Outreach Program Development (OPD) fosters greater economic opportunities and quality of life for the citizens of Virginia and beyond. The programs offered through OPD provide lifelong learning opportunities for youth, undergraduate and graduate students, scholars, practicing professionals, and adults.

OPD provides trusted services in all aspects of design, management, and delivery of more than 450 programs. Faculty and staff in OPD provide access to learning environments including world-class hotels and conference centers, high technology classrooms, and laboratories.

Jeri Childers, Ph.D., Director
Phone: 540/231-9497
Email: jlc@vt.edu

Continuing and Professional Education
CPE annually reaches more than 30,000 professionals through short courses, certificate programs, conferences, research symposia, workshops, and custom-developed educational programs for business, government, and community organizations.

Mark Bernhard, Ph.D., Director
Phone: 540/231-0624
Email: mcb7@vt.edu

Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement
The Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement offers unique educational programs for leaders, organizations, and communities looking for creative solutions to today's challenges. By drawing on the knowledge and experience of university, business, industry, government, and community leaders, center fellows, and Virginia Tech faculty, the center develops inventive programs in engineering, sciences, business, education, and governmental affairs.

Jeri Childers, Ph.D., Director
Phone: 540/231-9497
Email: jlc@vt.edu

National Capital Region
Outreach Program Development faculty and staff based in Virginia Tech's National Capital Region fully support the university's three missions-education, research, and outreach. Programs can be delivered on-site, hosted at one of the university's regional facilities, or arranged to take place anywhere in the world.

Barbara Bennett, Associate Director
Phone: 703/518-2716
Email: bennbl@vt.edu

English Language Institute
The English Language Institute offers programs and services to help students meet personal, academic, and professional goals through English and foreign language study. ELI also partners with businesses and community organizations to offer language and cross-cultural contract training.

Don Back, Director
Phone: 540/231-6963
Email: dback@vt.edu

VT-Engage
VT-Engage is an active community service project. The program encourages Virginia Tech faculty, staff, students, alumni, and people everywhere to volunteer work as a way to give back to the community. By making a commitment to effect positive change in someone's life and in a community, people everywhere have a chance to help Virginia Tech uphold its motto of Ut Prosim-That I May Serve.

Karen Gilbert, Coordinator
Phone: 540/231-0691
Email: engage@vt.edu

Service-Learning Center
The Service-Learning Center enhances learning and deepens civic responsibility by integrating community service with reflection and academic credit courses. Virginia Tech students and faculty serve and learn in the community by partnering with non-profit agencies, civic groups, and community agencies across the commonwealth and central Appalachia.

Michele James-Deramo, Director
Phone: 540/231-6947
Email: deramo@vt.edu

Talent Search and Upward Bound
Talent Search and Upward Bound are designed to encourage and prepare students to pursue college educations. The programs provide tutoring and help in areas such as English, mathematics, science, foreign language, SAT and ACT preparation, study and testing skills, career planning, time management, communication, and problem solving.

Thomas Wilson, Director
Phone: 540/231-6911
Email: tgwilson@vt.edu

Fine Arts Initiative
The Fine Arts Initiative brings music education and performances to Southside and Southwest Virginia, particularly to rural areas. The program's goal is to demonstrate the community building and economic development through the fine arts, which illustrates the university's commitment to excellence in the arts and vibrant local economies.

David Ehrlich, Director
Phone: 540/231-9982
Email: ehrlich@vt.edu

World-Class Hotels and Conference Centers

The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
This historic hotel is connected to a high-tech conference center that offers 63,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. A covered walkway leads to downtown Roanoke where visitors will find a farmer's market, galleries, a professional theatre, shops, and restaurants.

Gary Walton, General Manager
Phone: 540/985-5900
Email: gwalton@hotelroanoke.com

The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
Located in the heart of campus, this 193,000 square foot facility sits on 25 lush acres. The 700-seat ballroom, 10 conference rooms, and 147 guest rooms and suites make it one of the premier facilities in the mid-Atlantic region.

Gary Crizer, Assistant General Manager
Phone: 540/231-8000
Email: gcrizer@vt.edu

• Questions and comments: hcarroll@vt.edu.

  © 2007 Outreach and International Affairs