VT Successfully Passes FAA Metrics for Safe Drone Flights Over People

VT Successfully Passes FAA Metrics for Safe Drone Flights Over People

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Montgomery County, VA – Virginia Tech has issued a press release detailing that they have successfully met the criteria accepted by the FAA to fly drones over humans.

According to the release, “the milestone is a nod to the value of Virginia Tech’s testing, the product of a collaboration between the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), an FAA-designated drone test site, and injury biomechanics experts in the university’s College of Engineering.”

The article goes on to discuss the broader goals of Virginia Tech’s testing, stating,

“Identifying safe aircraft is the immediate objective of the testing under the means of compliance. But for the Virginia Tech team, the broader goal is understanding more about how to make aircraft safer, and how to test them effectively.”

Read the full press release about this exciting announcement from Virginia Techhere.

Learn more about unmanned systems in the NRV here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Virginia Tech Among 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America

VT Ranks Highly in U.S. News & World Report Top Colleges Rankings

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Montgomery County, Va– Virginia Tech has issued a press release detailing an impressive array of top-30 engineering, learning communities, and computer science rankings in the U.S. News & World Report 2022-23 Best Colleges rankings.

The rankings utilized 17 different standards of academic quality in its rankings. These include graduation and retention rates, affordability, degree value after graduation, faculty resources, financial resources, and test scores.

The VT College of Engineering was well represented with eight related departments making the list including,

Industrial engineering (No. 4)

Environmental engineering (No. 8)

Civil engineering (No. 11)

Aerospace engineering (No. 12)

Electrical engineering (tie No. 15)

Computer engineering (No. 25)

Undergraduate Engineering (doctorate) (No. 16)

Computer science (tie No. 29)

The university came in at No. 22 in the Learning Communities division. The division focuses on students who typically take two or more linked courses as a group and get to know each other and their professors exceptionally well. The press release states, “College presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students, and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools each nominate up to 15 institutions with stellar examples of learning communities.”

In addition, the university scored highly in the following areas:

Best Colleges for Veterans (No. 34)

Best Undergraduate Business (No. 39)

Most Innovative Schools – National Universities (No. 41)

Overall National Universities (No. 62)

Find the university’s abundant rankings mentioned across various publications and platforms here.

Learn more about higher education in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

 

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

 

Montgomery County Earns Top 10 Ranking for Best School Districts in VA

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Montgomery County, VA – Inside NOVA recently published an article detailing the top ten Virginia school districts using Niche rankings. Niche ranks school districts based on various criteria, including academics (SAT/ACT scores and state proficiency tests), teacher salaries, expenses per student, and access to extracurricular activities. According to the data, Montgomery County Public Schools has ranked # 10 on the list for 2022.

It is no secret that great schools attract great teachers. Research shows that engaged teachers can dramatically impact students’ academic goals and interests. Students leaving high school with a basic understanding of what they want to pursue academically and personally are far more likely to secure advanced degrees in a field they deem rewarding.

This impact has far-reaching effects, including higher lifetime earnings. The article references U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data saying, “Bachelor’s degree holders will earn an average of roughly $26,000 more each year than high school graduates. And for those who decide that pursuing a college degree is not the best postsecondary option, a good school will provide students with the tools and support to make that choice and the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.”

Good schools are also a reflection of great communities. In addition to the excellent schools in Montgomery County, the cost of living, outdoor recreation opportunities, proximity to higher education, and plentiful jobs all play a major role in the overall health of the educational ecosystem.

#10. Montgomery County Public Schools (Christiansburg)

– Number of schools: 21 (10,016 students)

– Graduation rate: 93% (81% reading proficient and 86% math proficient)

– Average teacher salary: $52,281 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)

 

Learn more about Montgomery County in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

Learn more about the quality of life in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

 

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

 
Radford University Earns 2022-2023 College of Distinction Designation

Radford University Earns 2022-2023 College of Distinction Designation

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Radford, VA – Radford University has earned a 2022-2023 College of Distinction designation. This designation from Colleges of Distinction shows that Radford is one of the best colleges across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

According to their website, “Colleges of Distinction was created in 2000 to help students and their parents navigate the overwhelming process of selecting the right school. We aim to help parents and students find not just the ‘best’ college, but the right one.”

Here is what Colleges of Distinction had to say about Radford University:

Founded in 1910, Radford University is a comprehensive, mid-sized university located in the heart of Virginia’s New River Valley. With small class sizes, rigorous academics, a strong emphasis on service to others, and a beautiful, 204-acre campus, Radford University provides an education that is focused on developing the student both inside and outside of the classroom.

Radford University also earned distinctions for their career development and military support services as well as their undergraduate programs in business, education, and nursing.

Read the full press release from Radford University about the distinctions here.

Learn more about higher education in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

VT Explores the Relationship Between Quantum Networks & Cybersecurity

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New River Valley, VA – An article published by Virginia Tech explains how researchers at the university, in tandem with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), are exploring quantum computing and its potential to revolutionize the cybersecurity landscape. Per the article, “Quantum systems have properties that provide inherent security in communications. Unlike “classical” networks, which comprise the existing internet, quantum networks will enhance cybersecurity and allow a host of cryptographic and networking tasks.”

There is no doubt that quantum networks are the next frontier in the age of the internet, and experts expect that it will profoundly impact the world we live in. But what exactly is it? To the layperson, quantum computing can be challenging to comprehend, much less its effect on everyday systems that affect our daily lives. Let’s examine a bit.

“A bit is the smallest unit of digital information, and it exists in one of two states: 0 or 1. In a quantum information processor, information is packaged in quantum bits (qubits) that simultaneously occupy multiple states between 0 and 1 that a regular information processor can’t access. This superposition quality unlocks unprecedented computational power and processing speed”.

Looking ahead, Sophia Economou, Virginia Tech professor of physics in the College of Science says,

“In the future, a user will be able to securely access a quantum computer via a quantum network. This is analogous to running a program on the cloud. Even an old laptop can connect to Amazon’s servers, for example, and tap into a huge reservoir of computing power. The key difference for quantum networks is security: a user may want to run a program that needs to be kept secret, maybe for intellectual property or national security reasons”.

The CCI network extends across the Commonwealth but is anchored by “nodes.” VT is at the helm of the southwest node and is joined by Radford University and New River Community College. Both schools have robust cybersecurity programs, the latter of which has just received a prestigious cybersecurity designation.

Quantum networks aren’t here yet — but they’re getting closer. The research that our world-class universities are currently conducting can further position Virginia’s New River Valley as a leading hub of technology-based business and innovation.

Learn more about the exciting research and innovation projects in the NRV here.

Learn more about IT in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Virginia Tech Simulates 5G Smart Grid Technology

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Montgomery County, VA – The Augusta Free Press recently published an article detailing how researchers are simulating a 5G smart grid for Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus.

Here’s what the article had to say about Virginia Tech:

“We are modeling Virginia Tech Electric Service as a microgrid with the bandwidth, low latency, and computing power of 5G,” said Chen-Ching Liu, the American Electric Power Professor and director of the Power and Energy Center (PEC) at Virginia Tech’s Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “This is the right playground to develop advanced technology and solve more complex power grid problems.”

Per the article, “Virginia Tech’s future smart grid will integrate solar arrays, battery storage systems, and other distributed energy resources that require fast, reliable communication for security, monitoring, and remote-controlled capabilities. 5G and NextG wireless networks can meet these requirements by providing wider network coverage and faster data transmission”.

With support provided by the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative in Southwest Virginia, the 5G Power Grid (5GPG) project contributes directly to the Virginia Tech Climate Action Working Group’s effort to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

Virginia Tech is one of the several colleges and universities that call Virginia’s New River Valley home.

Learn more about education in the region here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

RU Ranked #33 Southern Regional University by U.S. News & World Report

Radford University Graduate Programs Recognized in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

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Radford, VA – Radford University recently issued a press release highlighting recognition by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings. This year’s ranked graduate programs include nursing, psychology, social work, and business administration.

The press release details the depth of the school’s graduate offerings saying, “Radford University serves approximately 10,000 students with diverse academic offerings on the graduate level, including 28 master’s programs in 23 disciplines and six doctoral programs at the graduate level, as well as 14 post-baccalaureate certificates and one post-master’s certificate.”

“We are incredibly proud that Radford University continues to be recognized nationally as one of the leading destinations for students seeking to build upon their knowledge and expand the possibilities in their careers.”
–Radford University Interim President, Dr. Carolyn R. Lepre

This year’s ranking can be added to the list of academic wins for the university. In 2021, U.S. News & World Report recognized RU as a top Southern Regional University.

Read the official press release from Radford University about the rankings here.

Learn more about Virginia’s New River Valley, the region that Radford University calls home, here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

NRCC Awarded Top Cybersecurity Designation

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Pulaski County, VA- An article recently published by NRV News details that New River Community College (NRCC) has received a designation as a “National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense” (CAE-CD) from the National Security Agency (NSA).

Per the article, NRCC earned the designation after a “multi-year, peer-reviewed process, in which NRCC showcased their robust and active cybersecurity program that includes a range of student activities.”

The appellation has tangible benefits for both the school and its students. With the CAE-CD, the university will have ample opportunities to participate in faculty professional development training and receive invitations to apply for earmarked federal grants. NRCC students who graduate with an associate degree in Information Technology – Cyber Security Specialization will also receive an official letter detailing the designation.

The article quotes Dr. Dave Filer, NRCC professor of information systems technology, saying,

“This recognition highlights the important work NRCC is doing in cyber security education and makes our graduates even more competitive as they enter the job market or continue learning at a four-year institution”.

Learn more about Information Technology in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

Learn more about education in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

 

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

 

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

 

VT Ranked Top Place to Work for Commuters Two Years in a Row

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Montgomery County, VA – A recent press release published by Virginia Tech announced that the university has ranked high on the Bestplacestowork.org list of “top-notch commuter programs and services to students and employees” for the second year in a row.

The university has a bevy of in-house and partner-affiliated commuting resources aimed to reduce campus traffic congestion and offer environmentally friendly alternatives to single-vehicle commutes. Below are a few top-notch programs that again helped earn VT a spot on this year’s list.

Read the full press release from Virginia Tech here.

Learn more about transportation in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities while retaining the charm and benefits of small-town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”
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Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

Pulaski County High School CTE Welding Program Shines Bright

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Pulaski County, VA – The Pulaski County High School Career and Technical Education Center (CTE) recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art welding lab. The Southwest Times featured the unveiling and detailed the impressive line-up of courses covered by the popular Tech-Ed program.

Welding, a top-rated program that has seen consistent growth, is just one of over 25 programs across seven different career fields offered by the CTE Center.

Megan Atkinson, Director of CTE and the Governor’s STEM Academy, said:

“This year, we have 95 (students) who were able to be in Welding I, II, and III. Due to the class’s popularity, we pay (the instructor) to teach an additional block each year. We’ve done that for the past four years to meet the demand of student requests.”

In addition to welding, the diverse program also offers comprehensive IT and Manufacturing career paths, including Computer Programing, Cybersecurity, Engineering, and Robotics.

Read the full article here.

Learn more about Pulaski County, a community in Virginia’s New River Valley, here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.