James Bridgeforth named vice president for student affairs at Middle Tennessee State University

James Bridgeforth, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and leader of ExperienceVT at Virginia Tech, has been named vice president for student affairs and dean of students, as well as assistant professor of education, at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). He will assume his new roles on July 1.

Bridgeforth joined Virginia Tech in October 2020 as the inaugural assistant vice president for Student Affairs and ExperienceVT, a role created to further the university’s commitment to holistic student learning and engagement. ExperienceVT supports students in understanding and practicing the Aspirations for Student Learning through intentional involvement, reflection, and leadership development.

“James is an exceptional leader whose work has profoundly shaped the student experience at Virginia Tech,” said Frances Keene, vice president for Student Affairs. “He has led with vision, passion, and care for students and employees, and this appointment is a well-deserved recognition of the impact he has made. While we will miss his leadership, we are excited to see him take this next step and continue serving students at MTSU.”

At Virginia Tech, Bridgeforth strengthened institution-wide efforts to connect learning inside and outside the classroom, expanded leadership development and civic engagement opportunities, and elevated the first‑year and living‑learning experiences. He provided executive leadership for units including Cranwell International Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Engagement and Campus Life, the Office of Living‑Learning Programs, and VT Engage: The Center for Leadership and Service Learning.

Bridgeforth also served as senior advisor to the Undergraduate Student Senate, helping to reimagine the undergraduate student government experience with an emphasis on servant leadership and experiential learning. In 2024, he served as interim assistant vice president for housing, dining, and student centers, providing oversight for one of the university’s largest operational portfolios and supporting more than 2,500 faculty, staff, wage, and student employees.

“I am deeply grateful to Dr. Frank Shushok and Dr. Frances Keene for the formative and truly life-changing professional experiences I have had during my time at Virginia Tech,” said Bridgeforth. “I could not have imagined the extent to which these experiences would shape and prepare me for executive leadership in higher education.”

As a first-generation college graduate who grew up in rural southern Virginia, Bridgeforth has consistently centered equity, access, and student success in his work. His 20 years of experience in higher education include leadership roles at public universities, private colleges, religiously affiliated institutions, historically Black colleges and universities, and land‑grant institutions.

Bridgeforth earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration and institutional research from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Catawba College. He is a graduate of the Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership in Education and participated in the EAB Presidential Intensive.

“Virginia Tech has been a place where I have been able to grow and thrive both personally and professionally, and I will always be a Hokie at heart. I am especially thankful to President [Tim] Sands and Dr. Cyril Clarke for the time they invested in helping me better understand what leadership requires in today’s higher education ecosystem,” said Bridgeforth. “I will greatly miss my team, colleagues, and the entire Virginia Tech community. At the same time, I am excited to join Middle Tennessee State University and look forward to working alongside its community to support student success, strengthen engagement, and advance a shared commitment to student learning and well-being.” 

Chelsea Haines, chief of staff for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech, has been named interim assistant vice president for Student Affairs and ExperienceVT, and Ashley B. Roberts, chief of operations for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech, has been named interim chief of staff for Student Affairs.

A national search for Virginia Tech’s next assistant vice president for Student Affairs has been launched.