Location
Advancing educational equity for Virginia Tech's first-generation and low-income students
Karen Eley Sanders,Virginia Tech’s Associate Vice Provost for College Access, will speak to the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, about her work to assure educational equity for VT students who could face hurdles because they are first-generation or from low-income families.
The availability of a college education for students from low-income families or families without a tradition of higher education has become an increasing concern due both to recent restrictions and cuts on higher education funding and to the increasing cost of a college degree.
In her 35 years in higher education, Dr. Sanders has worked as a counselor, administrator, chief diversity officer, and faculty member before taking her current position in the Provost’s Office.
As a first-generation college student, she earned a B.S. and M.S. in Psychology from Virginia State University, a doctorate in Adult and Developmental Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and a certified developmental education specialist through the Kellogg Institute at Appalachian State University. Professionally, she is most proud of the scholarship and student success centers and programs she established to facilitate college access, success and graduation for first-generation and low-income students.
