Virginia Tech has named Susan E. Short director of the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center effective June 1.

Short will vacate her position as vice president of instruction and student services at the Middletown, Va., campus of Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC).

Vice Provost for Outreach and International Affairs John E. Dooley said, "We are so pleased to have someone with Short's breadth of experience taking the lead in Roanoke, where we intend to expand the university's program presence for the benefit of the greater Roanoke region. Not only does she have an extensive track record in student-centered, innovative instruction, she also is a skilled team leader who is committed to connecting the knowledge resources of the university for the economic and social well-being of the region."

Short is assuming the position vacated by Douglas Strickland, who retired in July 2003. Since, Charlotte Anders, who was acting director of public service programs, has served as interim director for the university's operations, which are located at the Roanoke Higher Education Center.

Short has been in the vice presidential post at LFCC since 2001, providing administrative leadership in strategic planning, policy, budget, and personnel supervision. She first joined the community college administration as counselor and coordinator of student activities in 1984. In 1992, she became director of student support services, and in 1998, director of instruction and student services. In that position, she oversaw the development and delivery of distance learning initiatives, including off-campus offerings, web-based delivery, interactive video, and a virtual foreign language institute. She also led a full- and part-time faculty team of 75 individuals.

Short assisted LFCC in obtaining more than $5 million in state and federal grant support, serving as principal writer and/or administrator for several major successful proposals. She said it is that success, along with the expanded enrollment made possible by the distance learning programs initiated under her leadership, that she finds particularly gratifying. She also noted that she values the relationships she was able to establish with communities and the public schools in LFCC's service region.

Short earned her bachelor's at Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music with double majors in music therapy and music education. She earned a master's in counseling/student personnel from Shippensburg University and a Ph.D. in junior and community college education from Virginia Tech.

Short said she looks forward to committing herself to Tech's outreach efforts in the Roanoke Valley. "Throughout the application and interview process, I learned a lot about the numerous outreach programs that Virginia Tech provides throughout the commonwealth and the exciting opportunities that exist within the Roanoke region," she said. "The Virginia Tech Roanoke Center has the rich potential to expand access to programs and services as well as contribute to the overall economic and community development needs throughout the region. I believe the university's Outreach and International Affairs team can utilize our collective skills to successfully serve as the bridge and broker of services between Virginia Tech and area citizens."

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