BLACKSBURG – With Monday marking the start of ACC Fall Unity Week – a seasonal initiative embarking on its fourth academic year – the Virginia Tech athletic department is eager to take the lead in this week's programming centered on the 2023-24 theme, 'civic engagement.'
"Across the conference, ACC Unity Week is a commitment to focusing on the importance of diversity, inclusion and social justice, and really highlighting what each of the ACC institutions is doing with regards to those areas," said Reyna Gilbert-Lowry, Virginia Tech executive associate athletic director for inclusive excellence and alumni engagement.
ACC Fall Unity Week will run from Oct. 14 to Oct. 22 and be reflected by all 15 member schools. Every ACC school also commits to one 'takeover day' annually to leave their mark on the themes of ACC Unity Week; Virginia Tech's day is Monday, Oct. 16.
This year's theme, 'civic engagement,' aims to provide student-athletes with the tools to use their platform and voice during their college careers and beyond.
Gilbert-Lowry thinks the timing of ACC Unity Week had a big impact on this year's theme and is glad student-athlete leaders' voices are being heard.
"I think now more than ever across the NCAA landscape, we are pushing to make sure the student-athletes' voices are front and center. The fact that they made a concerted effort to focus on civic engagement, I think, is very important," said Gilbert-Lowry.
Virginia Tech women's swimming student-athlete Emma Inch is a fifth-year campus leader who represents the Hokies as a vice president of SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee). When not competing in butterfly and individual medley events, she serves on the athletic department's Next Level Leadership team and assists with THRIVE, an athletics committee dedicated to supporting mental health progress.
"I think ACC Unity Week is trying to represent so many different things for people who might not feel like they have a voice," said Inch. "It's about us athletes using our platforms and our voices to engage communities that might not have as big of a platform."
At Virginia Tech, one goal Inch is passionate about is encouraging students throughout the campus community to register to vote.
"We are trying to make sure people are all able to express their own opinions and put a name out for themselves."
Jennifer Arogo, a senior captain on the Virginia Tech HighTechs dance team, shares a unique perspective of ACC Unity Week as a Blacksburg native. Having long been a part of the local community, she feels there is a standard of hers to uphold on campus when it comes to civic engagement.
"At Virginia Tech, we do an excellent job of celebrating our differences," said Arogo. "I think expanding that same sense of fellowship and community across our entire country and across the ACC is what makes this week super special."
With student-athletes like Arogo, Inch and others emerging as community leaders, Gilbert-Lowry believes ACC Unity Week can spark the necessary campus conversations that set positive examples for teammates and peers alike. She is confident the promotion of this week will be very beneficial to creating meaningful habits of civic engagement, especially for students after graduation.
"One of the things [SAAC is] doing throughout the week is partnering with the Hokies Vote Caucus," said Gilbert-Lowry. "Through the service both organizations bring forward, I think our partnership opens the door for us to truly give back to the Hokie community."
So, how does Virginia Tech fit into ACC Unity Week? Cam Spera, Virginia Tech senior director for student-athlete leadership development, provided a snapshot of the Hokies' programming.
"For us, we came into ACC Unity Week with a focus that this is something we have practiced already, but can cater specifically to the theme each year." said Spera.
Spera's excitement about Virginia Tech's 'takeover day' on Monday is rooted in her pride for the Hokies' student-athletes. At the forefront, Tech's SAAC organization will most certainly take the lead in embodying the values of ACC Unity Week.
"It is cool in the sense that the student-athletes directly have a say in the events that we put on, the discussions we have and what we put out on social media," said Spera. "Giving them the ability to change that dialogue, I think is empowering them."
The Hokies are built to host ACC Unity Week and the student-athletes agree.
"I feel like in any aspect, in any place you go, whether it's the classroom or the sports field, Ut Prosim [That I May Serve] can be found," said Arogo. "That's what makes this school so special.
"Because of this, I think ACC Unity Week fits in perfectly with Virginia Tech's values, so it's awesome getting to speak on it and be a part of it this year."
