Claire White, Assistant Professor of Practice and Land Development Design Initiative (LDDI) Assistant Coordinator, has been awarded the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award. She has been a faculty member in the department since 2016 and is also a two time alumna, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Virginia Tech.

In addition to her work with LDDI, she teaches a variety of courses including Professional and Legal Issues in Civil Engineering, Introduction to Land Development Design, Sustainable Land Development, and Civil Engineering Drawings and CAD, Civil Engineering Drawings and Virtual Modeling, and Land Development Design Projects.

She was recognized in her nominations for being passionate in helping students, both during their time in her classes, but also as they begin careers in CEE and land development.

“Claire was always there with a helpful hand and listening ear,” said Casey Britt (’19). “She helped me feel confident about being a woman in a male dominated field.”

Prior to returning to Virginia Tech, White worked as a Land Development Engineer for Kimley-Horn and Gay and Neel. Students commend her for applying her working experience to examples in the classroom, making learning engaging and interesting.

Tate Horman (’21) said “Claire goes above and beyond for her students and really invests in their education. It is clear she is so passionate about civil engineering and has passed along that passion to her students.”

The Blackwood Program in Real Estate also honored White in 2020 with the Blackwood Award for Exemplary Faculty Service.