Classes began today at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus as students returned to the 300,000-square-foot Academic Building One for their first complete fall semester since the building opened in January.
The 11-story facility at 3625 Potomac Avenue houses more than 500 graduate students in computer science, computer engineering, and business programs. Located adjacent to the Potomac Yard-VT Metro Station, the campus focuses on research in artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and next-generation wireless technology.
New institute launches
The campus underwent significant changes in May, dropping the “Innovation Campus” label to simply be called Virginia Tech. The university also unveiled its new Institute for Advanced Computing, housed in Academic Building One and led by interim director Kirk Cameron.
“The Institute for Advanced Computing is designed to produce world-class engineers, computer scientists, and business leaders to support the region’s booming technology sector,” Cameron said.
Students had until today to withdraw from the semester with a 100% refund, and have until Thursday to add classes.
Student services and facilities
The building includes comprehensive student services, with the Hokie One Stop on the second floor providing counseling, registrar services, financial aid, and housing assistance. The campus library is on the fifth floor.
While Academic Building One was under construction from 2020 to 2024, students attended courses virtually and at Virginia Tech’s Northern Virginia Center in West Falls Church. The Alexandria location is about two miles from Amazon’s Arlington headquarters.
Academic calendar
Classes run through Dec. 10, followed by final examinations Dec. 12-17. Fall break is scheduled for Oct. 17, and Thanksgiving break runs Nov. 22-30.
In his welcome message published today, President Tim Sands emphasized Virginia Tech’s expanding reach and record-breaking achievements. “It is exciting to see Hokies filling our campuses in Blacksburg, Roanoke, Alexandria and other locations across the commonwealth and beyond, ready to take on new challenges and serve our communities,” Sands wrote.
The university is experiencing significant growth, with first-year students representing a record number of Virginia high schools as well as 48 states and 82 countries. “Our global reach is at an all-time high, thanks to our active work to broaden interest in Virginia Tech around the world,” Sands noted.
The president also highlighted Virginia Tech’s research success, noting that extramural research expenditures appear set to reach another record high. The university recently ranked fourth among Patent Powerhouses in an IEEE Spectrum survey, behind Harvard, MIT and the Harvard/MIT Broad Institute.
