Board of Visitors Student Representatives
Arlane Gordon-Bray
Undergraduate Representative to the
Board of Visitors
I am sincerely honored to serve as the undergraduate representative to the board, and to receive the confidence that has been placed in me to serve. I am equally humbled and anxious in my commitment to the board, charging me to represent some of the world's most intelligent, gifted, and passionate students.
As we all know Virginia Tech is unexplainably like no place else in the world. It is very hard for people outside of our community to understand our charismatic enthusiasm to be a member of the Hokie nation; moreover, it is difficult to explain how we manage to remain a universal leader from the microcosm that is Blacksburg, Va. Although, it is incomprehensible to those outside of our community, we understand that it is our passion and commitment to service that drives us to lead across any scope. It is that passion and commitment of our community, more specifically the undergraduate community, that drives me in this position.
In my last three years here at Virginia Tech I have taken advantage of the various service and leadership opportunities through my work as a resident advisor, an executive member of the Alliance of Concerned Students, undergraduate research, and countless other opportunities. My involvement on this campus with various groups, campus leaders, and administration has allowed me to realize that each student has a devotion to serving in some capacity and their constant input goes into making this university the best that it can be. I have been instilled with a commitment to help the students that I come in contact with to achieve their goals driven by their passions and see that they have the same opportunities that I have had here.
As the undergraduate representative I am dedicated to conveying student passions and concerns to the board; moreover, I will also represent the board's commitment to my undergraduate community. I am going to utilize every available resource so that I can make sure every student has their chance to get their voice heard and their issue addressed.
Sincerely,
Arlane Gordon-Bray
Undergraduate Representative to the Board of Visitors
757-944-1259
Linsey M. Barker 
Graduate Representative to the
Board of Visitors
My name is Linsey Barker and I am a Ph.D. candidate in Industrial and Systems Engineering. And, I love Virginia Tech. The opportunities available to graduate students are countless and have enabled me to grow as a scholar, a leader, a researcher, and a citizen. Thus, it should not come as a surprise that I am a true believer in our university motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), and have strived to make it a fundamental part of my graduate experience. It is this desire to serve which motivates me in my role as your 2008-2009 Board of Vistors grad representative.
As graduate students, you are an integral part of the university and the development of new knowledge, ideas, research, and scholarship. In recent years, graduate education at Virginia Tech has become truly global with research facilities and academic centers opening around the world. In this global graduate community, it is critical that students, faculty, staff, and administrators take the initiative to work together in order to provide a rich learning environment that attracts and retains outstanding graduate students. I implore you to be an active member of our community.
Virginia Tech has given me more than I ever could have imagined in opportunity, experience, and friendship. However, I believe in a philosophy of continuous improvement and know that we can continue to transform graduate education. The actions that we take now will help to shape this university and invent its future. As the Board of Visitors graduate rep, I can positively affect change and act as a conduit of ideas and concerns between the Board and graduate students. I look forward to representing you in the next year and working with you to continue to improve and build our community and the legacy we leave behind.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss ideas you may have to improve your experience as a graduate student. I look forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Linsey Barker
Graduate Representative to the Board of Visitors
540-231-1726