Two faculty members have been newly appointed to the Academy of Faculty Leadership at Virginia Tech.

David Bevan, professor of biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was recommended based on exceptional leadership in the effort to establish the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in genetics, bioinformatics, and computational biology at Virginia Tech. 

Bevan’s leadership is also recognized in his ongoing commitments to student training and diversity throughout the college, through such efforts as the Initiative to Maximize Student Development. His leadership has had a significant impact on student development at all levels, breaking down traditional barriers to increase collaboration and impact across the university.

Patricia Raun is professor of performance and voice at the School of Performing Arts within the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. She was recommended based on collaborative and influential leadership in the arts at Virginia Tech, as well as regionally  and nationally. Raun served as director of the school from 2004-16.

Raun was lauded for advocacy, influence, inclusion, collaboration, and participation in a wide range of initiatives and efforts – including changes like those that formed the School of Performing Arts. These attributes have furthered student development and the arts at Virginia Tech and beyond through a collaborative, compassionate, and results-oriented style.

The Academy of Faculty Leadership, which was created in the spring of 2016, recognizes exemplary contributions of faculty members in the area of leadership. Nominees for potential appointments must have modeled exemplary leadership either within or beyond a faculty member’s usual responsibilities, through activities and approaches that significantly advance a culture of collaborative leadership; promote faculty, staff, and/or student development; and/or advance program or curricular transformation. They must also make a notable, demonstrable, positive impact within the university community, which is evidenced by nomination statement and letters of support. Instructional, research, administrative, and professional faculty members are eligible for inclusion.

The Academy of Faculty Leadership and the Academy of Faculty Service are structured to parallel the academies of Teaching Excellence and Outreach Excellence; members are called upon for representative service to university committees.

A call for nominations to the academies is issued each year in September and nominations are due in mid-November. An announcement is made through Virginia Tech News.

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