Jill Sible to serve as Virginia Tech’s vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs
Jill Sible, associate vice provost for undergraduate education and director of the Academy for Experiential Learning at Virginia Tech, has been named the university’s next vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs, effective June 25.
As vice provost, Sible will work closely with college deans and associate deans to coordinate programs and services that meet the varying needs of the undergraduate student community. She will also establish and implement short and long-range strategic goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures; evaluate and monitor programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effect changes required for continuous improvement.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve our students and the Virginia Tech community in this new capacity,” said Sible. “As vice provost, I will continue to center our work around fostering academic success and well-being for all of our students. I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with in Undergraduate Academic Affairs and our many partners across campus.”
Since joining the university in 1998 as an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, where she is now a full professor, Sible has served in a number of academic, research, and leadership roles at Virginia Tech including associate dean for curriculum, instruction and advising in the College of Science from 2008-12 and co-chair of a Beyond Boundaries committee to develop strategies to bring experiential learning opportunities to every Virginia Tech student.
As associate dean in the College of Science, Sible spearheaded the design and construction of SCALE-UP classrooms and adoption of the associated active learning pedagogy. She has also led an innovative cell biology research program for more than a decade and has taught a variety of courses in cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, and cancer biology.
In her current role as associate vice provost, Sible oversees the Offices of General Education, First-Year Experiences, Undergraduate Research, and Academic Integrity. She helped lead the revision of Virginia Tech’s general education curriculum to be more integrated, outcomes-oriented, and infused with contemporary pedagogy and worked on the vision and programming for Virginia Tech’s new classroom and new undergraduate science laboratory buildings.
“Jill has long been a champion for active and engaged learning at Virginia Tech and has played an integral role in the development of programs and services for students across the campus,” said Executive Vice Provost Don Taylor. “I look forward to having her as a part of our provost’s office leadership team and working closely with her to continue bringing hands-on, student-focused experiential learning opportunities to every Virginia Tech undergraduate student.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the university’s shift to online instruction and engagement, Sible provided strong and thoughtful leadership for the VTBound program, which offered a fully remote curriculum to over 80 international first-year students who could not come to campus. She also led a community of practice to ensure safe and engaging laboratory experiences throughout the pandemic.
Sible’s strengths as a researcher have led over $10 million in sponsored research projects including $8 million in STEM education grants with a focus on promoting equity and inclusion. She is the lead investigator for a $1 million Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Grant and is also a National Academies of Science Education fellow in the life sciences.
As a first-generation college student and with a passion for student-centered learning and academic innovation, Sible cites the learning experiences and opportunities she is able to share with her students as her greatest professional reward.
“I trace my career path back to the day my first-year biology professor invited me to join his research laboratory,” Sible said. “Today, I celebrate Virginia Tech’s commitment to providing access to experiential learning to all our students. These opportunities deepen learning and personal growth and situate our graduates for futures grounded in meaning and purpose.”
Sible earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire and her Ph.D. in cell, molecular, and developmental biology from Tufts University School of Medicine, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Sible will succeed Rachel Holloway, who announced her retirement after 11 years as vice provost and 36 years of service to Virginia Tech.
“I would like to sincerely thank Rachel Holloway for her outstanding leadership and guidance, commitment to the growth and success of our students, and decades of distinguished service to Virginia Tech,” Taylor said.
