Jerome Niles honored with emeritus status
Jerome A. Niles of Blacksburg, professor and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, was conferred the "professor and dean emeritus" title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors during the board's quarterly meeting August 27.
The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who have given exemplary service to the university and who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.
A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1974, Niles served both the former College of Human Sciences and Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences as dean from 2002 to 2007. As dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, he directed the restructuring of the new collage and defined a new vision for the arts, humanities, social sciences, human sciences, and education at Virginia Tech.
Niles provided support for several multicultural initiatives both at the college and university level, resulting in the enhancement of interdisciplinary and international collaborations, an enriched quality and diversity of employees and students, and a teacher development program in Malawi, Africa.
As a faculty members in the Division of Curriculum and Instruction, Niles provided leadership as an innovative teacher in developmental reading and assessment; publishing on various perspectives of literacy issues; implementing Virginia’s Colleague Teacher Project; and preparing hundreds of students to assume positions in education
Niles received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York College at Cortland and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Albany.
The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech embraces the arts, humanities, social and human sciences, and education. The college nurtures intellect and spirit, enlightens decision-making, inspires positive change, and improves the quality of life for people of all ages. It is home to the departments of apparel, housing and resource management, communication, educational leadership and policy studies, English, foreign languages and literatures, history; human development, interdisciplinary studies, music, philosophy, political science, ROTC, science and technology in society, sociology, teaching and learning, and theatre arts. Virginia Tech, the most comprehensive university in Virginia, is dedicated to quality, innovation, and results to the commonwealth, the nation, and the world.
