Dr. Edward Spencer received a B.A. in psychology from the University of Rochester, an M.A. in student personnel administration in higher education from Syracuse University, and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Delaware. He is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Management Development Program.

A professional in Student Affairs for 38 years, Dr. Spencer's area and department head responsibilities have included housing, residence life, dining services, judicial affairs, fraternity and sorority life, career services, student life, student unions, student activities, the international center, orientation, off-campus housing, town/gown community relations, crisis management, and learning communities. Dr. Spencer began his professional career in Student Affairs at the University of Delaware in 1970 where he held three different positions. He came to Virginia Tech in 1983 as Director of Housing and Residence Life, became Director of Residential and Dining Programs in 1989, was named Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs in 1996, and, subsequently, Associate Vice President in 2004. During the summer of 2005, he also served as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs. While working in Student Affairs at the University of Delaware, he taught several undergraduate courses and now, at Virginia Tech, he teaches the graduate course “The American College Student and the College Environment.”

Dr. Spencer’s awards include: Dissertation of the Year from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators; Most Outstanding Faculty Advisor, Most Outstanding Chapter Advisor, and the Order of Constantine from the Sigma Chi International Fraternity; and Executive of the Year from the New River Valley Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Additionally, Virginia Tech’s annual Fraternity Advisor of the Year Award is named the Spencer Award in his honor. Dr. Spencer is known for a variety of professional publications and presentations, and serves on many local, regional, and national committees and organizations. In recent years he has concentrated his presentations and consultations on: the nature of today’s college students, tragedy and recovery at Virginia Tech, principles of team-building, building and renovating residence halls and Greek housing, student judicial systems, and organizational models.