Teresa Wilson

The Inclusion Award is presented to the Student Affairs employee or group of employees who create learning environments that foster equitable participation of all groups while seeing to address and acknowledge issues of oppression, power, and privilege. Some of the criteria include building inclusive, supportive, just, and diverse environments, promoting multicultural awareness, and valuing and celebrating equity and inclusion.

This year’s recipient exemplifies what it means to create an inclusive, supportive, equitable, and welcoming environment where every student has the opportunity to find community and thrive.

Teresa Wilson is the Assistant Director of the APIDA+ Center within the Cultural and Community Centers.

One of Teresa’s greatest strengths is the genuine care she shows for students. She consistently provides one-on-one advising and takes the time to meet students where they are. Her approach is personal and intentional—she wants students to know that they are seen, valued, and supported.

Teresa constantly thinks about ways to engage students and create opportunities for connection, particularly for students who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation. She understands that belonging is an essential part of the student experience, and she works every day to help students find their people and identify spaces where they feel comfortable being themselves. She genuinely believes that every student deserves to find a community on campus, wherever that community may be.

An excellent community builder, Teresa actively looks for ways to bring people into the fold. She celebrates the diversity of student experiences while also recognizing the importance of creating opportunities for students to learn from people whose backgrounds and perspectives may differ from their own. In doing so, she helps foster a campus environment rooted in belonging, understanding, and mutual respect.

Teresa also demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to her colleagues and the broader Student Affairs community. Her willingness to step forward, collaborate, and support the work of others strengthens the APIDA+ Center, the division, and the university community as a whole.

Teresa's commitment to equity and inclusion is evident in how she interacts with people every day. She recognizes that students arrive at Virginia Tech with different experiences, identities, needs, and challenges, and she responds with compassion, respect, and a genuine desire to help. She helps students understand that they don’t have to navigate college alone.

For leading with compassion, building community with intention, and making Virginia Tech a more welcoming and inclusive place for every student, Student Affairs is proud to present the Inclusion Award to Teresa Wilson.