Electrical and computer engineering celebrates distinguished alumni
Six alumni were honored at the annual Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering banquet and award ceremony.
Whether in research and development, leadership, or service, alumni of the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) are changing the world. To recognize their exemplary contributions to industry or academia, ECE honored six alumni at the annual Bradley Banquet and Academy of Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony.
Four alumni were inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Academy and honored with one of the department’s Distinguished Alumni Awards: Doug Juanarena, Edward Tiedemann, Jeannette M. Mills, and Manoj R. Shah. Two additional alumni were recognized with Early Career Impact Awards: Divita Vohra and Setor Zilevu.
“Each of our alumni have contributed to strengthening the foundation of our department through their service, leadership, and innovation,” said Rose Qingyang Hu, ECE department head. “They truly represent Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).”
Distinguished Alumni Award—Meritorious Service
This award recognizes sustained, outstanding volunteer service to ECE, recognizing alumni annually who ensure the department’s mission through outstanding volunteer activities.
Doug Juanarena has had numerous roles over his 50-year career, including as a researcher at NASA Langley; the founder and CEO of three technology companies; the vice president and general manager for Blacksburg Operations in Rackspace; and more. He has served on the College of Engineering and ECE Advisory Boards and the Radford University Foundation Board. In 2013, he was inducted into the Virginia Tech College of Engineering Academy of Engineering Excellence.
Distinguished Alumni Award—Extraordinary Impact
This award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated an extraordinary and impactful accomplishment that improves people’s lives, especially when their life’s work represents intellectual integrity, informed ethical values, a focus on public service, and demonstrated leadership.
Edward Tiedemann is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow, a Qualcomm Fellow, and a senior vice president of engineering of Qualcomm Technologies. He created Qualcomm’s worldwide standardization and industry organization activities and has almost 300 granted U.S. patents. Tiedemann is a 1975 Virginia Tech graduate with his bachelor’s in electrical engineering. In 2014, Tiedemann was inducted into the Virginia Tech College of Engineering Academy of Engineering Excellence.
Distinguished Alumni Award—Extraordinary Impact
Jeannette M. Mills is the executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority, where she supports the needs of 10 million people. She is a 1988 electrical engineering graduate from Virginia Tech and served on the nominating governance committee for the Shoals Technologies Group.
Distinguished Alumni Award—Career Achievement
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated service to electrical and computer engineering or a related profession, through IEEE or other professional organizations, speaking engagements, and other avenues. The award also recognizes extraordinary accomplishments; stature in a professional career; longevity, consistency, and quality of professional contributions; and scholarship and administrative appointments for those employed in academia.
Manoj R. Shah is a distinguished professor of engineering at Florida A&M who received his master’s and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in 1980. Shah has received multiple IEEE awards, including the Gerald B. Kliman Innovation Award and the Nikola Tesla Award. Additionally, he received GE Research’s Coolidge Fellowship and GE Power’s Outstanding Achievement Award. He is a Life Fellow of IEEE and a National Academy of Engineering Member.
Early Career Impact Awards
In 2025, ECE created the Early Career Impact Award to recognize young alumni who have emerged as early leaders in their respective professional or civic endeavors. Alumni who receive this award have shown themselves to be great role models and innovators, while contributing significantly to their industry, specialization, or community.
Divita Vohra
Vohra is the principal product manager—large personalization model at Spotify. She has her bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech. When not at work, Vohra serves as a member and speaker for Women Who Code and is the Connected Circles Program Lead for Women in Tech.
Setor Zilevu
Zilevu is a triple Hokie, achieving his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in five years. At the time of his graduation, Zilevu became the youngest Ghanian to receive a user experience Ph.D. He is a staff researcher at Figma and professor at New York University. In his spare time, Setor serves with Grace Academy.
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