MENAH PRATT, JD, PhD

I started working at Virginia Tech, 7 years ago on this date, February 1, 2016.

I started reflecting on how far we have come as an institution. Seven years, in the Christian tradition, as well as in astrology, and indigenous perspectives, is a time period that represents a milestone. After seven years, there is a need for rest, recuperation, and reflection. I have been reflecting on my 7th year anniversary at Virginia Tech and I feel deeply honored to be part of the Hokie community.

We still have a ways to go with our work in diversity, but we have much to celebrate, even as I see ever more gray on my Black hair.

7 years ago at Virginia Tech,

1. There were no directors of cultural centers and only student organization spaces.  Today, at Virginia Tech, we have 5 centers with directors: the Black Cultural Center, the APIDA+ Center, the Native American and Indigenous Community Center, El Centro (Latinx/Hispanic Center, and the Pride Center. We also have a director for the Solitude and Fraction Family Home.
2. There were no living-learning communities focused on the LGBTQ community, the African-American experience, and first-generation students. Today, there is the Lavender House, the Ujima Living-Learning Community, and Generation One.
3. There was no requirement that students take courses on issues of diversity, equity, and identity. Today, there are undergraduate and graduate student curricular requirements.
4. There was no Black College Institute to support the recruitment of academically curious and high achieving students interested in the African-American experience.  Today, almost 600 students come to Virginia Tech every summer through BCI, increasing the entering class from 3.8% to 8.9%.
5. There were two buildings on campus with the names of individuals who were supporters of racism and White supremacy.  Today, those buildings have been renamed Janie and William Hoge Hall, in honor of the Black family that housed the first 8 Black students and James Whitehurst Hall, in honor of the first Black student and member of the BOV to live on campus.
6. There was no Council on Virginia Tech History to support unearthing hidden stories of underrepresented communities. Today, because of the work of the Council, there is public art on the site of Solitude and Fraction Family and seven two-sided historical markers across campus.
7. There was no SOAR office (Student Opportunity and Achievement Resources) to provide coaching for underrepresented students across campus. Today, the office collaborates with colleges to support academic and personal success of students.
8. There were no diversity officers in colleges across campus. Today, every college has a diversity officer or director, and many administrative units have diversity liaisons.
9. There was no digital badging program for diversity education and today there are numerous online courses available for diversity education.
10. There was no White Allies as Transformational Leaders Program and today almost 60 department heads and leaders have completed the year-long curriculum.
11. There was no Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Pow-wow on campus. Today, there is an annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognition and celebration of Pow-wow.
12. The Faculty Women of Color in the Academy National Conference was not hosted by Virginia Tech.  Today, Virginia Tech will be hosting the 11^th Annual conference in Arlington, Virginia. The FWCA also hosts year around Healing Hours to provide opportunities for women of color to connect, support, and empower each other throughout the year.
13. There were no alumni societies for diverse communities.  Today, we have the Black Alumni Society, the APIDA society, the Latinx society, and the Native American Society, and Ex Lapide for the LGBTQ community.
14. There was no land acknowledgment and labor recognition statement. Today we have a land acknowledgement statement and labor recognition statement.
15. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine did not have a Center for Inclusion. Today, the center supports the Health Sciences and Technology campus in Roanoke.
16. The Office for Inclusion and Diversity had 3 people.  Today, the office has almost 30 team members, numerous graduate students, and many undergraduate students who support the work of diversity.
17. There was no HBCU/MSI Summit to host and collaborate with diverse institutions. Today, there is an annual summit with over 20 partners, supporting graduate student recruitment and research collaborations.
18. InclusiveVT was an undefined list of initiatives.  Today, InclusiveVT is the institutional and individual commitment to Ut Prosim (that I may serve) in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence.
19. There was no strategic plan incorporating diversity. Today, the Virginia Tech Advancing Beyond Boundaries Strategic Plan includes the Ut Prosim Difference and metrics related to diversity and inclusion.
20. There was only a Future Faculty Development Program. Today, we have a Future Faculty Diversity Program supporting a core value of having a diverse teaching and research faculty, resulting in a significant increase in diverse faculty at Virginia Tech.
21. There was no Diverse Professionals Network of Roanoke and New River Valleys. Today, the DPN hosts events throughout the year to support recruitment and retention of diverse professionals in the region.
22. There was no Denim Day or Transgender Day of Rememberance. Today, those events are hosted annually, as well as LGBTQ month and PRIDE week, to affirm and celebrate the LGBTQ community,
23. There was no Lunar New Year celebration on campus. Today, not only is there a celebration of Lunar New Year, APIDA history month is celebrated every year.
24. There was no Latinx Symposium to recognize the scholarship of the Latinx community. This year, the 4th annual Latinx Symposium will be held and each year, the campus recognizes and celebrates Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.
25. There was no mural in the Black Cultural Center. Today, there is a beautiful mural in the Black Cultural Center and also a large photograph of Janie Hoge, the Black woman who housed and fed and cared for the first 8 Black students to attend Virginia Tech, beginning in 1953.
26. There was no Juneteenth observance on campus. Virginia Tech now observes Juneteenth at the site of Solitude and Fraction Family home.
27. There was no InclusiveVT YouTube channel with videos from programs including Unfinished Conversation Series or Making the Chair Fit Series. Today, the InclusiveVT YouTube Channel has almost 50 archival program videos.
28. There was no award recognizing Dr. Zenobia Hikes and her amazing leadership at Virginia Tech. Today, the Dr. Zenobia Hikes award is annually awarded as part of the Faculty Women of Color in the Academy National Conference.
29. There was less awareness about the challenges that exist for people with disabilities at Virginia Tech. Today, there is a greater awareness and more intentionally towards ensuring that the campus is accessible for all students, faculty, and staff.
30. There was no cohesive enrollment strategy to support the recruitment of diverse students. Today, there is a comprehensive strategy to support our land grant mission of providing education broadly to our most economically vulnerable and racially diverse students.

I’m looking forward to the next 7 years. I found a few photos that reflect how amazing and incredible it is to be part of such a powerful, committed, and devoted campus.