Elaine Densley, program coordinator and assistant at the Virginia Tech Richmond Center, has received the 2018 McComas Staff Leadership Award.

The McComas Staff Leadership Award honors the significant leadership contributions of a classified or university staff member who has been employed at Virginia Tech for at least one year. The award is sponsored by the Division of Human Resources and the Commission for Staff Policies and Affairs. Densley accepted the award at the annual James D. McComas Staff Leadership Seminar on May 9 and received a monetary award of $500.

Densley is regarded by her colleagues as respectful and driven and plays an integral part in growing Virginia Tech’s presence in the Richmond area because of her dependability and leadership.

She is credited with always having new ideas to help streamline the business activities and daily operations of the Richmond Center and encouraging others to participate and share their own ideas in meetings, reinforcing the center’s culture of openness and transparency. Densley also helps train new employees on complex systems and reminds new employees of the importance of their roles in the department’s success. No matter how full her plate is, she makes herself available to anyone who needs her assistance.

“Elaine has an incredible amount of initiative and drive to support our important work. I have never met another employee who so fully embraces their role with Virginia Tech, and it is evident in the excellent work and support she provides,” said Kim Harrison, a colleague of Densley’s. “Elaine Densley is the type of staff member and teammate most supervisors dream of having.”

Densley regularly sets high goals for herself and her team and leads by example every day by embodying Virginia Tech’s motto – Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

The Richmond Center is part of Outreach and International Affairs at Virginia Tech.

Written by Katie Magnant, Class of 2019

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