Travis Williams

Responsibilities

Travis Williams serves as the assistant director for marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation. His primary tasks include the creation and co-creation of storytelling that elevates the awards, results, and real-world impacts of Virginia Tech research to both internal and external audiences. He assists in the development of university-wide and department-specific communications plans and helps develop and share storytelling best practices through collaboration with research institute communicators, colleges communications, and the central communications and marketing team. He also works closely with the university’s media relations team to ensure the most relevant research-related content is available and accessible to both local and national news outlets.

Background

Williams previously served as writer / editor for the Office of Research and Innovation. He joined Virginia Tech in 2017 and worked as a writer with the central communications and marketing team until early 2023. In that role, he worked closely with the Virginia Tech News and Virginia Tech Magazine staff to craft and curate timely and effective storytelling. He also curated content for the monthly newsletter and oversaw the Virginia Tech Magazine social media accounts.

Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, Williams spent more than six years working in a variety of roles for The Roanoke Times, including as a general assignment reporter in the New River Valley. He also spent a year teaching middle school history in South Carolina, but doesn’t really like to talk about it.

Education

Williams has a bachelors in theology from Mid-Atlantic Christian University, a master of science in education from Radford University, and a master of arts in new media journalism from Full Sail University.