Presenter Biographies

Presenting in 2024:

• Keys to PD Engagement Strategies

Alyson Bryson is a Coordinator and Training Specialist on the Fiscal Training Team for Financial Management. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies from Radford University. She then earned a Master of Education degree from Western Governors University in learning and technology. Prior to joining the Fiscal Training Team, she taught middle school math for five years. Alyson uses her prior experience to provide meaningful learning experiences in the fiscal training program specializing in technology and data analytics.

Presenting in 2024:

• Co-Laboring for Innovative Problem Solving

Amy M. Hogan, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Managing Consultant of the Organizational Excellence team at Virginia Tech. She joined this team early in 2023, and in this role has led the launch of the university’s change management efforts as well as building internal capacity to consult with senior leaders on complex strategic initiatives and supporting leaders in designing and implementing strategies and solutions that aim at resolving complex issues in the operation of the university.

Amy is a certified Huthwaite International training facilitator, a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator practitioner, a certified Emotional Quotient Inventory practitioner, a certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional.

Amy holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech, with minors in Sociology and Music.

Amy came to Virginia Tech as Employee Relations Specialist in the Human Resources department in May 2006. In September 2007 she joined University Organizational and Professional Development as the Leadership and Professional Development Consultant and moved into the role of Assistant Director for Organization Development in July 2008. In that role, she was responsible for providing organization development consulting services to groups within Virginia Tech seeking to address organizational, leadership, and team effectiveness issues, as well as supporting the design and delivery of leadership and faculty professional development opportunities.

Amy joined the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost in the role of Assistant Provost for Leadership Initiatives in May 2012, where she then served for 11 years. While in that role, she made significant contributions to initiatives relating to academic leadership development, including senior-level searches and evaluations, leadership coaching and consulting, and academic leader development programs and initiatives. Amy also helped to create the ACC Academic Leaders Network and served for 6 years as the chair of the steering team of this cross-institutional program that brings together professionals from all 15 schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Amy has built nearly 30 years of experience in organizational development, training, leadership development, and human resources roles and has held leadership positions in the public sector as well as automotive manufacturing, financial services, and media publishing industries. In these roles, Amy has built solid experience in providing internal organizational consulting, building and implementing a variety of training and development curricula, career counseling, and building management and leadership development programs.

Amy lives in Blacksburg with her husband Eric and children Marissa, Jessica, Jake, and Daniel.

Presenting in 2024:

• Leveraging Creative Commons Licenses for Work, Learning, and Play

Anita Walz is Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Open Education in the University Libraries. She founded and directs the Open Education Initiative which works with faculty, staff, and students to create freely-available, openly-licensed learning resources and other approaches that promote access, affordability, and reduce barriers to achievement.

Presenting in 2024:

• Leading from Within: An Exploration of the Virtue of Humility

Dr. Austin Council serves as a collegiate assistant professor of leadership in the Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education Department at Virginia Tech. He teaches undergraduate leadership courses, oversees the Minor in Leadership and Social Change, and works as a liaison for the Leadership and Social Change Residential College. A three-time graduate of the University of Florida, Dr. Council was born and grew up in Bradenton, Florida. 

Presenting in 2024:

• Welcome and Announcements

Bryan Gary, Vice President for Human Resources, has over 25 years of HR and organizational development experience. 

As part of the HR team at Virginia Tech, he is spearheading change that will position HR to better support a growing and changing university, helping to create a work environment and experience for all faculty and staff to develop and thrive in support of our bold Beyond Boundaries vision.

Bryan has a bachelor of arts degree (magna cum laude) from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a master of fine arts degree from the University of Virginia, and a master of sciences degree in management from the University of Florida.

A native of Baltimore, Bryan has spent the last 30 years working as a professional actor and director, educator, and HR professional. His HR experience includes work with a nonprofit startup, a Fortune 100 company, and higher education.  Bryan is certified as a Professional in Human Resources through the Society of Human Resources Management and has been a featured speaker at state, regional, and national conferences of human resources and higher education.

Over the years, Bryan has lived in Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Gainesville, and Charlottesville and is happy to be part of the Hokie Nation.

Presenting in 2024:

• Transforming Federal Work Study at Virginia Tech

Cary G. Wright is the Associate Director for Compliance, Reporting, and Training in the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid. She helps manage the Federal Work-Study Program at Virginia Tech. When she is not working, she is thinking about work, and not relaxing!

Presenting in 2024:

• Engaging Campus Through Experiential Learning

Cody Smith joined the staff of Virginia Tech Career and Professional Development in October 2021. Cody is an alumnus of Virginia Tech, and currently oversees the Federal Work Study Off Campus Internship program.

Before bringing his passions to Career and Professional Development at Virginia Tech, Cody served as the Training Specialist for Virginia Tech Dining Services where he worked with student management and new student employees to conduct their onboarding. Cody welcomes any opportunity to get to know students, and help them find their passion through experiential learning opportunities.

Presenting in 2024:

• Generative AI and Accessible Course Design

Daron Williams is the Director of Instructional Design & Development for Technology-enhanced Learning & Online Strategies (TLOS). In this role, he works with faculty and administration to plan, design, and build engaging technology-enhanced courses and programs. He and his team also consult with faculty about effective teaching with technology, and facilitate faculty professional development around topics in the same realm.

Presenting in 2024:

• Generative AI and Accessible Course Design

Donna Fortune, an assistant professor of practice in the School of Education. Her principal areas of research focus include listening literacy, pre-service teachers, reading literacy, and lesson study.

Presenting in 2024:

• Transforming Federal Work Study at Virginia Tech

Elissa Waybright is the Assistant Director of Federal Work-Study and Compliance in the University Scholarships and Financial Aid Office and Virginia Tech as of March 2024 after working within their office as the program specialist over Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) since 2022. Elissa is also a proud Virginia Tech alum with a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management (’09).

Presenting in 2024:

• Let's Meet to NOT Meet ... OR at Least have Better Meetings

Greg A. Beecher, PhD., SPHR, SHRM-SCP is powered by the belief that every individual is gifted with talents and purpose. He strives to create learning opportunities that help to strategically connect individuals, teams, and organizations to a meaningful purpose. He is passionate about developing people and communication practices that exceed individual and organizational goals.

Greg possesses 30+ years of experience in higher education, human resource management, and consulting non-profit organizations. Greg holds a BS in Communication and Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University, an MA in Organizational and Professional Communication Development from Ball State University, and a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University. He possesses SPHR and SHRM-SCP human resource certifications and is certified to facilitate and interpret various assessment tools on change, conflict, emotional intelligence, and personalities. He currently serves as the Director of Talent Development at Virginia Tech.

Greg is a husband, father to four amazing kids, dog lover, passionate about the arts, educator, and lifelong learner who desires to develop communities. If not doing or enjoying one of the above, you can typically find him doing or planning landscape gardening projects.

Presenting in 2024:

• Creating Spaces: Accessibility 101 for the Physical Environment

Joseph Cooley is the Virginia Campus ADA Architect and has a rich background as a licensed architect and an active member of the Accessibility Professionals Association. He is also IAAP Core Competency Certified, showcasing his commitment to excellence in accessibility and inclusion.

With over 30 years of architectural experience, with 5 years dedicated to accessibility, Joseph has played a crucial role in numerous campus accessibility improvements, demonstrating his expertise and passion for creating inclusive environments.

Beyond his professional achievements, Joseph is an artist, musician, and an avid supporter of social justice projects, reflecting his deep commitment to making a positive impact in both his professional and personal life.

Presenting in 2024:

• Engaging Campus Through Experiential Learning

Julia is a lifelong Hokie and alumna of Virginia Tech where she studied Human Development and minored in Psychology. She graduated with her Master's in Counselor Education from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019 where she concentrated her studies in College Student Development and Counseling. Julia previously served as a Career Advisor at Virginia Commonwealth University where she directly interacted with students and campus partners through one-on-one advising and programming.

In July of 2021, Julia returned to Virginia Tech to serve as the Assistant Director of Professional Development and Experiential Programs at Virginia Tech Career and Professional Development where she manages an on-campus internship program called Campus internEXP. Julia has been a member of VACE since 2019 and has enjoyed the opportunity to present on topics she is passionate about as well as build relationships with other career professionals in Virginia.

Presenting in 2024:

• Generative AI and Accessible Course Design

Ms. Kelli Karcher conducts research in orderable group theory, studying the cardinality of the space of orders on solvable groups. She loves teaching, and her favorite classes to teach are Discrete Mathematics and Applied Combinatorics.

Presenting in 2024:

• Keys to PD Engagement Strategies

Kelsey Huffman is a Coordinator and Training Specialist on the Fiscal Training Team for Financial Management. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Education Specialist degree. Kelsey taught math in grades 6 - 12 then moved to a technology resource position, helping teachers and students use technology in the classroom.

On the Fiscal Training Team, she uses her background in Math education, technology instruction, and adult education to assist the team with content development and new technology resources.

Presenting in 2024:

• Is Training Really the Answer? Determining How Best to Address Performance Gaps

Larry Cox currently works as a Sr. Instructional Designer at Virginia Tech and has been working in Instructional Design (ID) for 10 years. Larry holds a MA in Instructional Design at Virginia Tech and recently completed his PhD in May. Prior to working in ID, he worked in IT as a network and system administrator. Outside of work you can usually find him rock climbing, drinking lots of coffee or enjoying a good beer with family & friends.

Presenting in 2024:

• Engage with the PDN Network to Elevate Your Professional Development
• Making Learning Visible: Digital Badges for Professional Development

Marc has been involved in professional development surrounding technology at Virginia Tech since the last century, when we were still trying to figure out what use email would ever be to us. He is very interested in learner-centered pedagogies and self-directed learning, knowing that most learners are smarter than they let on in traditional environments.

Presenting in 2024:

• Leveraging Read&Write and OrbitNote: Removing Barriers to Success

Mark Nichols is the Senior Director of Universal Design and Accessible Technologies within Technology Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS). Removing digital access barriers is his jam. He is passionate about creating inclusive and accessible learning environments. Mark is an active member of the National Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Center Advisory Committee, Ex Officio member of the Virginia Higher Education Accessibility Partners (VHEAP).

Presenting in 2024:

• We are ALL Agents of Change

Megan M. Seibel, Ph.D., R.N. is the founding director of the VALOR Program at Virginia Tech, which is dedicated to fostering leadership and capacity building for Virginia’s largest private industries. As an Extension Specialist, Dr. Seibel offers experiential program content around leadership best practices in education, workplace, and grassroots organizational settings and leads training content around facilitation and strategic planning. She promotes stakeholder development and advocacy as outcomes of decision-making and problem-solving leadership around complex issues.

Dr. Seibel is the Director for the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving (CCPS) at Virginia Tech and an Associate Fellow of the Occupational Research Centre in the U.K. Dr. Seibel utilizes the KAI with the coaching of educational supervisors, practitioners, community leaders, and student organizations to enhance effectiveness in program and service delivery.

Between October 2016 and January 2018, Dr. Seibel took administrative leave from the university to serve as Virginia Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry in the Governor’s office, where she oversaw industry studies and development of proposed policy for the secretariat while supporting food and health-related initiatives. She is a graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Her background and expertise in healthcare, career, technical education, and outreach educational programming invigorate her passion for community development and considering complex issues that incorporate all three of these paradigms. A co-author of numerous publications related to leadership and community programs, Dr. Seibel uses scholarship as a way to bring ideas to life through practical application.

Megan received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from James Madison University, her Master of Science in Career and Technical Education from Virginia Tech, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Extension Education from Virginia Tech.

Presenting in 2024:

• LEx: The Leadership Excellence Program

Michelle Carter joined the Talent Development team in the Division of Human Resources in February 2023.

Her first role at Virginia Tech was in the Office for Inclusion and Diversity as the Director of Diversity Engagement. Before joining Virginia Tech, Michelle was part of the career services department at the Virginia Commonwealth College of Engineering. She served as an instructor for a professional development, internship, and co-op classes. In that role, Michelle developed an interest in inclusive pedagogy, adult learning theory, and universal design for learning.

Prior to joining VCU, Michelle worked as a non-profit executive in rural southwestern Virginia and taught at a small business college.

She earned a Master's degree from West Virginia University and undergraduate degree from Fairmont State University.

Michelle lives in Blacksburg and shares her life with her human family, one wriggly puppy, and one ornery cat.

Presenting in 2024:

• LEx: The Leadership Excellence Program

Presenting in 2024:

• Transforming Federal Work Study at Virginia Tech

Myla Gao is a sophomore student at Virginia Tech pursuing a double major in Corporate Financial Management and Marketing. She currently serves as the Virginia Tech Student Employment Project and Event Coordinator in the Career and Professional Development office.

Presenting in 2024:

• Transforming Federal Work Study at Virginia Tech

Nicci Ratcliff is an Associate Director for Processing Operations in the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid at Virginia Tech. She completed her Bachelor of Health and Exercise Science from Roanoke College in 2012.

After getting married and moving to Radford, VA, Nicci started working in her first financial aid role at Radford University. However, after almost four years, she decided to switch, and in 2017, she joined Virginia Tech. Initially, she began in an entry-level position but was soon promoted to a supervisory role due to her valuable contributions and suggestions for improvement. In her previous role, she oversaw the Federal Work-Study program, completed federal reporting, supervised Tech's participation in the Federal Work-Study experiment, and supported her compliance team.

Nicci currently lives in the New River Valley with her husband, Wes, their son, Xander, and daughter, Skylar. When she is not working or spending time with her family, Nicci works out or trains local youth in basketball fundamentals with her training company, Solid Seven, and her basketball partner.

Presenting in 2024:

• Generative AI and Accessible Course Design

Jingrong Pearl Xie, Director of Universal Design for Learning & Accessibility Services at Virginia Tech, supports and promotes inclusive, universally designed, and accessible learning experiences. Her research interests include using UDL principles and emerging technology to support students with disabilities in postsecondary STEM, faculty development, and online learning.

Presenting in 2024:

• Surfing the Waves of Change

You know how conflict occurs everywhere?

Through personalized coaching and guidance, Virginia Tech University Ombuds Mauricio “Reese” Ramos strives to empower Hokies to navigate beyond problems to options & strategies that may resolve their challenges. He also offers training in conflict management and communication strategies.

Reese is an active member of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA) and is a two-term past president of the IOA Board. He has facilitated ombuds trainings at previous conferences and has written on topics such as leadership, conflict management, and communication.

After graduating from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, he completed a specialized 15-unit certificate program in dispute resolution at Pepperdine School of Law’s Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law. He has supplemented his extensive education with several hundred hours of mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and diversity training.

Reese has been an Ombuds for the past two decades, helping over 10,000 individuals and hundreds of teams. Prior to joining Virginia Tech as its inaugural University Ombuds, Reese launched the Ombuds program at Earthjustice, provided Ombuds contract services for the National Parks Service, and was a Corporate Ombuds Office at Sandia National Laboratories for over 12 years. He initially began his career as an Ombudsperson at UCLA in 2001. In the past, he has also been a mediator with Marin County Mediation Services and was in private practice, where he mediated disputes for Mosten Mediation Centers, the Los Angeles Superior Court, various community mediation groups, and SquareTrade, an online mediation internet company.

Presenting in 2024:

• Making Learning Visible: Digital Badges for Professional Development

Sarah Dreier is a Talent Development and Creative Engagement Specialist within the Talent Development team. In this role, she works with individuals and teams on their development. She holds many certifications including SHRM-CP, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, and MBTI, Situational Leadership, and Crucial Conversations Certified Facilitator.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Science degree from Guilford College and is currently working on her Masters of Arts in Education/Instructional Design and Technology. 

Presenting in 2024:

• Universal PowerPoint

S.B. “Chandler” Chandler, Ph.D. is the 508 Compliance and Digital Accessibility Officer in the Office of Equity and Accessibility where he works closely with TLOS Accessible Technologies. He holds IAAP’s Certified Professional in Web Accessibility.

Chandler has over 25 years of undergraduate and graduate teaching experience at Virginia Tech. His professional consulting experience spans health care, publishing, non-profits, and education. Much of his early work was at Apple, Adobe, NASA, and for the federal government. Chandler’s expertise in user experience, web design, electronic publishing, and programming provide a base for his digital accessibility evaluation, advocacy, and compliance analysis.

Presenting in 2024:

• Making Learning Visible: Digital Badges for Professional Development

Shelley Seckers is the Assistant Director of Financial Management. Shelley has led the Fiscal Training Team in developing and implementing the Fiscal Training program for the past four years. Before joining the team, Shelley worked for Mining and Minerals Engineering where she assisted with daily departmental operations, and before joining Virginia Tech, she was a teacher for 14 years.

Shelley has a Bachelor of Science degree from Longwood University, and a Master of Arts degree in Educational/Instructional Technology. She recently completed a Project Management Certificate Program with the University of Hawaii.

Presenting in 2024:

• Supporting Accessibility and Inclusion for VT Students: Information and Strategies from a Disability Studies Perspective

Victoria Lael is an Instructor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Victoria enjoys teaching HD 1134: Introduction to Disability Studies, in addition to other courses. She also is an academic advisor and faculty advisor to the HDFS Student Association.