Karen Eley Sanders serves as the associate vice provost for college access at Virginia Tech. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Virginia State University, a Ph.D. in adult and developmental education from the University of Arkansas, and a developmental education specialist certificate from the Kellogg Institute at Appalachian State University.

Sanders has worked at Virginia Tech for 24 years, specializing in student success for undergraduates.

In her role with college access, she works with Virginia Cooperative Extension, 4-H programs, 24 partner schools around the state, and other colleagues across Virginia Tech. Her work specifically focuses on increasing academic preparation, access, and affordability for first-generation and low-income students from rural and inner-city communities.

1. What is your proudest achievement over the course of your career?

The achievements I’m most proud of are the student success and scholarship programs I’ve helped to create and lead. These programs have helped to increase college access, affordability, and student success at Virginia Tech.

2. What do you like most about your role as associate vice provost for college access at Virginia Tech?

What I like most is being able to make a difference in the lives of young people, assisting them to and through college, and then helping them do something meaningful after they graduate.

3. What projects are you currently working on at Virginia Tech?

The project taking most of my time right now relates to State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) funded projects that fall under the Pell Initiative for Virginia umbrella. All of the projects focus on attracting students to Virginia Tech, enrolling low-income students who receive the federal Pell grant, and working with colleagues on campus to plug students into the success structure to ensure they will graduate from Virginia Tech.

I also work with our 24 partner schools on planning and implementing outreach, engagement, and enrichment experiences for students. Though College Access’ focus is on high school students, we also engage with middle school students and partner with folks on and off campus who provide enrichment and college exposure activities to elementary school students.

4. What do you like most about serving on the Virginia Tech Council on Vibrant Virginia?

I enjoy connecting with like-minded professionals who want to uplift all Virginians. I have made some good connections that help to facilitate the success of my work as well as the work of the other people I engage with.

5. What projects would you like to work on with CECE in the future?

I would like to identify more opportunities to connect to CECE council members and CECE work around the commonwealth that aligns with our efforts to enhance educational access and educational equity in Virginia.

6. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Dr. David Ford, who hired me at Virginia Tech, told me not to be afraid to get involved with projects where I don’t necessarily have expertise. He emphasized the importance of learning and figuring out how I can enhance the work my team and I are doing through new connections.

7. What hobbies and activities do you like to do in your spare time?

I like spending time with friends, my husband and two adult children, and extended family. I also like to shop, cook holiday meals, and visit different locations in the U.S. with family.

8. What is a book you have read recently that you would recommend?

I am currently reading The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton with our church study group.

9. What is the most memorable place you have ever visited?

During the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Senegal and The Gambia in Africa. It was my first time visiting the continent of Africa. It was most memorable for me, one, because I’m an African American, and two, because it has helped me see how we have so advanced in the United States. It was also memorable because it highlighted for me the privilege I have, because there’s a lot of poverty in Africa. I saw the higher echelons of culture there as well as the most impoverished. It reminded me of why I do the work I do and why the work CECE does in economic development is so important. It shows that we need to be connecting with one another to assist developing communities so they can help themselves.