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Inclusive Excellence and Opportunity Team

Group photo of the 2025 Inclusive Excellence and Opportunity Team, names listed below.
From left: Azziza (Kemi) Bankole, Stephanie Picado, Angelica Witcher Walker and Sophia Minor.

Contact Us

To contact the Inclusive Excellence and Opportunity team, email InclusiveVTC@vt.edu.

Azziza O. (Kemi) Bankole, MBBS

Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence

540-527-4800
aobankole@vt.edu
Riverside 2 Suite M146

Office Hours: Tuesdays 8am-5pm

Position Responsibilities

The Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence is responsible for programmatic efforts to improve and promote inclusive environments 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 faculty and students and coordinating activities that support the school’s strategic goals for inclusion and access. The Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence leads the development and implementation of policies and initiatives that contribute to building an inclusive 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

  • Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
  • 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

Sophia Minor, MA

PreMed Access Coordinator

sophiam@vt.edu
Riverside 1 Suite 107

Office Hours: weekdays from 8am - 5pm

As the PreMed Access Coordinator, Sophia works closely with the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality & Career Development. She leads several programs, including the VTCSOM Undergraduate Pathway Programs: Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP), The MEDS-Exposure Program (MEDS-E), and year-round national medical student recruitment efforts. Sophia coordinates the Fralin Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Lunch Series and Riverside Chats.

Education and Training

  • Full Sail University: MA
  • Virginia Commonwealth University: BFA

Stephanie Picado

Student Engagement and Pathways Coordinator

spicado@vt.edu
Riverside 1 Suite 107

Office Hours: weekdays from 7am-4pm

As the Student Engagement and Pathways Coordinator, Stephanie serves as a first point-of-contact for the VTCSOM Office of Inclusive Excellence and Opportunity. She works collaboratively with the Association Dean of Inclusive Excellence, the Assistant Dean for Student Vitality & Career Development, and the PreMed Access Coordinator. Stephanie leads the VTCSOM K-12 Pathway Programs: Healthcare Enrichment Learning Program (HELP), Health Professions Enrichment Program (HPEP), & JumpStart, the Bridges into Belonging Series, and local recruitment events. 

Education and Training

  • Liberty University: BS

Angelica Witcher Walker, PhD, MBA

Assistant Dean, Student Vitality & Career Development
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 & Career Development and Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Witcher Walker is responsible for operational 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, mentoring communities, and providing support to the Office of Student Affairs. She maintains a core role in curriculum development, institutional partnerships, student retention, and providing support to the Office of Inclusive Excellence & Opportunity.

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
  • Advisor, Student National Medical Association