Community Engagement

[Cynda Johnson, founding dean]: The diversity of Roanoke is much more than many people understand. Everything from young people to retirees coming back to the area perhaps because the health care options are good and this is what we're training for.

[Karen Eley Sanders, former chief diversity officer]: We define diversity more broadly than just race as it should be.

[David Trinkle, associate dean for community and culture]: Our students are immersed in our community. We have a very diverse community a very open and friendly community. Every different culture is here.

[Evelyn Garcia, former chair, radiology]: The arts are available, sciences, community activities, volunteering activities, sports activities, just about anything you could ask for.

[Sara Bahraini, medical student]: Roanoke is a big festival place we have a festival for pretty much anything you can think of. They've got a Greek festival, strawberry festival, wings festival.

[Sara Blante, medical student]: Local colors: it's a festival where you will have different ethnic groups represented of people that live in the Roanoke area and they will wear traditional clothing from their countries and there will be dances and music and food.

[Jonathan Kelly, local entrepreneur]: Different peoples from all walks of life. It's like a mini New York the melting pot.

[Brian Redd, sr. vice president, Bank of America]: It's afforded me every opportunity to not only be successful professionally, but it's also allowed me to get involved from a community aspect and actually affect change.

[Silpa Thaivalappil, class of 2016]: This is the most welcoming community event in so far even just like the first weekend I was moving in and we were shopping for furniture and we told people like oh I'm a new student at Virginia Tech they're so welcoming it's so excited to have students here.

[Katie Gambale, class of 2016]: When we go out into the community people recognize that we're medical students and I think it's just a warm feeling that we get from everyone.

[Jeff May, Jr, site director, Westside Community Center]: In this area there are people who need your gifts. There are people who need your talents. There are people who need the reason why you are exactly who you are. We need you here.

[Chris McLaughlin, class of 2017]: Without a doubt coming to Roanoke and being in the Blue Ridge Mountain area that's just once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.