Virginia Western Community College’s Amy White

Amy White

Tom Field

Be where you need to be

By Tom Field

Valley Business FRONT introduces Amy White, an advisory board member representing the education sector.

Amy White has a confession. She was reluctant to take her first position at Virginia Western Community College. Why? She already loved where she was and what she was doing. “I had my dream job,” White begins. “Even though I never initially set out to be in college administration, I loved science and I loved the college environment. I had this position at JMU and it was

just where I needed to be.”

But living in Botetourt County (Buchanan), her commute was about two hours one way; and she was also a single mom with two small children. A position opened at Virginia Western Community College, and she took it.

“I was happy at JMU,” White says. “But I reluctantly took the Virginia Western position. In the back of my mind, I was thinking I was leaving a university position that a lot of people dream about… including me.”

And then something happened.

“One week on the job, and I realized how shallow that kind of thinking was… Here [at VWCC] I could do much more. Here’s where I could make an impact.”

White says Virginia Western is much more nimble than many universities. She knows the students. In short, since 2003 when she “reluctantly” joined the staff, she now has a “new” dream job.

“We can listen here,” White continues. “And we want to listen. We’re able to change to meet the needs of the community.”

White likes how Virginia Western serves multiple populations of students.

“On the one hand, we have our transfer programs, offering four-year opportunities to students who may not have had access to that; and on the other hand, we’re a direct pipeline to the workforce, for students to enter the workplace right away, with a good living wage.”

White wants people to know Virginia Western Community College “is open for business.” She’s emphatic that COVID is “not shutting us down.”

“Some things are more difficult,” White confesses. “We are addressing the best ways to have engagement in the learning process. But above it all, we are encouraging growth. We can reach more with our technology; and today, more than ever, education is truly attainable.”

“IN BRIEF”

NAME: Amy White

POSITION: Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Virginia Western Community College

EDUCATION: James Madison University: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, minor in English; Virginia Commonwealth University: Master’s in Microbiology and Immunology

BACKGROUND: Birthplace: Roanoke, VA; lifelong resident of Buchanan; James River High School; worked in toxicology consulting; on a whim, began teaching at Hollins University and loved it (12 years), and back to JMU (2 years); Took her first position at Virginia Western Community College as Biology Instructor (2003), advanced to program head, assistant dean, and Dean.

ASSOCIATIONS: American Society for Microbiology, state chapter secretary; Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce board member and Botetourt YMCA board member; Buchanan Presbyterian Church leadership council; active with local agricultural organizations (FFA, 4H).

PERSONAL: Age: 55; Married (to Corbin White); 2 Children (daughter Lindsey at Veterinarian School, University of Georgia; son Davis at Graduate School of Poultry Science at University of Georgia).

INTERESTS: Gardening (“I’m a farmers market junkie.”)

White cites an example of just one improved setting under the pandemic:

“We’re still innovative. Just this semester, we set up a series of ‘Computer Science/ IT Scholars’ lectures on Wednesdays where we have IT professionals [from local leading institutions] present for 45 minutes, followed by a robust Q&A that also takes 45 minutes. These are great; the students are very engaged.”

White concludes with a simple idea that education at VWCC “complements who and what you are.”

She’s where she needs to be to accomplish that; summed up in three familiar words.

Ameriprise Financial / Christine Smith .................... 55 Anytime Fitness..................... 20 Aztec Rental ........................ 31 Bank of Botetourt................ 50-51 Berryfield .......................... 55 Brown Hound Tree Service........... 55 Carilion Clinic....................... BC Citizens ............................ 57 Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia ........... 35 Davis H. Elliot Company ............. 55 Entre Computer Center .............. 59 Freedom First Credit Union ........... 2 Garland Properties / Crafteria........ 27 Richfield Living ..................... 39 Roanoke Higher Education Center .... 3 Salem Health & Rehabilitation Center............... 21 Simmons Landscaping .............. 43 Sponsor Hounds / Dr. Pepper Park.... 62 Virginia Business Systems ........... 63 Virginia Western Community College ................. 5 Virginia Tech Moss Arts Center . . . . . . . 53 Wine Gourmet ...................... 26

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