2025 faculty and staff awards
The university congratulates faculty and staff members for their contributions in a number of categories, from advising students to championing outreach and research.
The recipients are grouped by awards.
Administrative and Professional Faculty Award
The recognition program highlights the integral roles that A/P faculty, which number approximately 2,500 Virginia Tech employees, hold as they lead and manage a variety of positions. This year's recipients are Claudia Brodkin, Cozette Comer, Andria Laib Jenkins, and Rachel Smucker.
Advising awards
Priscilla Baker, Melissa Cumbia, Michelle Flinchum, Daniel Hoek, and Karen Watson were recognized for excellence in advising.
Alumni Awards for Excellence
Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the Alumni Awards for Excellence are awarded annually to faculty and staff who exhibit excellence and dedication in their respective fields.
Inaugural Research Award recipients
Last year, the Office of Research and Innovation collaborated with the Office of Faculty Affairs to reimagine how the university honors the extraordinary faculty who have demonstrated extraordinary scholarly impact. Three new awards were established to complement the Jacob A Lutz Award for Eminent Scholars: the Early Career Scholarly Impact Award, the Frontier Award, and the Engaged Research Award. Now, the inaugural honorees have been selected for such outstanding work. Funded by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, each winner receives a plaque and $2,000.
This year's recipients are Meagan Brem, Ruoxi Jia, Rachel Midura, Richard Hunt, Guoliang Liu, Michelle Theus, and Quinn Thomas.
McComas Staff Leadership Award
The McComas Staff Leadership Award honors the significant leadership contributions of a classified or university staff member who has been employed at Virginia Tech for at least one year.
President's Award for Excellence
The President’s Award for Excellence is presented annually to up to five Virginia Tech employees who have made extraordinary contributions by consistent excellence in the performance of their job or a single incident, contribution, or heroic act. The employees — Sherri Albert, Debra Harry, Marcus Haynie, Kenneth Knott, and Bobby Polly — for 2025 were announced on April 9.
Presidential Principles of Community Award
The Presidential Principles of Community Award recognizes faculty and staff members who exemplify and promote a welcoming and inclusive environment in accordance with the university’s Principles of Community.
University Sporn Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching Introductory Subjects
Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and the Virginia Tech Academy for Teaching Excellence, the Sporn Award for Teaching Introductory Subjects recognizes a Virginia Tech faculty member nominated and selected by undergraduate students.
Staff Career Achievement Award
Created in 2011 to recognize retiring staff members, the Staff Career Achievement Award is presented annually to individuals who retired the previous year and who distinguished themselves through exemplary performance and service during their university career. Nominees must have worked a minimum of 10 years at Virginia Tech.
University Award for Excellence in Teaching
The University Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented annually to honor two Virginia Tech faculty members for teaching excellence. Award recipients are selected by the university's Academy of Teaching Excellence and are chosen from among those faculty members who have received Certificates of Teaching Excellence from their respective colleges during the preceding three years.
William E. Wine Award
The William E. Wine Award was established in 1957 by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association in memory of William E. Wine, Class of 1904, who was a former rector of the Board of Visitors and Alumni Association president. Following a college-level selection process of candidates nominated by students, faculty, and alumni, each college may put forth one nominee. From this group, three faculty members are selected annually. Each Wine Award winner receives $2,000 and automatic induction into the Academy of Teaching Excellence.
XCaliber Award for Excellence in Technology Assisted Teaching and Learning
Established in 1996 by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the XCaliber Award is presented annually by Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies to recognize individual faculty members or teams of faculty and staff who integrate technology in teaching and learning. The award celebrates innovative, student-centered approaches.
