Marketing for Social Impact: Customer Driven Accessible AI Product Design at the Intersection of Business and Technology

How can we develop and create AI-powered navigation products that empower individuals with vision impairment? How do we market these products and make them accessible while creating both economic and societal impact? The AI-Accessibility project, funded by ICAT’s Major SEAD grant, brings together faculty and student researchers from architecture, computer science, human sciences, and marketing, to design and test new building technologies which aim to maximize the functionality of artificially intelligent navigation aids for individuals with disability. The project was part of Pamplin’s interactive exhibits showcased in Academic Building One during the Innovation Campus Grand Opening on February 28 and will be featured in an exhibition in the Cube on April 9th, 2025.  

Coming Up: Virginia Tech Sales Center’s “Battle in Blacksburg” Is Its Most Competitive Yet  

The Virginia Tech Sales Center will host the Battle in Blacksburg (BIB) collegiate sales competition on March 28th-29th, This year, in addition to James Mason University, Virginia Tech will face off against which, traditionally between VT and JMU, has expanded this year to include Old Dominion University,Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Catholic University of America. Students will compete in a role-play sales scenario and a speed-sell competition sponsored by CoStar (Homes.com), and put classroom skills like discovery, negotiation, and closing into action via real sales scenarios. This competition attracts numerous business-to-business sales companies recruiting for sales positions, offering competitors the opportunity to meet them at two separate events. The Sales Education Foundation has recognized the VT Sales Center as one of the best sales schools in America for the past eight years, for its commitment to the sales profession and providing students invaluable practice within the industry.  

Empowering Students for Success: A Look into Marketing’s “Personal Well-being and Professional Success” Course  

Piloted in 2020 with only seven students, the “Personal Well-being and Professional Success” (MKTG 3134) class has grown into one of the most sought-after course offerings, with over 100 students in the 2025 spring semester. Taught by Professor Vicky Dierckx and Ms. Carolyn Kogan, the curriculum focuses on topics of well-being, such as personal relationships, gratitude, money, and stress management. A core component of the class is the "I WILL" statement, a goal-setting exercise where students reflect on their values, strengths, and dreams to set personal goals. These public goal-statements add an element of accountability to help motivate students to achieve their dreams and are featured here. 

Get Involved: Expand Your Horizons in Marketing with AMA

The American Marketing Association (AMA) at Virginia Tech is a student-run organization dedicated to fostering professional development, networking, and hands-on marketing experience for students interested in the field. As a collegiate chapter of the national AMA, the organization provides members with opportunities to engage in case competitions, attend industry conferences, and connect with marketing professionals through guest speakers and networking events. Additionally, AMA at Virginia Tech supports experiential learning by collaborating with local businesses and nonprofits on marketing projects, helping students apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. The organization welcomes students from all majors who have an interest in marketing, branding, and business strategy. For additional information, AMA @ VT or visit their website @ amavt.com.