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Ellen Plummer

Associate Vice Provost for Academic Administration
Burruss Hall, Suite 330 (0164), Virginia Tech
800 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Dr. Ellen W. Plummer serves as associate vice provost for academic administration. She has experience in higher education administration, women’s and diversity issues, faculty development, grants and project management, advocacy, social work, and has worked in private non-profit, and government environments.

In her role, Plummer provides administrative support to governance and policy processes including the Board of Visitors, commissions, and degree management. As a member of the provost’s faculty affairs team, she directs faculty recruitment, advancement, and development. Direct reports include the Women’s Center, which provides leadership development programs, advocacy, counseling and other services, to faculty members, staff, and students. Plummer collaborates with colleges and vice presidential areas to advance the university’s InclusiveVT efforts in her role as an inclusion coordinator. In addition, Plummer assists with accreditation and strategic planning processes.

As a member of the faculty in Virginia Tech’s Higher Education Administration program, Plummer has taught the Higher Education in the U.S. class and serves as a member on masters and Ph.D. committees.

Plummer joined Virginia Tech in the fall of 2000 as director of the Women’s Center. As special assistant to the provost at Virginia Tech, Plummer coordinated the efforts of the Task Force on Race and the Institution, the university’s Diversity Strategic Plan, and supported the 2006 update to the university’s strategic plan. During the 2003-2004 academic year she served as the interim director of the Virginia Tech Office for Equal Opportunity. In the aftermath of the 2007 shootings, Plummer served in the Office of Recovery and Support, and assisted in coordinating many aspects of the university’s grant-supported recovery efforts. Prior to Virginia Tech, she worked at Duke University and was affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work.

Plummer has worked throughout her career on advocacy and support programs designed to promote and advance the diversity of students, staff, and faculty members. Her dissertation research focused on faculty search initiatives at NSF Advance grant institutions.

Plummer was raised in Mexico where she lived for almost 20 years. She came to the United States to attend Northfield Mount Hermon School and later completed a B.S. in Human Development and Family Relations and an M.S.W. in community organizing both from the University of Connecticut. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Polytechnic and State University.

Responsibilities