Image of Brenda van Gelder
Brenda van Gelder

Vice President for Information Technology Scott Midkiff appointed Brenda van Gelder executive director of IT policy and strategic engagement within the Division of Information Technology.

In her new role, van Gelder serves as the lead point of contact for IT-related policy development, documentation, and updates. She also will focus on building partnerships to advance regional and national technology initiatives and promote infrastructure development.

“As the university evolves and adapts to meet the challenges and opportunities of being a land-grant university in the 21st century, there is a need for more engagement and partnerships, both internal and external to the university," Midkiff noted. "Brenda brings extensive experience to the executive director position as both a technology leader and a regulatory and policy specialist. This new position allows her to leverage and further broaden her expertise in policy and technology collaborations with communities and university partners.”

Van Gelder’s 28 years of experience at the university include founding and directing the eCorridors program, aimed at enhancing broadband quality and availability in Virginia communities. In 2009, she was appointed executive director of converged technologies for security, safety, and resilience, a group that facilitated increased collaboration and partnerships between IT, campus police, and emergency management organizations and promoted the adoption of new technologies for emergency response and incident management. Van Gelder will continue to direct the Blacksburg Electronic Village and eCorridors programs.

“The rapidly changing technology environment creates exciting opportunities for advancements in matters of policy as well as partnerships for leveraging the Division of IT skills and expertise,” van Gelder stated.  “I look forward to working with colleagues in the community to collaborate on initiatives involving Information Technology.”

A graduate of Virginia Tech, van Gelder earned her master’s degree in business administration.  In 2007, she was selected by EDUCAUSE as Virginia Tech’s Fellow in the Frye Leadership Institute.

Written by Leah Johnson, a master's degree student in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

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