Virginia Tech® home

Bevlee Watford, Ph.D.

Professor Emerita

Education

Ph.D. Industrial Engineering & Operations Research, Virginia Tech, 1985
M.S. Industrial Engineering & Operations Research, Virginia Tech, 1983
B.S. Mining Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1981

Research Interests

  • Undergraduate student support programs
  • Diversity

Biography

Dr. Watford served as the Associate Dean for Equity and Engagement from 2019-2024 and as the Executive Director of the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) from 1992-2024. The College of Engineering’s Office of Inclusive Excellence is responsible for fostering a diverse community of faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain top talent from a diverse population to lead tomorrow’s workforce while fostering an inclusive culture that supports a healthy work-life balance.

Awards & Honors

  • Fellow, ASEE

  • 2010 Claire Felbinger Diversity Award from ABET

  • 2011 NSBE-Exxonmobil Impact award for implementing successful research based efforts to improve retention

  • 2008 WEPAN Founders Award in recognition of her service to WEPAN and her efforts to increase the participation of women in the engineering profession.