Triumph Together 2023

The Office of Student-Athlete Development is committed to ensuring a first-class experience for Hokie student-athletes. With a holistic focus on career, personal, and leadership development, plus a commitment to community outreach and diversity and inclusion, Virginia Tech student-athletes are provided with a foundation for success at the university and beyond.

“The support the Office of Student-Athlete Development receives from generous Hokie donors makes a direct impact on our student-athletes daily. Your gift allows us to enhance the personal development, career development and leadership development programming we provide and helps us to continue our mission of developing today’s champions to become tomorrow’s leaders. Thank you for your continued investment in the lives of our Hokie student-athletes during their time at Virginia Tech and beyond.” - Natalie Wimmer, Assistant Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development

YOUR support during Triumph Together will go to the following areas:

Career Development

Provide opportunities for student-athletes to explore majors and career paths, develop networking and interview skills, and prepare them for professional life beyond athletics at Virginia Tech.

Programs – The Career Gameplan is made up of four key plays: Career 101, Resume Remix, Career Jumpstart, and Beyond VT. Upon successful completion of this program, student-athletes receive a complimentary customized business suit to help launch their career!

Personal Development

Create spaces for student-athletes to develop life skills necessary for successful transitions into and out of college, with a focus on mental health programming and community outreach.

Programs – THRIVE, in collaboration with the Office of Counseling and Athletic Mental Performance (CAMP), creates environments for student-athletes to focus on mental health and wellbeing through connection, discussion, and community-building. Past THRIVE events include the annual THRIVE Summit and Rookie Training Camps.

Community outreach efforts, offered department-wide and team-by-team, provide opportunities for student-athletes to serve their community on a campus, local, and national level.

Leadership Development

Cultivate leaders on and off the field through focusing on character development and implementation of key skills that drive individuals and teams to succeed.

Programs – The VT Athletics Leadership Institute encompasses the Next Level Leadership Academy (a three-year progressive leadership program for select student-athletes), the Leadership Culture speaker series, and experiential leadership opportunities like the Washington, D.C. Summer Immersion Trip.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a leadership group that serves as the voice of Virginia Tech student-athletes, providing insight on their experience and policies that affect student-athletes at the local, conference, and national levels. The group also puts on a variety of events throughout the school year, including the end-of-year awards show, The Gobblers.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Provide student-athletes with opportunities to build community and grow personally, while celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion and a sense of belonging.

Programs – Hokies All. In. provides space to share experiences, discuss relevant issues, and learn the value of diversity and inclusion through programs like town hall discussions, civic engagement, and social justice initiatives. Hokies All. In. also partners with VT SAAC celebrate diversity in conjunction with the ACC’s Unity Weeks.