Virginia Tech announces new leadership for Dining Services, Career Services
Virginia Tech’s Division of Student Affairs has made several organizational changes in its Dining Services and Career Services departments.
Donna Cassell Ratcliffe, director of Career Services, has been appointed interim director of Dining Services. Ted Faulkner has accepted the position of senior associate director of Dining Services. Amy McPherson, associate director of Career Services, has been appointed interim director of Career Services.
The dining program has experienced substantial growth over the past decade, currently serving more than 6.2 million meals a year. The growth trajectory will continue with the current expansion of West End Market and the opening of dining center Turner Place at Lavery Hall in the new Academic and Student Services Building in fall 2012. To accommodate this expansion, Dining Services transitioned into its own departmental unit in February 2011.
“We have an extraordinarily successful dining program that has been praised for its quality and service,” said Frank Shushok, associate vice president for student affairs. “With student meal plans exceeding 18,000, new facilities and programs on the horizon, and a staff of more than 1,400, the time is right for Dining Services to become its own departmental unit.”
Cassell Ratcliffe will serve as interim director for eight-12 months until a search committee appoints a permanent director for the national award-winning dining program. She has served in various roles in Virginia Tech’s Career Services office for 27 years, most recently as director of Career Services since 2003. Cassell Ratcliffe received a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of Maryland and completed master of education and doctor of education degrees in counselor education and college student personnel at Virginia Tech.
During the transition period, Faulkner will be responsible for leading many of the daily operations of dining services. He served as associate director for Virginia Tech Dining Services since 1998 and brings 35 years of experience in food service.
Faulkner has been involved in the redesign of four award-winning dining centers, development of the new Turner Place dining center opening in 2012, initiatives to improve sustainability efforts, and the coordination of many customer service and employee development programs. He received an associate's degree in social sciences from Jamestown Community College in New York and a bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management from Virginia Tech.
McPherson has served as associate director for student and alumni services since 2003, where she serves as the liaison to the Virginia Tech Graduate School and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. She has worked with Career Services since 1993.
McPherson received a bachelor’s degree in business and economics and a master of education degree in counselor education from North Carolina State University.
Dining Services and Career Services Appointments
Pictured left to right are Donna Cassell Ratcliffe, Ted Faulkner, and Amy McPherson.
