Dean Liu’s studio crawls: Listening, learning, and engaging with students

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academics 1:28 Dean Liu’s studio crawls: Listening, learning, and engaging with students

By:

Evan Musgrave

7 Jan 2026 55

Almost every day, Dean Lu Liu of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design takes the time to walk through studios, classrooms, and common spaces to meet students where they are. From asking about projects to learning how the semester is going, his visits reflect his deep care for students and a commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration.

My name is Lu Liu. I am the Dean of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech. I am kind of well known for walking around on campus from studios to studios, from classroom to classroom. I've been doing that for many years. I always enjoy having conversations with the students to see what they are working on And to just ask questions, to see how they are feeling, how their days have been, how their project is going to make a difference to their portfolio, to the society, to the world, things like that. It's always fun. And also, it's always fun to share their joy when they accomplish something incredible. Sometimes, the students are under a lot of stress. Before the deadline, before the final review, I'm happy to know more, to share their class. When I talk to them, when I hear their stories, just so exciting. And sometimes it just let me forget. I just get away from my daily routine and get away from the daily challenges I'm facing. The students always remind me why we are here. As an educator and higher administration, the students' passion, the students' aspirations, they're always inspiring.