Collegiate Times

Ed Spencer hasn't recovered yet. But anyone who walks into his office wouldn't know it.

 Though laidback, Spencer is by all standards a professional man who comes to work in a suit and newly polished black shoes. He's earned a large office on the Virginia Tech campus, a long room layered with books, pictures of his family and lines of awards.

After 25 years at Tech, Spencer looks at his computer screen through a huge magnifying lens that's attached to the top of it. He will retire in about three years, but from a new office. After the death of Vice President for Student Affairs Zenobia Hikes, University Provost Mark McNamee asked Spencer to take over the vacant position.

Though Spencer is glad to receive the opportunity, he can't speak many words about his predecessor with dry eyes. When asked whether her work as vice president was an inspiration to him, he could only nod.

"I can't talk about her without tearing up," he said

"The circumstances that I come into this position are just bittersweet," Spencer said. "It's an opportunity for me to carry forward her plans and leave my own mark on the university."

Spencer heartily proclaimed his similarities to the late Hikes, saying that they had "remarkably similar views." "In many ways, her agenda has always been my agenda," Spencer said. "I think she was very committed to the principles of community, as am I. She and I both have been focused on making sure that we have a welcoming community for everyone. She cared very deeply about students, and I have always had a students-first philosophy and approach in whatever I have done."

They also both graduated from the University of Delaware, where Spencer received both an M.A. and Ph.D in social psychology. This marked the conclusion of a long line of education. Spencer received a B.A. in psychology from the University of Rochester and an M.A. in student personnel administration in higher education from Syracuse University.

Spencer spoke of his somewhat confusing path to becoming Tech's vice president for student affairs. When he entered college, Spencer's plans were to go into medical school administration work. Though he loved medicine and attended medical school, he had a change of plans and did not obtain a medical degree.

"Some people talk about ministers feeling a call," Spencer said. "I literally felt a calling to work with undergraduate students and graduate students."

After holding three positions in student affairs at the University of Delaware, Spencer began his career at Tech in 1983 as the director of Housing and Residence Life. He held three other positions in the division before reaching his final destination at Tech -- vice president for student affairs. He now looks over the 15 departments in the division of student affairs.

But his aim is to never forget the everyday student in all of those departments.

"My passion is students," Spencer said. "I love the time I spend with them. The student who's not happy with something, the student who wants career advice, the student who wants a letter of reference -- that's how my day is made up. It's made up of ever-changing moments. No day is the same as the next day."

Other faculty attest to his student-centered mentality.

"He's got a strong work ethic and a very strong student-centered focus," said Director of Housing and Dining Services Rick Johnson. "He's really worked for students for over 30 years. He's a very strong advocate for students."

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