Virginia Tech Center for Economic & Community Engagement

10/26/2026

We’ve just launched the digital version of our 2026 magazine, showcasing our work with communities across the state, from shaping a plan for the To***co Region Revitalization Commission to helping students find careers in aquaculture.

Check it out here! https://cece.vt.edu/about/CECEAdvisoryBoard/cece-magazines/26.html

10/22/2026

For more than 10 years, CECE has partnered with Urban Alliance to help young people gain real-world experience through paid internships, mentorship, and professional development.

This past year, high school student Mohammed Shameen interned with Virginia Tech’s System Performance Laboratory in Alexandria, helping deliver the STEaM Tech project. Supported by a Vibrant Virginia seed grant, STEaM Tech gave middle school students a hands-on introduction to transportation through interactive workshops.

Read more: Link in comments!

10/20/2026

The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board has received a $7,994,951 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for Appalachian Advancement: Building Career Mobility and Talent Pipelines, a three-year initiative to help residents advance their careers and businesses develop the talent they need to grow.

The project includes workforce research and technical expertise from Center for Economic and Community Engagement faculty Sarah Lyon-Hill and Elli Travis, along with leadership and organizational development support from Collective Impact, LLC.

Read more: Link in comments!

10/15/2026

From industry partnerships to hands-on learning opportunities, the Center for Economic and Community Engagement and the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT) are helping prepare the next generation of aerospace innovators.

Through partnerships cultivated by Afroze Mohammed and collaborations led by Scott Bailey and the Space@VT team, Virginia Tech students are gaining real-world experience working on industry-sponsored projects, while K-12 learners tackle challenges like space debris alongside experts in the field.

Read more: Link in comments!

10/14/2026

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors today appointed Richard Linton as the university’s 17th president.

Linton will succeed Tim Sands, who will continue to serve as president until Linton assumes office at the beginning of the 2027 spring semester.

Part of the Virginia Tech Alumni community, Linton received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. He currently serves as president of Kansas State University.

“My 40-year journey in the land-grant system began at Virginia Tech,” said Linton. “Having earned three degrees here, the opportunity to return home and serve as president of my alma mater is a true honor.”

Read more ➡️ go.vt.edu/utpPZ

10/12/2026

Urban, suburban and rural communities can all thrive in today’s economy. Getting there will take a new approach.

Emeritus professor John Accordino and CECE Executive Director John A. Provo write in a new op-ed: "Instead of pursuing siloed state and local efforts, Virginia should take a convergent approach, one in which housing, workforce, infrastructure and business development are planned together, region by region, toward a shared goal: communities with a high quality of life."

Read more:

Urban, suburban and rural communities can all thrive in today’s economy. Getting there will take a new approach.

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

The Alleghany region is working together to broaden economic opportunity, help people flourish, and create thriving places.

The Center for Economic and Community Engagement recently held a meeting with community leaders to share updates on Alleghany Thrives, a collective impact initiative that is making a difference in the region.

More information about the initiative can be found here: https://www.alleghanythrives.org/

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new project coordinator Katie Bolling!

Katie graduated from Emory and Henry in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in media and communications, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre, and a minor in English.

After she graduated, she moved into a position at EO as their data coordinator for Project Health, an initiative funded by the Department of Labor designed to provide students with opportunities in high-demand healthcare jobs.

In her role at CECE, Katie assists with proposal development, project budgeting and milestone tracking, and final product editing and formatting.

Read more in an interview with Katie: Link in comments!