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Virginia Tech English This is designed to bring together all scholars, students, colleagues, and friends of English at Virginia Tech!

News, events, and social activities can be found here.

Colson Whitehead, an American novelist, who is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novels "The Underground Railroa...
10/14/2026

Colson Whitehead, an American novelist, who is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novels "The Underground Railroad" and "The Nickel Boys," visited Virginia Tech on September 30. Students and faculty within the Department of English were invited to a Q&A prior to the public event, when there was a mixture of questions from the audience as well as the co-host, Matthew Salesses. Most of the questions were about Whitehead's writing process, journey becoming a writer, what he is currently working on, and his favorite books. While the event was professionally orchestrated, the author's humor put everyone at ease and created an atmosphere where the audience felt comfortable asking questions. What an awesome event! Thank you, Colson Whitehead, for the visit!

Post and photos by Kylie Hudson, Words & Pictures Correspondent

Registration is open for the 18th annual English Career Connections Conference on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Inn at Virginia...
10/12/2026

Registration is open for the 18th annual English Career Connections Conference on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Inn at Virginia Tech.

The conference brings English students together with professionals and alumni to talk about career paths and make connections. Clay Delk, principal content designer with Block Connect, and several members of Virginia Tech English’s Distinguished Alumni Board will be there to network with students and offer career advice.

Faculty, friends and alumni: please share this opportunity with students who may be interested. This free conference runs from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided, and attendance is limited to the first 50 registrants.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ101toScB5NMn5r2bW9KCxRAXYvsGcDYYGOErnplbkz_3HA/viewform

Students can also attend a workshop on professionalism and networking on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5:30 p.m. in Shanks 380 to prepare for the conference.

The conference flyer was designed by Brian Kim, a Words & Pictures correspondent.

Choosing English at Virginia Tech did not start with a mapped-out plan for the future for Kylie Hudson. However, she gra...
10/07/2026

Choosing English at Virginia Tech did not start with a mapped-out plan for the future for Kylie Hudson. However, she gravitated toward English because of her love for reading and writing.

Now a senior studying creative writing and professional and technical writing, she says the experience has strengthened those interests. Support from professors and close relationships made during her time here at Virginia Tech have opened several possibilities for her after graduation. She plans to pursue a career involving technical writing, publishing, or screenwriting.

Joining Words and Pictures offered her another way to contribute to the Virginia Tech English community. It also allows her to build practical real-world skills for future endeavors.

Plan to join her for her Instagram takeover tomorrow, Oct. 7, covering the M.F.A. Salon, a reading of creative works by graduate students in the program, at Blacksburg Books from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Post by Casey Green, Words & Pictures correspondent.

Brian Kim is a senior at Virginia Tech studying Technical Scientific Communications. Initially Brian chose to study comp...
10/01/2026

Brian Kim is a senior at Virginia Tech studying Technical Scientific Communications. Initially Brian chose to study computer science because of external familial pressures. Until around a year ago when he realized how burnt out he was and made the decision to switch majors. Now he revels in his studies and spends all of his time learning, creating, drawing, and writing.

As a correspondent for Words & Pictures, Brian hopes to learn and explore ways to apply his technical skills and familiarity with the Computer Science industry jargon in his future career. This class will also allow him to practice the soft skills common across the many fields English majors pursue.

Join us on October 1 for a Bridge Lecture on “Networking for Your Career” given by Shawn Stevenson at 3 p.m. in Shanks 340. Brian will be covering the event as well as sharing insight on what a day in the life is like for a Technical Scientific Communications major!

Post and photos by Kylie Hudson, Words & Pictures Correspondent

Brian Kim is a senior studying technical scientific communication. He has always loved writing and literature but due to...
09/30/2026

Brian Kim is a senior studying technical scientific communication. He has always loved writing and literature but due to external pressures he initially chose to study computer science here at Virginia Tech. After becoming burnt out in that major he chose to switch gears to T.S.C. and could not be happier with his decision. He hopes his role in Words & Pictures will allow him to practice the soft skills common across the many fields English majors might pursue in the future.

Brian will be taking you along with him on Oct. 1 to see what it’s like to attend a Bridge Lecture held by the English department. Bridge Lectures give English students a chance to gain insight from relevant alumni, industry professionals, and professors. 

On Oct. 1, Shawn Stevenson will be presenting a Bridge Lecture on “Networking for Your Career” at 3 p.m. in Shanks 340. ➡️ More

Brian started his academic career at Virginia Tech as a computer science major. During this time he was struggling with vision loss due to his Keratoconus. With his academic background and diagnosis he delved into the possibility of how AI could help predict eye disease. This is when Brian switched majors to data analytics. He cast aside his ambitions and passions for writing to solely focus on eye disease research, preventative measures, and early diagnosis algorithms. He did this until about a year ago when he was so burnt out, according to Brian, he “imploded.”
 
Although his diagnosis gave him the motivation to research, Brian didn’t enjoy his studies or work. Switching gears to technical and scientific communications within the Department of English has significantly improved his college experience. Now he spends all of his time writing, drawing, and creating. He believes that his experience in computer science has given him a unique skill set he now brings to technical and scientific communications. 

Post and photos by Kylie Hudson, Words & Pictures Correspondent

Virginia Tech Words and Pictures would like to showcase one of our newest members before she takes over our Stories tomo...
09/30/2026

Virginia Tech Words and Pictures would like to showcase one of our newest members before she takes over our Stories tomorrow, Sept. 30, and heads over to the Page to Practice: An Open Q&A with Colson Whitehead from 6–7 p.m. at the Cube in the Center fro the Arts at Virginia Tech. By the way—you are also invited to this free event before his talk on the main stage.

Isabella Graef is a senior at Virginia Tech and is an English student. She is majoring in English and literature with a passion for medieval literature. Isabella is inspired by the English department and has even listed her favorite classes she’s had so far: Being Human and British Literature, because she said these classes gave her a chance to be exposed to literature and the different styles and forms the subjects offer.

She chose to be a part of the department because of the close-knit feeling of community and the mentorship from the professors. She wanted to be even more involved with the program, so she got involved in Words and Pictures to be able to bring her ideas to life. She has always been interested in social media and wants to learn more about the new styles of writing outside of standard prose and poetry.

Post and photos by Elli Vaughn, WOrds & Pictures Correspondent.

09/29/2026

Writing Center tutoring gets an Office-style treatment in this video by Isabelle Boyd. Between the jokes, Isabelle shows how tutors help students clarify ideas, understand assignments, and build confidence as writers.

Video by Isabelle Boyd, Spring 2026 Words & Pictures Correspondent.

09/25/2026

In this Office-inspired spoof, one writing coach offers a humorous look at the rewards, challenges, and occasional hiccups of helping students with everything from last-minute papers to troublesome commas.

Video by Ava Nelson, Spring 2026 Words & Pictures correspondent.

Graduate students have a new place to write and connect at Virginia Tech. The Writers’ Bloc is a new club for graduate s...
09/24/2026

Graduate students have a new place to write and connect at Virginia Tech. The Writers’ Bloc is a new club for graduate students, co-founded by M.F.A. students Dylan Evers, president, and Kas Armstrong, co-president. Through monthly meetups and pop-up writing sessions, the club will give graduate student writers a place to share their work and create alongside one another.

Upcoming gatherings for graduate students will be held Oct. 2, Oct. 23, and Nov. 13. The Oct. 23 gathering will feature a Blacksburg Poetry Open Mic.

📷 The Writers Bloc members Kas Armstrong, Dylan Evers, and Lauren Emo at Gobblerfest. Photo courtesy of Janine Joseph.

London is calling… Today’s Study Abroad Fair gave students a chance to learn more about opportunities to take their Virg...
09/23/2026

London is calling… Today’s Study Abroad Fair gave students a chance to learn more about opportunities to take their Virginia Tech education around the world, including London Calling! 2027.

Rebecca Weaver-Hightower, one of the faculty guides for the 2027 program, was at the English Department table along with London Calling alum Cate Langhorn, who knows firsthand what it’s like to experience the program.

Interested in joining us in London? Stay tuned! We’ll soon be hosting our first London Calling! 2027 information sessions, where students can learn more about the program, ask questions, and start thinking about their own study abroad adventure.

The Hokie Bird invites you to watch this space for dates and details!

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181 Turner Street SW
Blacksburg, VA
24061

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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