Lunch & Learn

The Virginia Tech Newport News Center will offer Virtual Quarterly Lunch & Learn Sessions in 2026! These sessions will be from noon-1 p.m. on Zoom and are free and open to the public.  

Sessions Topics 

December 8, 2026 - Mentorship & Sponsorship: Securing Your Champions led by Susan E. Short, Senior Associate Vice President for Outreach and International Affairs.  Do you have a personal board of directors that support your life’s growth journey and shape you as a leader? Join Susan E. Short to explore the benefits of constructing a strong mentoring system to help you achieve your professional and personal goals.

Register for the December Session

Former 2026 Quarterly Lunch & Learn Sessions 

March 10, 2026 - AI & The Future Of Workforce Development led by Sarah Rodriguez, Assoicate Professor, Engineering Education at Virignia Tech.  This Lunch & Learn explores how AI workforce development can better meet the needs of diverse learners, with a particular focus on the pivotal role higher education institutions play in opening doors to high‑demand technology fields. Grounded in research supported through a Microsoft AI Economy Institute Senior Fellowship, it examines emerging models such as micro-credentials, stackable certificates, and short‑cycle programs—alongside early evidence and student experiences—to show how institutions can build equitable on‑ramps to data, automation, and applied AI careers for a much broader population of learners.

June 8, 2026 - Execl Made Easy: Data and Visuals led by Barb Fraticelli, Associate Professor of Practice, Business Information Technology Department at Virginia Tech.  If you work with data—even occasionally—you know how quickly spreadsheets can become overwhelming. This session is designed to help you move from basic usage to more efficient, polished, and impactful Excel work.  This interactive workshop will cover:  Practical ways to organize, and streamline your data, Techniques to build clear, professional visuals (charts, dashboards, and summaries) and tips to save time with formulas, formatting, and shortcuts. 

September 8, 2026 - Leadership Under Pressure led by Wendy Glass, Adjunct Professor of Practice, Management Department at Virginia Tech.  This Lunch & Learn will explores how pressure and stress influence leadership behavior and communication, often in ways leaders do not realize. Participants learn why strong leaders can struggle under pressure, how default responses show up at work, and practical strategies for staying grounded, clear, and effective when stakes are high.