Get Involved

Thank you for your interest in being a part of university governance. If you are a Virginia Tech community member, reach out to your corresponding senate for more information on how to get involved! Below you will find links to the senate webpages as well as points of contacts for the commission and committee chairs and staff support. Feel free to reach out with questions about the work being done and information on how to best join their efforts!

Senate Presidents | 2026-2027

Commission Chairs | 2026-2027

  • Nikki Connors
    Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty
  • Vacant
    Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity - Suspended
  • Jake Lahne
    Commission on Faculty Affairs
  • Pooja Bhagawat
    Commission on Graduate and Professional Student Affairs
  • Jerald Walz
    Commission on Graduate and Professional Studies and Policies
  • Penelope Muelenaer
    Commission on Outreach and International Affairs
  • Ryan Calder
    Commission on Research
  • Gabe Petry
    Commission on Staff Policies and Affairs
  • Atharva Shashank Kokane
    Commission on Undergraduate Student Affairs
  • Sherwood Clements
    Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies

Staff Support for Commissions | 2026-2027

  • Kari Evans
    Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs
  • Vacant
    Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity - Suspended
  • Ron Fricker
    Commission on Faculty Affairs
  • Julia Hazelwood
    Commission on Graduate and Professional Student Affairs
  • Julia Hazelwood
    Commission on Graduate and Professional Studies and Policies
  • Kim Rhodes
    Commission on Outreach and International Affairs
  • Kimberly Borkowski
    Commission on Research
  • Kari Evans
    Commission on Staff Policies and Affairs
  • Kat Nelson
    Commission on Undergraduate Student Affairs
  • Rachel Pitcher
    Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies

Committee Chairs | 2026-2027

University Council and University Council Cabinet