Diversity Initiatives
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine’s commitment to diversity starts within its doors.Those who enter the campus are greeted with a palpable feeling that it is a safe and positive environment where differences can be freely expressed and where understanding and mutual respect are the norm.
The school encourages inclusiveness of diverse cultures and beliefs through several programs:
Dean's Diversity Champions Award
The Dean’s Diversity Champions Award recognizes significant achievements of faculty and students toward developing a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
Diversity and Belonging Series
These informal events offer faculty, staff, and students opportunities to gather for open conversations about given topics. Participants are encouraged to add their own thoughts, ideas, and perspectives to the discussion. The diversity and belonging events give people a chance to enrich their understanding and broaden their exposure to diverse perspectives.
#VTCUnfinished
VTCUnfinished is a series of discussions about difference and identity that will lead to unfinished conversations intended to create pauses or gaps in order to help participants identify where differences lie.
Using the social media hashtag #VTCUnfinished, the meetings are intended to encourage students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to share their experiences, stories, questions, and apprehensions about the complicated issues of identity and differences.
Heritage Months
VTCSOM observes a diversity of heritage celebrations with school activities and community events throughout the year.
- African American History (February)
- Women’s History (March)
- Jewish American Heritage, Asian Pacific American Heritage, Elderly Americans (May)
- LGBTQ Pride (June)
- Disability Awareness (August)
- Women in Medicine (September)
- Hispanic-Latino Heritage (Sept.15 – Oct 15)
- National American Indian History (November)
Safe Zone Program
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine participates in the Safe Zone Program, which educates the school’s community on topics related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their supporters. The program reinforces the school’s commitment to providing an inclusive and accepting campus environment. More information is available at Virginia Tech's Division of Student Affairs website.
Initiatives on Virginia Tech’s Main Campus in Blacksburg
The Office of Inclusion and Diversity coordinates numerous diversity and inclusion efforts, including lunch and learn programs, speakers, and special events.
Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus is home to several Cultural and Community Centers, including
- American Indian & Indigenous Community Center
- Asian Cultural Engagement Center
- Black Cultural Center
- El Centro - Hispanic and Latinx Cultural Center
- LGBTQ+ Resource Center
- Intercultural Engagement Center