James S. Bridgeforth

Dr. James S. Bridgeforth joined Virginia Tech in October 2020 as the inaugural Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and ExperienceVT. The position was created to further the goals of ExperienceVT, a Student Affairs initiative that guides students in understanding and practicing the Aspirations for Student Learning through engagement and reflection. Dr. Bridgeforth supervises the Cranwell International Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Office of Learning Partnerships, Student Engagement & Campus Life, the Office of Living-Learning Programs and VT Engage: The Center for Leadership and Service Learning. During his tenure at Virginia Tech, Dr. Bridgeforth has served as the interim Assistant Vice President for Housing, Dining and Student Centers where he provided leadership for more than 2,500 faculty, staff, wage, and student employees at the University. Bridgeforth serves as the Senior Advisor to the Undergraduate Student Senate where he and his team transformed the undergraduate student government experience to focus on servant leadership and experiential learning for all students.

“As a first-generation college student who grew-up in southern rural Virginia, I learned that the college experience can transform a person's life in ways they may never have imagined by providing access and avenues to a better quality of life,” said Bridgeforth. “It is my goal to help everyone achieve their dreams, and the college experience can be the greatest springboard for one's success. I am excited to meet as many students as I can and learn how we can partner with them on their journey.”

Dr. Bridgeforth came to Virginia Tech from the University of South Alabama where he was Director of University Housing and served as a Graduate Faculty Instructor in the Higher Education Administration program where his research focused on racism and equality in American post-secondary education. He brings more than 20 years of experience working in higher education, including at public universities, private colleges, religiously affiliated colleges, HBCUs, and land-grant institutions. He has extensive experience working with college students and collaborating with both academics and student affairs to champion the student experience.

Dr. Bridgeforth completed the Harvard University Institute for Management & Leadership in Education in 2023; additionally, Dr. Bridgeforth was selected to participate in the EAB Presidential Intensive program in 2023. Dr. Bridgeforth earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration & Institutional Research from The University of Southern Mississippi. He has a Master of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a B.A. in Sociology from Catawba College. His previous professional positions include Executive Director for Housing & Residence Life at Kennesaw State University, Associate Director for Housing & Residence Life at the University of South Alabama, an Assistant Director of Residence Life & First-Year Experience at The University of Southern Mississippi, and Assistant Director for Business Services and Facilities Management at The Catholic University of America. He is a proud member of 100 Black Men of America and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Bridgeforth’s strengths are: Futuristic, Achiever, Focus, Competition, and Significance.