Center for Economic and Community Engagement

Project Spotlight

Promoting Careers in Aquaculture

The shellfish industry has always been a huge part of the economy in Virginia’s Northern Neck and middle peninsula regions. It has been difficult, though, to get young people interested in the field. The Promoting Careers in Aquaculture program, a partnership between the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement and Rappahannock Community College, funded by GO Virginia Region 6, introduced high school students to new career paths and gave them hands-on experience interning for oyster companies in the region.

High schoolers get their feet wet in groundbreaking aquaculture program

As part of the Promoting Careers in Aquaculture program, students visited the Acuff Center for Aquaculture at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point. Photo courtesy of Mallory Tuttle.

Solving Problems, Connecting Resources, Engaging Communities

In the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), our center can help connect you with the resources and world-class research of Virginia Tech, engage your community, and turn your ideas into action.

GO Virginia

GO Virginia is a statewide initiative designed to encourage Virginia's economic growth through the creation of high-wage jobs. Discover information about GO Virginia Region 2, including meeting agendas, documentation, and project resources.

Vibrant Virginia

Vibrant Virginia encourages vibrant and flourishing places in every part of the Commonwealth by engaging Virginia Tech faculty and students in place-based community problem-solving.

Region 2 Internship Collaborative

The Region 2 Internship Collaborative bridges the gap between secondary and higher education institutions, their students, and businesses, providing work-based learning opportunities in the New River Valley, the Roanoke-Alleghany region, and the greater Lynchburg region.

US EDA University Center Program

Virginia Tech’s Center for Economic and Community Engagement (CECE), in partnership with Virginia State University (VSU), leads a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center program, to advance regional economic resilience in Virginia.