Inside IALR

Growing Talent at the CEA Innovation Center Aug 11, 2025

What happens when Ph.D. candidates, master’s students, undergrads and interns all share the same greenhouse? You get a powerful, layered research environment that grows more than just plants.

In this episode of Inside IALR, we explore how the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center is not only advancing sustainable agriculture but also training the next generation of researchers and industry leaders. A partnership between IALR and Virginia Tech, the CEA Innovation Center blends hands-on research, mentorship and workforce development.

You’ll hear how students at four different educational levels are conducting applied research on plant disease management, beneficial microbes and nutrient optimization. From mentoring interns to designing dissertation-level experiments, these students are learning and growing.

🎙 Guests:

Dr. Kaylee South – Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech (stationed full-time at IALR)
Colin Fite – M.S. Student, Virginia Tech
Praveen Gajula – Ph.D. Student, Virginia Tech

🔍 Topics Covered:

What Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is and why it matters
How beneficial microbes are being tested in vertical farms and greenhouses
The role of students in maintaining IALR’s demonstration farm
Mentorship across education levels—from intern to Ph.D.
Career goals of students entering the CEA industry
Opportunities for students to join the CEA Innovation Center

Whether you're an educator, student, grower or just curious about the future of agtech, this episode offers a glimpse into how research, education and industry come together under one greenhouse roof.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Inside the Internship: Stories from IALR’s Summer Interns Jul 28, 2025

What is it like to be an intern at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research? In this episode of Inside IALR, hear from five of the 18 interns who spent their summer working across IALR’s divisions—from applied research and economic development to manufacturing advancement and GO TEC.

You’ll hear from:

Grayson Snead, an ag tech intern researching bacterial endophytes in broccoli microgreens
Dilara Sultanova, a data-savvy Empower intern building automation tools and career resources
Daniel Olasoko and Moiz Fakhri, who worked with machine learning models to support student success in the ATDM program
Dakotah Younger, who helped train teachers and guide students through hands-on technology with the GO TEC team

They reflect on what they learned, the real-world impact they made, and how the experience is shaping their future careers.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Tracking Plant Growth Pixel by Pixel Jul 14, 2025

What if you could track a plant’s health and growth every 15 minutes, all automatically and without ever touching it?

In this episode of Inside IALR, Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, explores the SMART Platform—IALR’s Spatially and Mechanically Accurate Robotic Table system. These high-tech tables combine robotics, precision imaging and automation to capture tens of thousands of data points per experiment, helping researchers analyze plant growth, stress response and even subtle movements in real time.

Learn how the SMART Platforms allow for entire plant life-cycle testing for beneficial microbes and enable real-time monitoring of plant health. You’ll hear about how interns have played a central role in coding and refining the system, how companies can contract research on the tables and how this technology is helping lay the groundwork for more sustainable agriculture.

Whether you’re into agtech, robotics, plant biology or data science, this episode connects it all. Plus, you’ll hear how this one-of-a-kind platform is opening doors for students and researchers alike.

🔍 Topics Covered:

What makes SMART Platforms unique
How 80,000+ images become meaningful plant health data
Intern-driven innovation in Python and computer vision
Industry collaboration and commercialization opportunities
The future of AI in agriculture and early stress detection

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Registered Apprenticeship Best Practices and Lessons Learned Jun 02, 2025

Registered apprenticeships pair paid, hands-on work with classroom lessons to grow dependable talent. In this Inside IALR episode, host Caleb Ayers talks with:

Natori Neal – Apprenticeship Coordinator, IALR’s EXTRA program
Jenny Spitzer – Co-owner, Spitzer Inc. (electrical contractors)
Josh Arnold – Master Electrician and lead instructor at Spitzer
Jacob Oakes – Second-year electrical apprentice

They share insights on:

How a registered apprenticeship is structured, from day-one wages to a journeyman credential
Building curriculum around the employer’s real work
Why covering tuition and books helps apprentices focus and stay
Choosing the right mentors
Starting with small cohorts to emphasize quality over head-count
Utilizing the free support from IALR’s EXTRA program for designing, funding and sustaining apprenticeship programs

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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The Life-Changing Impact of a Four-Month Training Program May 19, 2025

In this episode of Inside IALR, host Caleb Ayers talks with Patrick Crowley and Ronald Green, recent graduates from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. Listen in as they share:

Patrick’s transition from logistics to CNC machining for more impactful work.
Ron’s journey from entrepreneurship in fashion to welding for career stability.
Their intense and rewarding four-month ATDM training experience.
How they overcame challenges and built camaraderie with classmates.
The promising career opportunities awaiting them post-graduation.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Measuring Down to the Micron: How Metrology Supports National Defense May 05, 2025

In this episode of Inside IALR, we dive deep into the world of metrology, a crucial trade that plays a significant role in national defense manufacturing. The episode features Tony Almeida, Regional Sales Manager at Mitutoyo, and Jarrod Hankins, Metrology Instructor at IALR's Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program.

Metrology is the science of measurement. It ensures that parts are manufactured with incredible precision, often down to microns. Together, they highlight how metrology ensures that parts used in defense manufacturing, particularly in the Navy’s shipbuilding and repair operations, meet the highest standards of quality.

Episode Highlights

0:47 - What is metrology, and how is it used in manufacturing?
3:09 - The role of IALR’s precision metrology lab in supporting the Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center
6:56 - Key metrology tools, from calipers to 3D laser scanning
8:36 - Inside the precision metrology lab: The significance of the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
17:04 - The importance of calibration and ensuring precision in every tool
22:06 - How metrology helps support the national defense industrial base

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Restoring Hope: the Mission of God's Pit Crew Apr 14, 2025

Let's hear from Randy Johnson, founder of God's Pit Crew, a faith-based disaster relief organization headquartered in Danville, Virginia, and Tracy Fink, Vice President of the IALR Conference Center. God's Pit Crew has transformed from a simple altar prayer into an extensive operation that has responded to over 200 disasters across more than 30 states and 15 countries in their 26-year history.

Randy shares the remarkable growth of God's Pit Crew and explains their strategic four-pronged disaster response: delivering essential supplies, providing immediate cleanup and tree removal, rebuilding homes—including an unprecedented commitment of constructing 25 new homes this year for Hurricane Helene victims—and redistributing over $5 million annually in donated goods to local nonprofits within 200 miles of Danville. Tracy highlights the longstanding partnership with IALR and details the annual benefit banquet hosted every year at the IALR Conference Center, which gathers nearly 1,000 supporters and showcases the organization’s profound impact.

Highlights include:

• Origins and Growth of God's Pit Crew (00:45)
• Comprehensive Disaster Response Approach (02:15)
• Building Homes and Restoring Lives (07:30)
• Local Community Impact (12:20)
• Annual Benefit Banquet at IALR Conference Center (16:50)
• Volunteer Stories and Community Spirit (20:05)

To learn more about volunteering or donating, visit godspitcrew.org.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Career Exploration in 73 Middle Schools Mar 31, 2025

Let's hear from Jake Taylor, Technical and Training Manager of the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program managed by IALR. GO TEC is an innovative career initiative providing middle school students across Virginia with engaging, hands-on experiences in technology, manufacturing and engineering careers.

Jake shares how GO TEC rapidly expanded from a pilot program in Danville and Pittsylvania County to over 50 middle schools statewide, with further growth anticipated. He explains the strategic approach to maintaining consistency while addressing regional industry differences and details the logistical complexities involved in equipping classrooms, training educators and ensuring continuous program improvement.

Highlights include:

What is GO TEC? (00:36)
Rapid statewide growth (01:42)
Hands-on career exploration (04:00)
Partnering across Virginia (05:43)
Supporting teachers and classrooms (14:38)
Bridging the high school gap (23:54)
STEM Innovator of the Year Award (27:00)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Internship Support for Southern Virginia Employers Mar 17, 2025

Internships create powerful win-win opportunities for both students and employers when structured properly. IALR's Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Kiana Dillard, explains how these programs build talent pipelines while giving students valuable real-world experience.
• Internships provide structured learning opportunities where students develop skills while exploring potential career paths
• IALR offers personalized consultation to help businesses create meaningful internship experiences
• Successful internship programs require clear goals, meaningful projects, mentorship, structure and paid compensation
• Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership provides matching funds covering 50% of costs for businesses with 150 employees or fewer
• Success stories include students being hired by their internship employers after demonstrating valuable contributions
• Alternative work-based learning programs include teacher externships, STEM camps, career fairs and apprenticeships
• Internships don't have to be full-time summer experiences—part-time positions during academic terms can work well

Learn more and get connected to resources: https://www.ialr.org/supporting-internships/host-an-intern/

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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From Trainees to Trainers: The ATDM Additive Journey Mar 03, 2025

This episode features Daniel Hyler and Tim Holland—two graduates turned additive manufacturing instructors with the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. Hear them discuss lessons they picked up along the way, plus real-world applications of additive manufacturing in today’s job market.

Listen in as they discuss:

Jumping from Student to Instructor: How they found their calling in the classroom.
The ‘Light Bulb’ Moment: Why watching a student finally “get it” is so rewarding.
Industry Readiness: Helping companies embrace the possibilities of 3D printing.
Career Pathways: Creating your own opportunities in an evolving field.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Building Stronger Local Food Systems Feb 17, 2025

In this episode of Inside IALR, Value Chain Coordinator Mitchell Doss highlights a new initiative aimed at strengthening Southern Virginia’s local food ecosystem. Funded by a Tobacco Commission grant, Mitchell’s work focuses on helping farmers broaden their reach to new markets while ensuring communities gain greater access to fresh, local produce and products. Hear how Mitchell’s journey—from IALR intern to horticulture researcher—shapes his approach to connecting producers, institutions, and consumers for an economically vibrant and sustainable future.

In this episode:

What a Value Chain Coordinator does
The importance of robust local food networks for economic growth
Current gaps and opportunities in Southern Virginia’s food system
Strategies for driving collaboration between farmers, buyers and communities
Details on upcoming workshops and opportunities to get involved

For more information on Mitchell’s work and how you can connect, visit IALR.org/valuechain.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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From Blueprint to Reality: Moving into the ATDM Maritime Training Center Feb 03, 2025

Question: How do you move an active training program with massive, sophisticated equipment into a new facility without halting progress?
Answer: An abundance of planning—and the determination to make it happen.

In this episode, Senior Facilities Manager Stewart East and Assistant Director of Advanced Training and Operations Wesley Cifers explain:

Preparation: Months of logistical strategizing for a multi-phase relocation
Execution: Coordinating staff, resources, and external partners over the holidays
Outcome: A smoother transition to the ATDM Maritime Training Center, where the Accelerated Training and Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program now has a permanent home

Episode highlights include:
• Transition to a significant new facility after years in a temporary space
• Overview of the Accelerated Training and Defense Manufacturing program
• Importance of modern labs and dedicated training spaces
• Planning and executing a complex multi-phase move
• Coordination with internal staff and external partners
• Growth goals of expanding student enrollment
• Enhancements in the learning environment and student experience
• Recognition of community and team support during the move

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Training the Workforce in Industrial Fermentation Processes Jan 20, 2025

Industrial fermentation—a core biotechnology process that harnesses living organisms—is a growing discipline used across multiple industries. In this episode of Inside IALR, we recap IALR’s first week-long fermentation workshop, offered in partnership with Virginia Tech and industry experts. Joining the conversation are Dr. Scott Lowman, Ph.D., Vice President of Applied Research at IALR; Biswarup Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., Professor with Virginia Tech's Department of Biochemistry; and Justin Cesmat, Product Line Manager for Bioprocessing at Distek, Inc. They share insights on:

Fundamentals of fermentation and its real-world applications
Workshop structure, participants, and hands-on training
Interdisciplinary skills needed for success in fermentation
Importance of collaboration between academia and industry
Plans for expanding future fermentation training programs

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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A Decade of Service and Impact: Dan River Year AmeriCorps Jan 06, 2025

The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program celebrates its decade of impact in the community. The episode highlights the evolution of the program and its multifaceted approach to address educational gaps in STEM and literacy.
This episode features Dana Silicki (Director of STEM, Service, and Lifelong Learning at IALR), Audia Harris (Program Coordinator at IALR), and Adam Goebel (Executive Director of the Danville Science Center), each of whom share their unique perspective on the impact of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program.
Episode highlights include:
• Overview of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program
• The evolution of focus from STEM to include literacy
• Recruitment processes and member demographics
• AmeriCorps members' roles in classrooms and mentoring
• Success stories demonstrating program impact
• Future directions for community service and educational efforts
• Current recruitment opportunities for interested members

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Collaborative Forces in Maritime and Additive Manufacturing Dec 02, 2024

The U.S. Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE), a linchpin in maritime technological advancement, is located inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement on the IALR campus. This episode highlights the AM CoE as a collaborative hub of strategic importance in meeting the U.S. Navy's ambitious submarine production goals. This project is driving manufacturing innovation forward.
IALR Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement Jason Wells is joined by Advanced Manufacturing Director Jesse Geisbert and Additive Manufacturing Program Manager Aaron Wiest, both from the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB). They discuss the impact of the Navy’s AM CoE and the success stories where the project has prototyped and delivered mission-critical parts for ships and submarines much quicker than traditional methods, such as castings and forgings, and supply chains could have. This informative discussion includes:

What is the Maritime Industrial Base? (01:03)
Advanced manufacturing technology development (06:54)
Partnering with the Maritime Industrial Base (08:54)
Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (11:25)
Public/private partnerships (18:41)
Success stories (24:44)
NASAM & ATDM (31:54)
Another success story (40:04)
AM CoE partners (50:27)
Parting thoughts (53:15)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Transforming the Region for 20 Years - Building an Anniversary Special Series Nov 18, 2024

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years.
For the fourth and final anniversary episode, guest host Daniel Dalton is joined by two important guests who are vital to driving economic transformation: IALR President Telly Tucker and Linda Green, Vice President of Economic Development and Executive Director of the Southern Regional Alliance (SVRA).
There aren't many facilities that serve such a multi-purpose function as the main IALR building, which offers a full-service conference center, on-site café, educational classrooms, research labs for different purposes and a high bay, all in one building. The building has hosted visiting international patrons and guests, governors, various ranking military officials, regional representatives and educators. As economic developers, Telly and Linda have also used the building (and now the IALR campus as a whole) as one of the primary selling points for companies interested in locating in Southern Virginia.

Background and early career (00:45)
Reactions to the construction of IALR (05:13)
Catalyzing economic transformation (08:39)
Since day one (15:30)
Evolution of IALR (16:30)
The building as a tool for economic development (27:41)
IALR as a host (35:32)
Flexing to meet demands (44:51)
Hopes for the next twenty years (46:33)
Parting thoughts (51:12)

For more history and information and to view photos of the construction of 150 Slayton, please visit https://www.ialr.org/history/.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Conference Center Tales - Building an Anniversary Special Series Nov 04, 2024

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years.
This third-anniversary episode features the two longest-tenured employees of both the Conference Center and all of IALR: Diana Parrish (Event Planner and Services Operations Coordinator) and Ellen Bass (Sales and Marketing Manager). From moving into the building and holding an event before it was fully completed to now hosting multi-day, international conferences, Diana and Ellen share their conference center story experiences and stories from the last twenty years. Throughout all those years, updates and technological improvements, Ellen and Diana highlight how the mission of the Conference Center remains the same: serve excellence and open IALR to the public.

Background and early career (00:44)
Nearing completion and moving in (02:51)
The first event/getting the word out & educating the public (07:09)
Catering challenges (10:24)
Megabytes Café (14:15)
Initial responsibilities and early events (18:20)
Trading spaces – how the building has changed (24:27)
Home to the Piedmont Governor’s School (29:18)
Conferences, baby showers, birthday parties, radio dance parties, weddings, Old McDonald’s Farm, oh my! (30:02)
Keeping up with the times (41:36)
Service Excellence (44:02)
Connecting the IALR Conference Center (48:01)
Renovating in 2020 (49:51)
Looking ahead twenty years (53:15)
Closing thoughts (56:22)

For more history and information and to view photos of the construction of 150 Slayton, please visit https://www.ialr.org/history/.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
Get updates from IALR on other channels:

Better Call Maintenance - Building an Anniversary Special Series Oct 21, 2024

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years.
This second special anniversary episode features two maintenance professionals who have kept the building operational all these years: Jeff Forlines (retired Facilities Maintenance) and Stewart East (Senior Facilities Manager).

From opening locked office doors to changing 4,000 light bulbs in 2,800 light fixtures, Jeff shares how he did some of everything as a one-man maintenance team for almost nine years before Stewart was hired. They share stories about moving large research equipment through a standard-size door, explain the process of painting the Atrium’s tall ceiling and highlight their special trick to get helium balloons down from a 30-foot ceiling. Jeff fondly remembers getting to watch fireworks from the roof on the Fourth of July because he was fixing the AC unit.

Jeff’s background and early career (00:37)
Stewart’s background and early career (07:01)
Advantages of seeing what’s behind the walls (08:47)
Growing campus brings Stewart on board (20:08)
Fitting equipment through a door (24:30)
Challenges of a growing campus (25:28)
Installing a walk-in freezer (28:21)
Cleaning all this glass (34:12)
Jeff’s reaction to seeing IALR for the first time (37:19)
Converting to LED (39:00)
Tight spaces and a hot roof (41:45)
Lessons learned during employment (43:25)
Getting familiar with the building and campus (46:38)
Looking ahead twenty years (48:03)
Closing thoughts (50:46)
Help desk ticketing system (51:26)

For more history and information and to view photos of the construction of 150 Slayton, please visit https://www.ialr.org/history/.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
Get updates from IALR on other channels:

The Mind Behind the Iconic IALR Building: Dewberry's Larry Hasson - Building an Anniversary Special Series Sep 30, 2024

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years.
This special premiere anniversary episode features Dewberry's Larry Hasson (Associate Principal | Architecture Department Manager), who led the design team that created the IALR facility. Larry shares the story of how the design and architecture of the 90,000-square-foot building came to be.

Larry's background and early career (00:42)
Initial pitch for what the building needed to be (02:27)
The thought process behind the design and layout of the building (06:47)
How the iconic Atrium facade came to be (17:32)
The choice of building and architectural materials used, such as glass, steel and brick (19:55)
Reactions to the opening of the building (30:42)
Lessons learned and continuing a theme (37:07)
If this building was built in 2024 (42:29)
Looking ahead twenty years (47:38)
Outside inspiration and ahead of its time (57:20)
Closing thoughts (01:02:54)

For more history and information and to view photos of the construction of 150 Slayton, please visit https://www.ialr.org/history/.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
Get updates from IALR on other channels:

Comprehensive Support for All Students: ATDM Wrap-Around Services Sep 16, 2024

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program provides comprehensive and unique support and career services from the day students arrive. This level of support makes the program more successful and accessible.

This episode features three ATDM staff to highlight those services and how they enhance student experiences and outcomes: Kevin Gatewood, Assistant Director, ATDM Student Services; Karen Hardy, Assistant Director, ATDM Career Services and Dr. Debra Holley, Director, ATDM Project Development.

ATDM program overview (01:19)
Support and wrap-around services (02:43)
Career preparation (06:50)
Balancing backgrounds and experience (10:04)
Evolution of ATDM student support (12:19)
Work study program (16:02)
Tutoring assistance (18:01)
Success stories (20:06)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Technology for a Growing and Diverse Campus and Team Sep 02, 2024

This episode features four of the five Information Technology staff: Tim Kruggel, Director of IT; Daniel Cory, Systems Administrator; Jessica Hardy, IT Technician; and Jeremiah Slaughter, IT Specialist. They discuss how the IT department provides services for a diverse and growing campus and team as well as maintaining and upkeeping all types of technology.

Meet and greet the IT staff and their roles (01:32)
Balancing traditional office technology with complex technology needs (04:14)
Supporting a growing organization and campus (10:59)
Managing separate networks for staff, tenants and guests (15:01)
Plugging cybersecurity holes (22:15)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
Get updates from IALR on other channels:

Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture Aug 19, 2024

The Plant Endophyte Research Center at IALR is focused on the use of naturally occurring plant bacteria to help with plant growth promotion and stress response. This is biotechnology in action.
This episode features three of the scientists who run the Plant Endophyte Research: Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research; Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist; and Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa, Senior Scientist.

Defining biotechnology (01:16)
The research focus of the Plant Endophyte Research Center (03:31)
IALR's role in the biotechnology industry (07:49)
Biotechnology collaboration with partners (12:41)
Primary industries where biotechnology is used (15:10)
The goal of the Plant Endophyte Research Center in the next five years (21:41)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
Get updates from IALR on other channels:

Working at IALR: Benefits, Culture and Impact Aug 05, 2024

LaShaun Graham, Vice President of Human Resources, joins the show to define the IALR company culture and discusses her goals for IALR as a workplace. Graham also highlights

What values and competencies are important (00:53)
How IALR maintains growth, especially with having employees working on different shifts and geographic locations (02:28)
What she wants every IALR employee to say about their work experience (09:14)
The IALR benefits package (10:59)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Workforce Programs, Technology Development and More with Jason Wells Jul 22, 2024

Jason Wells, who recently joined IALR as the Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement, joins the show to outline the division's impact and how he plans to contribute to its success. Wells highlights

His career experiences (1:06)
What led him to take this new role with IALR (4:42)
Some of the different programs and focus areas of the Manufacturing Advancement division (7:00)
A three-pronged partnership with the U.S. Navy (13:00)
His vision for the division (19:45)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Two Years for IALR President Telly Tucker Jul 01, 2024

IALR President Telly Tucker returns for the one-year anniversary episode of Inside IALR to discuss the biggest successes and lessons learned from his two years with the organization. As IALR continues to grow, Telly explains the level of growth and impact not only regionally but nationally and internationally in areas such as GO TEC, ATDM and Applied Research. Telly also highlights his vision for IALR two years from now.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
Get updates from IALR on other channels:

ATDM Career Fair - Partnering for Success Jun 10, 2024

This episode features Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) Industry Engagement Coordinator Justin Scarce, current ATDM Non-destructive Testing student Brandon Payne and Pegasus Steel Senior Talent Acquisition Manager Bria Major. The ATDM career fair gives employers the opportunity to meet, interview and hire ATDM students. With a recent attendance of 115 students and over 25 employers, these fairs help place skilled technicians in the following types of jobs:

Additive Manufacturing
CNC Machining
Non-destructive Testing
Quality Control Inspection (Metrology)
Welding

Justin Scarce talks about the accelerated need for skilled labor and how skilled trades tie into the future of the American dream.

Brandon Payne discusses how he learned about ATDM, his job-seeking experience with employers at the career fair and what he’s hoping to find after graduation.

Bria Major talks about how rewarding it is to both recruit students once they complete the ATDM program and also send employees for further training as an industry sponsor.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is leading the ATDM program. This is a Navy-funded workforce development and job placement program which rapidly develops skilled technicians for the manufacturing sector supporting national defense.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
Get updates from IALR on other channels:

Learning to solve problems: the Academy for Engineering and Technology May 27, 2024

A two-year, dual-enrollment program housed at IALR, the Academy for Engineering and Technology (AET) provides experiential learning activities focused on theory and design.

This episode features AET’s Coordinator and Engineering Instructor, John Hatchett, 2016 graduating AET class and current PhD student, Shelita Hall and 2024 AET graduate Caleb Pearson.

John discusses the goals of the program and highlights how the curriculum provides transferrable skills - like problem-solving and collaboration - that students will need in any career.
Shelita talks about what she is currently doing now and how the AET program helped prepare her for higher education and her career with NASA.
Caleb reflects on what the past two years have been and how it has shaped and ultimately connected everything in his life.

Students earn college credits from Danville Community College in math, engineering and English courses. The program is supported by a partnership between IALR, Danville Community College, Pittsylvania County Schools and Danville Public Schools.

If you or your child is interested in the Academy for Engineering and Technology, please visit ialr.org/aet for more information.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning May 13, 2024

The Wonder Community is a lifelong learning program where members join to meet curious people and learn new things. A great network for people of all ages, Wonder provides all types of workshops and skill development opportunities. Brian Stanley, Advanced Learning Program Coordinator, discusses how Wonder got started, shares what makes the community so special and highlights some of the different workshops that have been offered. Jessica Hardy, IT Technician I, shares how she got involved as a member and the skills that she has gained.

If you are interested in joining the Wonder Community, please visit wondercommunity.org. Remember, 60% of your paid membership is donated to a nonprofit of your choice!

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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A New Leader for Southern Virginia's Premier Conference Center Apr 29, 2024

We welcome Tracy Fink, IALR's new Vice President of the Institute Conference Center (ICC), to the team. Tracy explains how her background and experience have prepared her for this role, what grabbed her attention about this opportunity to work with the ICC and outlines her overarching vision for Southern Virginia's premier event venue. She also highlights the ICC's different spaces and capabilities, along with its full-service amenities.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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GO TEC - Generating Talent for Virginia Apr 15, 2024

"The needs across Virginia and the nation are the same. We need to expose students to opportunities earlier, change parents’ mindsets about some of these opportunities, and then bring the voice of business and industry into the classroom. GO TEC is designed to do each of those things and more.”
- Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President of Advanced Learning, IALR
Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) is Virginia's solution to a dependable pipeline of exceptional talent. In this episode, IALR’s Vice President of Advanced Learning, Dr. Julie Brown, and GO TEC Director Angela Rigney discuss how IALR and our partners prepare the skilled workers of today and tomorrow.

GO TEC overview and history (00:58)
Talent pathways (02:32)
Modules and equipment (04:27)
Student experience (07:43)
Benefits of being hands-on (09:52)
Funding and support (16:39)
How and why the modules are chosen (19:06)
How GO TEC remains the same across regions (22:18)
Economic development and measuring impact (30:47)
What is the future (34:32)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Connecting People to Resources and Improving Health Outcomes: the REACH Partnership Apr 01, 2024

The Regional Engagement to Advance Community Health (REACH) Partnership is a systems approach to improve community health. In this episode of Inside IALR, we speak REACH Program Manager Dr. Cassandra Shelton, Regional Coordinator for the Health Collaborative Maggie Richardson, and Care Coordinator and certified Community Health Worker Cindi Poteat about the program's aim to improve health factors and outcomes by connecting people to available resources.

What is the REACH Partnership (1:10)
The program's origin and evolution (2:16)
The role that community health workers and coordinated care teams play in the community by connecting people to available resources (5:45)
How the REACH Partnership is helping the community (9:05)
"There is no wrong entry point." (11:29)
The role of the connected REACH AmeriCorps program (12:29)
Lessons learned (14:25)
Measuring impact (17:45)

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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CNC Machining Innovation Lab Mar 18, 2024

The “Inside IALR” team showcases the CNC Innovation Lab inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) with CMA Operations Manager Kevin Thompson and CNC Technologist Jeremiah Williams. This episode highlights how the 5,791-square-foot CNC Machining Innovation Lab enables new and existing businesses to evaluate their processes, build out improvements and incorporate efficiencies without disrupting current operations. This space empowers manufacturers to increase global competitiveness (02:44). They discuss the role of CNC machining (04:18) and its primary role within the manufacturing industry (06:06). The equipment and processes (08:27) are the main attraction for industry. Kevin and Jeremiah explain the specific services provided by the CNC Innovation Lab (14:46) and also provide a short explanation of the Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) and how the CNC Lab fits into that (19:14).

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Coming Full Circle as an Intern Feb 26, 2024

The "Inside IALR" team sits down with three former interns, Mitchell Doss (Applied Research), Cassidy Pruitt (Communications) and Lleyton Barber (Economic Development), to discuss what led them to their internship with IALR, what the process was like and their experience (3:15). They realize that they have come full circle from being an intern to being employed: Mitchell is now a Virginia Tech researcher based at IALR and Cassidy is a full-time IALR employee (9:13). They also talk about how their internships helped form their career choices and what interests to pursue afterward (14:01). Mitchell, Cassidy and Lleyton all recommend an internship because of the experience and relationships that are hard to get elsewhere (17:09). For more information on this year’s summer internship opportunities, visit ialr.org/internships.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Cutting-Edge Analytical Chemistry Testing Services Feb 12, 2024

The "Inside IALR" team sits down with Senior Analytical Chemist, Yimeng “Jack” He, and Vice President of Applied Research, Dr. Scott Lowman, to discuss what analytical chemistry is (1:02). They discuss the primary capabilities and services offered by IALR’s chemistry lab such as Quality Control (QC) testing, stability studies, method development, and optimization and validation (2:21). Jack highlights some of the different pieces of equipment in the lab (9:05) and explains how it compares to other chemistry labs. Dr. Lowman also highlights the differences between fundamental and applied research (25:03) and how the analytical chemistry lab factors into IALR's other research initiatives.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Industry 4.0: Robots, Automation and Efficiency Jan 29, 2024

What is Industry 4.0? It involves interconnected machines and data analysis capabilities, and it's what allows three robots to utilize two CNC machines and several other tools and processes to convert a piece of raw material into a finished packaged product without any human involvement inside IALR's Industry 4.0 Integration Lab.

The "Inside IALR" team is on location inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) with Butch Kendrick, Director of Digital Manufacturing, to outline the goals and capabilities of the Industry 4.0 Integration Lab (0:33), discuss the main principles of Industry 4.0 (1:47), and explain the processes and technologies inside the lab (12:03). Butch describes some of the challenges in designing and implementing the Industry 4.0 Integration lab (17:38) and highlights additional technologies and processes that he hopes to add to the lab in the future (21:13).

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Behind the Scenes with IALR Support Services Jan 15, 2024

The "Inside IALR" team highlights the support services that help keep IALR running: Facilities Maintenance & Information Technology (IT). This unique (and fun) episode features an engaging conversation with two long-tenured employees, Stewart East, Manager of Facilities Maintenance, and Tim Kruggel, Director of IT.
They discuss how, over the years, these two separate departments have worked seamlessly to support our growing campus, team and impact. We also get them to reveal some of the more interesting help desk tickets they have received and situations they have responded to.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Circular Fashion and Textile Recycling Jan 02, 2024

The average piece of clothing in the U.S. is now worn just seven times, and worldwide, less than 1% of textile waste gets recycled back into textiles.
This special episode of "Inside IALR" features an interview with Iulian Bobe, Co-Founder and Advisor for Circ - a circular fashion company that IALR has supported throughout its lifecycle with a variety of analytical testing services and lab space. Bobe shares the history of Circ, how it started as a technology company to extract sugars and oils from tobacco to produce biofuels, and how it developed a new method to reduce poly-cotton clothing waste.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Advancing the Controlled Environment Agriculture Industry Dec 11, 2023

"GO Virginia Region 3 and IALR are well poised to be the leader in the Commonwealth for Controlled Environment Agriculture." - Ellie Travis, Senior Economic Development Specialist, Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement

This episode of "Inside IALR" features a roundtable conversation with several leaders involved in the recent creation of a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) Roadmap Strategy for GO Virginia Region 3:

Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research at IALR
Bryan David, Program Director of Southern Virginia/GO Virginia Region 3
Ellie Travis, Senior Economic Development Specialist, Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement

They discuss the current state of the CEA industry as a whole, but specifically in GO Virginia Region 3. While discussing the Roadmap, they explain how CEA represents tremendous economic opportunity and growth potential for Virginia.

Some of the directives outlined in the CEA roadmap include establishing a CEA hub that will focus on awareness and informational campaigns, new venture and new enterprise development assistance, expanding CEA technical assistance, accelerating Region 3 site development and continuing and enhancing CEA-relevant workforce development and talent.
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The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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DCC & IALR: A Strategic Partnership Nov 27, 2023

The "Inside IALR" team is joined by two energetic leaders: Danville Community College President Dr. Jerry Wallace and IALR President Telly Tucker. In their conversation, they discuss the strategic, diverse partnership between DCC and IALR, how each organization enhances each other's work and the critical roles that we play in economic development initiatives, workforce training and more in Southern Virginia.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Apprenticeships - A Pipeline of Skilled Talent Nov 13, 2023

The "Inside IALR" team highlights the Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program and how it supports Southern Virginia employers in exploring and establishing registered apprenticeship programs with the Virginia Department of Labor & Industry. This special edition episode features a conversation with IALR Advanced Learning Apprenticeship Coordinator Natori Neal, Danville Life Saving Crew Chief Executive Officer Johnny Mills and Outreach Recruiting and Training Manager Jamie Lynn Lindley, of Comfort Systems USA MidAtlantic.
They discuss what IALR's role is in developing apprenticeship programs across Southern Virginia (00:54), how an apprenticeship differs from a traditional employment opportunity (01:48) and the benefits of apprenticeships for employers and businesses (15:46) and the impact moving forward.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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A Win-Win-Win Program: ATDM Oct 30, 2023

The tenth episode of “Inside IALR” focuses on the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. First, ATDM Director Dr. Debra Holley (00:09) provides an overview of the ATDM program based at IALR, highlighting why this is a unique training opportunity. She explains the significance of this program and outlines how it will scale to graduate 800-1000 students annually by 2025. Then ATDM CNC Machining student Zeke Gibson (17:03) and Quality Control Inspection (Metrology) student Nicholas McCants (24:02) give insight into their background before joining ATDM and how they found out about the program. They also discuss their experience with ATDM as they near completion before starting new careers.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Career ChoICE Youth Expo - 10 Years of Imagining, Connecting and Exploring with Students Oct 16, 2023

The "Inside IALR" team highlights the impact of the recent Career ChoICE Youth Expo events in Farmville and Chatham. This special edition episode features a conversation with IALR Advanced Learning Program Manager Jessie Vernon, Janet Davis of Danville Utilities and Karen Oakes from Averett University School of Nursing. They each give insight into their organization's participation over the years, explain how the event and individual activity stations have evolved, tell stories of memorable student interactions and share the impact the expo makes both for the employers and organizations who provide activity stations and for the students who participate. Over its 10-year history, 36,710 students have participated in this event.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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CEA Summit East - Bringing Industry and Academia Together Oct 02, 2023

The eighth episode of “Inside IALR” focuses on the recent Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East event. This special edition episode features interviews with Virginia Secretary of Forestry and Agriculture Matthew Lohr (2:11), IALR's Dr. Scott Lowman (9:05), AeroFarms' Guy Blanchard (21:49), Virginia Tech's Dr. Kaylee South (30:34), Indoor Ag-Con's Brian Sullivan (40:27) and Virginia Tech's Dr. Michael Schwartz (45:50). Each interview provides unique insights into the growth and potential of the CEA industry and highlights the impact and significance of events like the CEA Summit East for the industry.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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The Institute Conference Center: Modern and Timeless Sep 18, 2023

The seventh episode of “Inside IALR” focuses on the Institute Conference Center (ICC) with Leslie Dobbins, Vice President of the ICC. Boasting dynamic, flexible spaces, the ICC can support events of all types and sizes, ranging from a single meeting with a handful of people to a multi-day conference with hundreds of people. Other services included wrap-around support amenities like catering, technology offerings and event planning. While sharing stories from her 20-year career with the ICC, Leslie explains how the Institute Conference Center contributes to IALR's mission of economic transformation.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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AmeriCorps - Giving Back to Your Community Sep 04, 2023

The sixth episode of “Inside IALR” focuses on two AmeriCorps programs facilitated by our Advanced Learning division: the Dan River Year and REACH programs. Advanced Learning Program Manager, Dana Silicki, provides insight on what AmeriCorps is, the background on IALR's involvement with AmeriCorps, what these programs set out to accomplish, and their impact on the community and program members. Both the REACH (Public Health) and Dan River Year (STEM/Literacy Education) AmeriCorps programs are seeking members.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Economic Development - Transforming a Region Aug 21, 2023

The fifth episode of “Inside IALR” focuses on economic development with Linda Green, Vice President, Economic Development and Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA). She defines economic development, emphasizing that it is not a simple, short-term or one-size-fits-all approach. Linda shares how her team works to recruit companies and promote growth for existing industries, highlights the selling points they make to companies, and explains what economic development looks like in Southern Virginia.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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Controlled Environment Agriculture and a Bridge Between Sectors, Academia and Industries Aug 07, 2023

The fourth episode of “Inside IALR” focuses on some of the research offered by the Applied Research division with Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research. Along with the overview, Dr. Lowman gives an in-depth view of the Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center, the CEA Summit East and the growth of the CEA industry in Virginia and around the world.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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The Center for Manufacturing Advancement: Technology, Partnerships and Impact Jul 24, 2023

The third episode of “Inside IALR” focuses on some of the programs offered by the Manufacturing Advancement division with Todd Yeatts, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement. Along with the overview, Todd gives an in-depth view of the new Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) on IALR's campus. While highlighting the CMA's purpose and capabilities, Todd focuses on the facility's technology, partnerships, innovation and impact.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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STEM Capacity, Connecting Students to Careers, and Lifelong Learning Jul 10, 2023

In the second episode of “Inside IALR,” learn about the many programs and focus areas of the Advanced Learning division from Julie Brown, Vice President of Advanced Learning. Dr. Brown provides an overview of everything Advanced Learning, including the three primary focus areas: expanding STEM capacity, connecting students to careers and promoting lifelong learning and service opportunities. Learning and development opportunities are available to benefit people of all ages, interests and skill levels.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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IALR: Who We Are and What We Do Jun 20, 2023

In the first episode of "Inside IALR," President Telly Tucker breaks down our mission statement and how it informs all of our initiatives. IALR is a collaborative organization by design, and Tucker provides an overview of some of our partnerships and programs. Tucker, who just completed his one-year anniversary with IALR, also shares some notable accomplishments from the past year.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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