dining, housing, and logistics so program sponsors can focus on their agendas. Each sponsor is assigned a dedicated conference liaison — a direct point of contact who coordinates everything from room assignments and dining cards to classroom and field reservations.
Kim Lester, director of pre-college programs for the College of Engineering, relies on CGS for seven summer camps serving about 750 students annually.
"Without Conference and Guest Services, our camps simply wouldn’t be possible,” said Lester. “They handle all the behind-the-scenes logistics like room assignments, managing late check-ins or early check-outs, and the occasional unexpected issues. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Gen Garson, a former Virginia Tech student who worked as a conference liaison and now serves as overnight operations coordinator for Housing Services, says CGS acts as a central resource for camp directors navigating campus.
“We streamline communication, providing sponsors with a direct link to everything on campus,” Garson said. "They know we're their one point of contact to handle whatever they need.”
CGS supports internal and external partners, from local athletic camps to national organizations like Future Farmers of America. Approximately 8,000 guests stayed on campus in summer 2024, and CGS is prepared for more growth.
Darryl McCallum, assistant director for conference services and operations, encourages anyone interested in hosting a summer 2025 program to contact the Conference and Guest Services team early in the planning process.
“If you’re still exploring ideas or have hosted guests before, it's worth it to reach out and ask what we can do for you," said McCallum. “The convenience and financial savings make our services outweigh any kind of off-campus housing and dining option. You don’t have to worry about transportation. You can eat, sleep, and host your programs in our facilities.”
The on-campus experience benefits groups beyond their logistics.
"A lot of students don’t believe that it’s even possible for them to attend college,” Lester said. “When you can get them physically on campus, that’s when they start to believe in the possibility. You don’t get that kind of immersive experience anywhere else.”
Garson pointed out the collaborative impacts of a campus experience. "I’ve seen academic groups integrate and connect here," she said. "They live where they research, and they become a community."