Beth Valentine named new ADA director
Valentine will serve as the institutional compliance officer to ensure the university complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Beth Valentine has been named the director of ADA and Accessibility Services for Virginia Tech’s Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education (CRCPE). She assumed her new role on January 26.
Valentine is a compliance leader who served as the equity compliance and education manager in the Civil Rights & Title IX Office at the University of North Dakota (UND) prior to joining Virginia Tech. At UND, she was also the deputy ADA/Section 504 coordinator and deputy Title IX coordinator, leading efforts in accessibility, civil rights compliance, and inclusive policy development. She also contributed to universitywide endeavors such as Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaccreditation and strategic planning.
“Throughout Beth’s wide-ranging career, she has fostered environments committed to accessibility and civil rights,” said Kelly Oaks, associate vice president for civil rights and prevention education. “She will provide strong leadership to the university and CRCPE.
“As a dynamic and results-driven leader with experience in higher education, we are excited to work with her on continuing our institutional commitment to accessibility for all,” Oaks added.
As Virginia Tech’s director of ADA and Accessibility Services, Valentine will serve as the institutional compliance officer for the university to ensure Virginia Tech complies with Title I and Title II of the ADA, Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other federal, state, and local laws related to individuals with disabilities as applicable. The director serves as the campus expert for issues relating to the ADA; addresses issues regarding accessibility and provides options to the university community to rectify barriers; and provides leadership to ensure inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all university activities.
“I look forward to becoming a part of the Hokie Nation — to joining a team of dedicated accessibility and civil rights professionals,” Valentine said, “to reaching out across campuses and making connections with others who are passionate about accessibility, and to learning everything I can from the community.”
She holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Rutgers University, a Master of Studies in Law from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington and Lee University. Prior to her transition into civil rights work, she taught as an assistant professor of philosophy, where her research focused on the intersection of law and ethics. Valentine has published and presented both nationally and internationally on topics related to consent, and legal theory in educational contexts.
“I hope to support and build upon the ongoing work to make Viriginia Tech an even more welcoming and inclusive space for all and to live up to Virginia Tech's motto of Ut Prosim,” Valentine said. “Before moving here, I was also looking forward to less snow, but I'm not sure how realistic that expectation is now.”
