CIRED executive director promoted to full professor
Thomas Archibald, executive director of the Center for International Research, Education, and Development, has been promoted to full professor following approval by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
A faculty member in the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Archibald has built his career around international engagement and the scholarship of program evaluation. Since joining the university in 2013, he has advanced research, teaching, and outreach in program evaluation while helping faculty and students build international research collaborations.
“Tom’s promotion is a well-deserved recognition of the rigor, creativity, and impact he brings to Virginia Tech’s global work,” said Guru Ghosh, vice president for outreach and international affairs. “Through CIRED and his own scholarship, he has helped demonstrate how international partnerships can advance research, strengthen communities, and create meaningful opportunities for faculty and students.”
CIRED, part of Outreach and International Affairs, supports international research and development projects that connect Virginia Tech with communities around the world. Working with faculty and partners across disciplines, the center addresses challenges related to food systems, education, economic development, natural resources, and community resilience.
International development has helped shape Archibald’s career. As an early-career faculty member, he took on leadership of a $4 million project in Senegal that opened doors to new grant funding, publications, and partnerships while deepening his work in evaluation and international development.
As CIRED’s executive director, Archibald draws on his background in agricultural leadership and education, evaluation, and international development. Under his leadership, the center has secured major grants, including a $5 million USAID-funded project in India. He also has supported colleagues across the division through his teaching and mentorship, including serving as dissertation chair for Elli Travis of the Center for Economic and Community Engagement. Travis earned her Ph.D. in 2025 with a focus on program impact evaluation.
“International development has been a formative part of my career,” Archibald said. “It provided opportunities to apply my research in real-world contexts, build meaningful partnerships, and grow as both a scholar and practitioner. I encourage faculty, especially those early in their careers, to consider engaging in this work. It is deeply rewarding to see your research and teaching contribute in tangible ways while also strengthening your academic path.”
For Archibald, the path from a project in Senegal to a full professorship reflects the kind of globally engaged scholarship he now encourages younger colleagues to pursue — work that can advance faculty careers while contributing to communities around the world.
