Leanna Blevins

Dr. Leanna Blevins is the Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Academic Affairs at Virginia Tech’s Health Sciences and Technology campus in Roanoke and an Affiliate Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. She leads academic program development, student support services, and multi-campus partnerships, with a focus on integrating undergraduate experiential learning into health sciences education.

Her educational background includes a B.A. from Virginia Tech and both an M.Ed. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. She is a trained facilitator in mentoring from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Blevins' research and professional work emphasize rurality, access to higher education, and health outcomes in underserved and rural communities. She is passionate about equity, inclusion, and policy development, particularly for marginalized populations. As a first-generation college graduate, she is a strong advocate for educational attainment and inclusive leadership.

She has played a key role in managing Virginia Tech’s participation in the NIH-funded $23 million CTSA iTHRIV Scholars program, supporting early-career clinical and translational researchers. Her leadership extends to numerous university and state-level committees, including serving as state chair for ACE Virginia Women in Higher Education and vice-chair of the Virginia Rural Health Association.

• Faculty Advisor, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow Association
• Faculty Advisor, Roanoke Graduate Student Association
• Member, University Commission on Research
• AP Faculty Senator
• Member, Emergency Response Planning Team (Roanoke campus)

Dr. Blevins was honored with the Aspire! Award for CURIOSITY for her transformative leadership and commitment to student success. She mentors students and faculty, fosters community, and champions a culture of inquiry and inclusion. She is also an alumna of the LEAD Virginia program and serves on its board.