Leaders in advising and First-Year Experiences program retire after decades of service to students
In May, Gary Kinder and Renee Ryan retired from their roles as advisor and assistant department head for the building construction program after guiding thousands of students through the major to graduation and into their careers.
“When I think about Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Gary and Renee immediately comes to mind,” said Shelton Norwood, academic advisor for the building construction program at Virginia Tech. “Gary has spent decades sharing his talents with the VT community and has given himself selflessly to higher education and the needs of students.”
“Renee exudes compassion,” said Norwood. “I am a firm believer that her background in elementary and secondary education molded her into a person who truly cares about each student. Both Gary and Renee have been valuable mentors, role models, and friends.”
Both played an important role in developing the department’s First-Year Experiences (FYE) course.
The building construction major is part of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction in the College of Engineering. Each year, about 150 students join the program, which was one of the first majors to participate in the FYE program when it launched in 2010. Kinder and Ryan have contributed to the program for the last 15 and 12 years, respectively.
The result is a program that’s become a national leader in educating first-year students.
“One thing I’ve always appreciated about the FYE program is that the courses are not only orientation for the university, but they’re built into the programs and colleges,” said Kinder, who served as senior academic advisor in building construction. “That allowed us to go beyond teaching ‘survival skills’ for college and tailor the program to our industry and the skills and experiences we know our students will need.”
The course is successful, says Kinder, because it includes industry partners, experiential learning, and career placement that starts immediately when students join the major. The FYE course is taught by Kinder, Norwood, and Ryan and offered during the fall semester each year with participation from the school’s Industry Advisory Board.
The course has discussions led by alumni, career fairs, and a field trip to large construction sites in the southeast, paid for by grants and industry sponsors. The two-credit class isn’t required but more than 90 percent of first-years students, transfers, and undergraduates switching majors take the course.
“We’re getting our students prepared professionally. That means making sure they can go to the career fair, know how to shake someone’s hand, and research the companies,” said Ryan, who served as assistant department head. “The director of our school, Brain Kleiner, also comes in and does mock interviews with our students after the career fair.
“I always tell students, ‘I’ll take your hand when you come into our program, and I’ll shake your hand when you walk across the stage at graduation,'" said Ryan. “I think that encompasses the four years they have with me and our advising team.”
Since joining Virginia Tech 31 years ago, Kinder estimates he has worked with almost 10,000 students.
“What I’ve realized after all these years, is if was can speak honestly with our students and provide for them what they really need to succeed as both people and in their careers - I think it’s our highest purpose and reward of working in higher education,” said Kinder. “A life of service and community, has always been my purpose.”
First-Year Experiences is a universitywide program with courses taught in every college that support the academic transition for students arriving at Virginia Tech. The classes, taught in their home colleges, introduce students to their major, the university’s honor code, professional development opportunities, and campus resources for their academic success and well-being. This year more than 11,500 students were enrolled in the FYE program during the 2024-25 academic year.
“The Office of First-Year Experiences is grateful and inspired by the work of Renee and Gary,” said Kendria Mason, coordinator for First-Year Experiences. “They have contributed not just to the structure of how we shape our FYE courses, but how we support first-year students on an institutional level. We hope to continue building on the foundation that they have laid.”
More information about the program is available online at First-Year Experiences and the Myers-Lawson School of Construction.
