Virginia Tech has been named Engineering News-Record’s 2025 MidAtlantic Owner of the Year. Widely regarded as the authoritative source for news in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, this award highlights the university’s innovative use of its facilities function as a platform for student learning and cross-campus collaboration.

“Many projects within Virginia Tech’s capital construction project portfolio offer unique opportunities for teaching and learning,” said Dwyn Taylor, vice president for facilities. “We work hand-in-hand with our stakeholder team members and students to ensure our facilities optimize experiential learning during project delivery and beyond.”

The Division of Facilities’ ongoing partnership with the Myers-Lawson School of Construction exemplifies this effort. Throughout the construction process, students are immersed in real-world experiences that complement classroom education. Through internships, class projects, and research endeavors students are active contributors to the evolving campus landscape.

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Hitt Hall – a recently completed building that provides an expanded physical presence for the Myers-Lawson School of Construction as well as additional dining and academic spaces – embodies this collaborative model. The 100,000-gross-square-foot building includes the school’s two-story Procon Innovation Center designed for interdisciplinary student research projects, such as the effort to create affordable 3D printed houses, funded by a $1.1 million research grant from Virginia Housing. To ensure research such as this would be successful in the space, its creation process involved feedback from faculty, staff, and students to ensure it met both current educational goals and future flexibility needs.

“We work closely with academic units to design and create buildings that are educational tools themselves,” said Travis Jessee, assistant vice president for design and construction. “That dialogue strengthens the end product and enriches the student experience.”

Student learning at Virginia Tech extends far beyond the classroom and lab. The Division of Facilities regularly coordinates site visits for students in the College of Engineering; College of Architecture, Arts, and Design; College of Natural Resources and Environment; and beyond. These visits offer first-hand exposure to the development and management of large-scale infrastructure projects in a variety of fields such as construction and maintenance, energy and utilities, and urban forestry.

Students also actively contribute to environmental conservation efforts through the Green Request for Proposals program. This initiative invites students to develop and pitch ideas for projects that enhance environmental stewardship across campus. Past projects have included LED lighting retrofits, water refill stations, and expanded bicycle infrastructure.

Students use the rooftop of Durham Hall as a living lab to deepen their understanding of solar energy production with University Engineer Matt Stolte (at left) and members of the Office for Sustainability. Photo by Robert Worley for Virginia Tech.
University Building Official Chris Kiel (at center) discusses potential career paths in the AEC industry with students in the Integrated Leadership Studio. Photo by Meghan Marsh for Virginia Tech.

“Through its comprehensive approach to campus development, Virginia Tech has redefined the role of an owner in the construction process,” said Brian M. Kleiner, the Vorster-Kleiner Director of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction. “By fostering an environment where research, innovation, teaching, and practical construction activities intersect, the university has created a model for innovation and excellence. Together, we’ve transformed campus construction projects into dynamic learning and research opportunities that advance the construction industry and enrich the educational experience.”

The needs of users as well as drivers for the campus master plan – such as access for all – are also integrated throughout the Division of Facilities’ capital project process. Projects are shaped by stakeholder engagement to ensure buildings are welcoming, adaptable, and inclusive. This includes utilizing a community-of-practice approach to addressing accessibility upgrades across the Blacksburg campus. The Division of Facilities works closely with the Campus Accessibility Working Group to identify, collect, review, prioritize, and implement accessibility-related projects. Improvements to Americans for Disabilities Act compliance are a critical part of all new construction and renovation efforts, including but not limited to enhancements to building entrances, pedestrian paths, restrooms, and wayfinding systems. This user-focused design approach helps ensure the built environment meets the needs of the entire university community.

This integrated approach ensures that every building is not just a facility, but a reflection of Virginia Tech’s broader teaching and research mission.

“Through these partnerships, we’re cultivating the next generation of construction and design professionals,” said Kleiner. “They leave campus having already participated in the kinds of projects they’ll encounter in their careers.”

“This award is a recognition of our values in action,” said Jessee. “By putting students and collaboration at the center of our design and construction program, we’re building more than structures – we’re building a stronger Virginia Tech.”

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