Heather Wagoner

Heather Wagoner serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement at Virginia Tech. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, she brings a deep commitment to fostering meaningful student experiences, cultivating a sense of belonging, and supporting student development through engagement and community-building initiatives.

Reporting to the vice president for Student Affairs, Heather provides strategic leadership for Fraternity and Sorority Life, Cranwell International Center, Student Engagement and Campus Life including the Cultural and Community Centers ,VT Engage, and Living Learning Programs. In this role, she partners with students, faculty, and staff to create inclusive and engaging environments where students feel seen, heard, valued, and connected to the Virginia Tech community.

Heather is passionate about creating transformative experiences that help students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. She oversees programs and services that bring students together in community, enhances co-curricular learning, bolsters students’ sense of belonging, fosters self-discovery, and creates opportunities that help students build meaningful connections throughout their Virginia Tech experience. She works collaboratively across the university to advance initiatives that support student success and enrich campus life.

Prior to her appointment as assistant vice president, Heather served as Senior Director of Student Engagement and Community Centers. Throughout her career, she has dedicated her work to student engagement, student centers, leadership development, new student and transition programs, and community engagement. She has served the profession as the previous Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Region VI Director and 2021 international conference team member as well as participation on the Provost Commission on Fraternity and Sorority Culture, the Virginia Tech Student Governance Task Force, and the Student Affairs Staff Enrichment task force.

Heather earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from James Madison University, a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Evaluation from the University of Kentucky.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, their son, and their goldendoodle Murray. She also enjoys listening to musicals, reading, exploring new places, writing, and baking.