Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine team for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consists of a cross-functional team Student Affairs, Admissions, and Communications as well as Carilion Clinic so that DEI initiatives are embedded in numerous functions of the school.
Azziza O. (Kemi) Bankole, MBBS
Chief Diversity Officer
540-981-7653
aobankole@vt.edu
Riverside 2 Suite M146
Office Hours: Tuesdays 8am-5pm
Position Responsibilities
The chief diversity officer is responsible programmatic efforts to improve and promote diversity across the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine community. This includes leading the identification and execution of best practices for the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and students and coordinating activities that support the school’s strategic goals for inclusion and access. The chief diversity officer leads the development and implementation of policies and initiatives that contribute to building a diverse and equitable community that enriches students' education and enhances their ability to participate in a rapidly evolving, multicultural world.
Education and Training
- University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Nigeria, MD
- North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Systems, Zucker Hillside Hospital-Fellowship
- State University of New York Downstate Medical Center-Residency
- Hull and East Riding NHS Trust-Residency
Additional Positions
- Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Fellowship Director, Geriatric Psychiatry, Carilion Clinic
- Geriatric Psychiatrist, Carilion Clinic Center for Healthy Aging
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm
Position Responsibilities
The Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Student Vitality collaborates with multiple departments at the school to focus on recruiting and retaining diverse students, staff, and faculty while also looking for ways to enhance programs, facilities, and resources to promote vitality for all students. Dr. Bishop works with leaders in admissions, student affairs, faculty affairs, and others to enrich the school’s diversity, supportive learning environment, and student quality-of-life. He also collaborates with VTCSOM’s clinical partner, Carilion Clinic, on programs and matters that bridge Diversity and Inclusion between our institutions.
Education and Training
- Wesley Theological Seminary: DMin
- Virginia Tech: MSEd
- Radford University: BA
- New River Community College: AAS
Additional Positions
- Assistant Professor, Health Systems and Implementation Science, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Senior Vice President, Carilion Clinic
- Chief Diversity Officer, Carilion Clinic
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm
As the Inclusion Coordinator, Sophia works collaboratively with the Chief Diversity Officer and the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality.
Alongside the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality she is responsible for the development and implementation of the ProjectMED program serving underrepresented populations in medicine.
She also leads the VTCSOM Undergraduate Pathway Programs: Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP), Medical Exposure for Diverse Students Experience (MEDS-E), and year-round national medical student recruitment. Sophia serves as the coordinator for the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belong Series (DIBS), Riverside Chats, and the Diverse Personal Network-Roanoke (DPN).
She serves as a member of the Council for Diversity and Inclusion and the annual Virginia Tech Martin Luther King planning committee.
Education and Training
- Full Sail University: MA
- Virginia Commonwealth University: BFA
Office Hours: weekdays from 7am-4pm
As the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist, Stephanie serves as a first point-of-contact for the VTCSOM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts. She also works collaboratively with the Chief Diversity Officer and the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality and Inclusion Coordinator.
She also leads the VTCSOM K-12 Pathway Programs: Healthcare Enrichment Learning Program (HELP), Health Professions Enrichment Program (HPEP), JumpStart and local recruitement events.
Education and Training
- Libery University: BS
Angelica Witcher Walker, PhD, MBA
Assistant Dean for Student Vitality
Director, Student Affairs
540-526-2555
angelicaw@vt.edu
Riverside 2 M151
Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm
Position Responsibilities
As the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality and Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Witcher is responsible for managerial aspects of the student affairs curriculum and programs, and maintains a core role in directing activities related to student organizations and special interest groups, career advising, residency planning, ceremony planning, budget planning, and providing support to the Office of Student Affairs. She is responsible for oversight of the phase I longitudinal diversity education series and mentoring communities while maintaining a cole role in HBSU/HHC collaborations, DEI retention and recruitment, and providing support to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Education and Training
- Virginia Tech: PhD
- Averett University: MBA
- University of Virginia: BSN
Additional Positions
- Assistant Professor, Health Systems and Implementation Science, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Co-Advisor, Student National Medical Association