Virginia Tech
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

Academic Hispanic OutReach Alliance (AHORA): AHORA is a mentoring program that targets Hispanic/Latino first-semester College of Engineering students. The program helps students achieve academic and personal success. Black Engineering Support Teams (BEST): BEST is a mentoring program that targets Black first-semester College of Engineering students. The program helps students achieve academic and personal success. Each One Reach One Multicultural Peer Connection Program: Each One Reach One assists under-represented, first-year, and entering transfer students with their college transition by providing personal, sensitive support and counseling. In addition, the program offers a wide range of activities that promote knowledge about Virginia Tech community resources, academic excellence, involvement, leadership, and personal growth. Parent Talk: Parent Talk is an information session that addresses academic support and campus climate issues, specifically as it relates to under-represented students. Parent Talk is held on Family Day in the fall semester. Student Transition Engineering Program (STEP): STEP is a five-week residential college transition program offered in the summer for entering freshman College of Engineering students. Career Services Multicultural Outreach: Career Services assists students with a variety of career concerns, from searching for a major to gaining career-related experience to conducting a job search or applying to graduate/professional schools. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to take advantage of all the resources and services provided in Smith Career Center. Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence (CAEE): CAEE offers free academic support, such as tutoring and study skills seminars to undergraduate students at Virginia Tech. CAEE has services for students who are already succeeding academically or for those who simply want to enrich their educational experiences Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED): The Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) at Virginia Tech is dedicated to enriching the engineering profession through increased diversity. CEED programs are targeted to current engineering students at Virginia Tech, prospective students, and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s pre-college community. The goals of CEED include: increasing the diversity of students who apply to, enroll, and graduate from the College of Engineering; increasing the awareness of engineering and other technical fields as an exciting and rewarding career path to a diverse population; providing academic, professional and personal support programs; providing support to student organizations that support our mission; and fostering collaboration between the CEED, the University, industry, and the local community to support our mission. Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD): Services for Students with Disabilities exists to assist the university with its mission of creating an inclusive and welcoming community for all students. SSD works to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to education and opportunities in this academic community.

ADA Services: University ADA Services facilitates equal access through individualized accommodation, consultations, physical and programmatic access, education, outreach, and review of policies and procedures. Black Faculty and Staff Caucus: The Black Caucus of Virginia Tech was established in 1981 in an effort to provide support for issues of particular interest to black faculty and staff members, students, and the university community. Caucus membership is open to all faculty and staff members, graduate students, and individuals recognized as associated with Virginia Tech. Hispanic Latino Caucus: The Hispanic and Latino Faculty Staff Caucus (the Hispanic Caucus) collaborates with the University Administration for the recruitment and retention of Hispanic/Latino faculty, staff, and students. LGBT Caucus: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus at Virginia Tech formed in 1992 as an affiliate of the Women's Network. The Caucus purpose is improving the working and learning environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members of Virginia Tech and the surrounding community. Multicultural Fellows: The Multicultural Fellows Program is a network of dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators who provide leadership and promote multiculturalism at Virginia Tech and the larger community. Multicultural Fellows (MCF) are selected based on their strong interest in multiculturalism and their potential to contribute to the mission of the Multicultural Fellows Program.

All of the above faculty efforts are also open to university staff. Staff Diversity Development Group: SDDG is a gathering of staff to discuss a common book that focuses on areas of diversity.