When many of us were growing up, going to the movies meant standing in multiple lines. First, we had to buy tickets, then we had to wait to enter the theater. Next, the concession line always took forever. Finally, we’d get into the auditorium and make a beeline for our favorite seats, just hoping no one had already snagged them.

Cut to today. The ShowPlace ICON at The Boro is completely changing how we see and experience movies.

Before you even leave the house, you can reserve your seats and order food and drinks online — then have it waiting for you when you arrive. There’s also the option to order at one of the many kiosks in the lobby.

In the auditorium, you’ll find plush, heated recliners, wall-to-wall screens and digital projection. The larger auditoriums are equipped with Dolby Atmos immersive sound and 4K Laser projection.

This 14-screen theatre shows everything from blockbuster hits to specialty films. It even plays big events that are even better when you watch them on the big screen, like UFC fights, concerts and the WWE Summer Slam. For instance, this fall you can watch The MET Opera live.

And be sure to keep an eye out for the anticipated theatre bar and ICON Bistro, scheduled to open in the coming weeks. They’ll feature an entirely new menu, but until then guests can still enjoy select beer, wine and cocktails from the expanded concession menu.

Best yet: For the next several weeks, ShowPlace ICON has a special offer for anyone signing up for Extras, its free membership club. When you sign up as a Tysons member by August 15, you’ll get two free movie tickets.

Enjoy the experience!

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

Depending upon the security concerns involved, it can be extremely helpful when federal employees or government contractors facing security clearance issues have support from a medical professional. In security clearance matters, it’s usually very beneficial and important for our federal employee and contractor clients to consult with a medical professional if appropriate and when medical or medical-related security concerns are under review by clearance authorities.

Types of Security Concerns that Could Involve Medical Professionals

Depending upon the facts of the security clearance case, there are a variety of security concerns for which a seasoned medical professional may be helpful to a security clearance applicant or holder. One of the most common types of security clearance cases in which a medical professional may be helpful involves the psychological or mental health condition of the security clearance applicant or holder under Guideline I, Psychological Conditions, under SEAD 4 (Page 19). Medical professionals may also be of assistance when a security clearance applicant or holder has security concerns involving illegal prescription drug use and/or an alcohol-related traffic matter.

Use of Medical Professionals in Security Clearance Matters

When an individual’s security clearance is at issue, it can be very helpful to obtain a medical professional’s review of the underlying issues for use in mitigating the security concern. When such situations arise, the clearance authority will ask whether there are mitigating factors present regarding the security concerns at issue. Clearance authorities will often take reasoned medical opinions into account when considering whether or not to permit an individual to obtain or retain his or her security clearance. When this occurs, it can be important to have a medical professional’s opinion, especially if a regular physician is not available to meet with the individual to attempt to mitigate the security concerns at issue.

The following examples more clearly demonstrate when a medical professional can be of help to a security clearance applicant or holder:

Example 1: The clearance holder has had three arrests for driving while intoxicated over the past five years. In this situation, it is important to have a medical professional evaluate, counsel and respond to the types of security concerns involved. The medical professional can often outline all of the treatment options available to the clearance holder and analyze the efforts undertaken by the clearance holder to address any alcohol-related concerns or treatment. A seasoned medical professional can also render a medical opinion as to whether or not such issues are likely to reoccur and the best way the clearance holder can avoid such issues in the future.

Example 2: The clearance holder has a significant mental health disorder, and a clearance authority needs to determine whether the medical condition would affect the individual’s ability to hold access to classified information. In this situation, it is important and helpful if a medical professional can provide a reasoned medical opinion as to whether the mental health condition will be an impediment to retaining a security clearance. The medical professional can evaluate the individual’s medical history, treatment undertaken for the medical issues and issue an opinion as to how the medical condition will likely affect the clearance holder in the future. Read More

Address: 11024 Saffold Way
Listed: $565,000

Welcome home to this huge brick townhouse in serene North Reston with three full sunlit levels, four REAL bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, fresh paint, and brand-new carpet on stairs and upper levels.

The kitchen will delight with stainless steel appliances: two full wall ovens, a 28-cubic-foot French door refrigerator (less than 3 years old) and a new five-burner gas cooktop (installed June 2021). There are more than 22 linear feet of cabinets with a wine rack and prep sink, plus two full pantries, an island with more storage and seating, and waterproof flooring. The balcony overlooking the front yard is perfect for enjoying coffee or planting an herb garden. A spacious dining room and living room open to the large deck facing green space. Upstairs, find three large bedrooms with ceiling fans, a full bath and loads of closets.

The lower level has even more closets and storage, a large bright family room, a fourth bedroom with a walk-in closet, a full bath, and a laundry room with a washer and dryer and extra refrigerator. Sliding glass doors walk out to the fully fenced yard.

The home is located half a mile to Forest Edge Elementary School and two minutes to Uplands Pool, tennis courts and a ball field. The bus stop at the corner provides direct service to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. You’re also close to Lake Anne as well as Reston Town Center shops and restaurants.

Listed by:
Renee Greenwell
Keller Williams Realty
Mobile: 202-341-4151 | Office: 703-636-7300
[email protected]
HouseswithRenee.com

By Nicola Caul Shelley and Alison Rice

Ahh, the mid-century home! There are lots of them in Reston, and many homeowners are drawn to them because of their cool architecture, solid construction and unique charm. However, when it comes to remodeling a mid-century home, that charm may also be hiding some underlying issues when it comes time to remodel.

This month, we’re taking a look at some of the more unpleasant surprises that might bust your remodeling project’s budget and/or timeline. But, fear not! We’re also sharing insights into how to plan for and remediate the most common ones.

1. Asbestos. One of the biggest concerns for any homeowner is finding asbestos once demo begins. Be prepared: You or your chosen home remodeling contractor will need to send samples for testing if you find any material that might contain asbestos. If testing shows it does contain asbestos, a specialized abatement company will be needed to remove the material before your remodel can continue. Our advice? Better safe than sorry. Always take action if you uncover any unknown material or substance.

2. Subfloors. When it comes to the subfloor required for today’s tile and hardwood, three-quarters of an inch thick is ideal. Five-eighths of an inch is acceptable. However, most older homes have subfloors that are a half-inch thick, which can be problematic. You may have to install a new subfloor such as tongue-and-groove plywood. This is a thicker product that doesn’t move between joints, which also eliminates those annoying squeaks. Money well spent.

3. Unknown ducts, electrical or plumbing behind walls. The reality TV home make-over shows would have you believe that finding unexpected ducts, electrical or plumbing behind walls in the middle of a remodel is a given. Not so! If you are using a reputable home remodeling company, there should be no surprises once construction starts. At Synergy, we often cut exploratory holes before construction starts and use small, flexible cameras to get a better view of what’s hiding beneath before we get started. If you are doing a DIY home remodel, do your research upfront. If you do find anything unexpected once you demo your kitchen, it will take time and money to resolve. Not fun for anyone.

Matt, Synergy’s Assistant Project Manager, takes a peek at what’s going on behind the walls with a small camera.

4. Questionable wiring. We see it a lot. The older the home, the more likely it is the wiring is not well done or has aged to a point it needs to be repaired or replaced. Older homes typically have fewer outlets, too. The demands of today’s appliances (and the number of them) mean you may need to add a new subpanel and/or install ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets (referred to as GFIs or GFCIs).

5. Inefficient ductwork. Back in the late ’60s and ’70s, it wasn’t required by code that the joints between ducts were sealed. To save you money on your utility bills and maximize your home’s energy efficiency, we highly recommend you seal any ductwork exposed during your remodel with tape or mastic whether it’s running through the floors, ceiling or walls.

Read More

Many of my buyer clients ask what title insurance is, and why they may need to purchase it at the time of closing on their new home.

Simply put, title insurance is an insurance policy that protects you against loss due to an unknown defect in title or an interest in your home. (Real estate title is a legal document stating you are the rightful owner.) It’s a one-time payment; the cost is about 1% of the home’s value, and if you need to make a claim, there is no deductible to pay. Additionally, it covers you for the entire time you own the home. Claims from previous owners or their heirs, judgments against prior owners or permanent easements from utility companies can be extremely costly to the new buyer!

Most common uses of title insurance:

1. Judgment against the prior owner: If the title search didn’t find the judgment or if a new judgment has been issued against the previous owner and the court indexes aren’t updated, a judge can order a lien be put on the home, which you could be responsible for paying. The most common example is a lien put on the property due to costly unpaid medical bills the prior owner has incurred.

2. Easement on the property: Title insurance protects against easements/rights of way that are not recorded properly and can diminish your property value. For example, a cable company could have a permanent easement on your land and have the right to dig large trenches in your yard. If you have title insurance, the company will send you a sum of money based on the purchase price and the type of easement.

What if I chose not to purchase title insurance and an issue arises?

1. You can hire an attorney to help you clear the lien in court and correct the title on your home. Most attorneys charge a $10,000 retainer for such a service.

2. You can simply pay the lien, which can be extremely expensive, and you would still be responsible for clearing/correcting the title at the courthouse.

About 90% of buyers elect to purchase an Owner’s Title Policy to protect them against the risks of an issue arising, and title insurance companies are paying $100 million per year in title insurance claims.

If you have further questions, please reach out to me.

Lynn Cooper is a licensed REALTOR in Virginia with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Whether buying or selling, Lynn is 100% committed to her clients before, during, and after the transaction. Connect with Lynn at 202-489-7894, [email protected] or @lyncooperrealestate.

This summer, as the world begins to open up again with a deepened appreciation for family, we invite you to be together as a part of ours at The Kensington Reston.

Here, that means companionship at your fingertips, new friends to share in conversation, a warm welcome when families come to dine, special-interest activities to enjoy with fellow residents, and of course, care and service that reflects our uncompromising regard for excellence.

We invite you to join and celebrate with us! Every Saturday in July, we will be hosting a complimentary summer concert with refreshments in the courtyard at The Kensington Reston. Please note that we are meeting all recommended safety precautions to keep our residents, staff and guests safe.

• Saturday, July 10, 4-6 p.m.: Julie Price featuring hits from the 40s, 50s, and 60s — come and enjoy Ono Wai Shave Ice
• Saturday, July 17, 4-6 p.m.: Rockville Strings — Acoustic Pop Quartet and enjoy delicious popsicles
• Saturday, July 24, 4-6 p.m.: The Satyr Hill Band — Bluegrass/roots music and enjoy beer Nordic-Knots from Lake Anne Brew House
• Saturday, July 31, 4-6 p.m.: The Wayne Wilentz jazz ensemble and enjoy refreshing gelato

RSVP by calling 571-356-9052 or email Karen Carter at [email protected].

To learn more about The Kensington Reston, visit us at www.KensingtonReston.com.

In an industry like real estate, where first impressions can make all the difference, it’s easy to see how staging has become an integral part of the selling process. Yes, even in this sellers’ market!

How does staging help?

Staging can make the space feel bigger and transforms it into looking brand new. That’s why buyers will pay top dollar. Staging highlights the home’s best features and the home’s potential.

First-time buyer Alissa Cauley had the following to say: “As a first-time homebuyer, I was so excited to decorate my new place — new couches, chairs and tables! But I will be honest I didn’t know where to start. Walking into my future home and seeing it staged made ALL the difference. Staging lets you picture your new life in your new home. Picturing where you will be laying while watching TV, and how to make your place look bigger than it is, really helps. Staging takes the stress out of figuring out where you should put furniture and decorations and lets you really enjoy your move. I love my new place, and I will say, the staging absolutely had a part in that. It was the reason I chose the home over others that were vacant or cluttered with the owners’ belongings.”

What are my staging options?

The process of searching for a home always starts online. It’s important your home looks inviting to “online shoppers.” Professional photography can determine whether or not a future buyer will tour your home. There are a few ways to stage your home, from hiring a professional staging company to virtual staging, which is incredibly affordable. Or you might stage the home yourself, using your own furniture and adding fresh items such as on-trend throw pillows and artwork.

Staging tips:

1. Declutter and depersonalize: Remove items that aren’t integral to everyday life and remove family photos. This helps buyers envision themselves living in your home.
2. Eliminate bad odors: Odors can turn buyers off the second they walk through your front door. It’s a complete turnoff! Whether it’s an air freshener or an animal smell, it’s important not to cover it up. Replace air duct filters, deep clean rugs and carpets, and clean walls and baseboard to eliminate any lingering odors from pets or everyday life. You might consider hiring a professional to remove more intense odors.
3. Increase light: Open curtains, pull the blinds to the top of the window and consider painting dark rooms a light, neutral color. Floor and table lamps are helpful, too, and remember to turn all the lights on before showings.
4. Add “light staging” items: Lots of throw pillows on a king-size bed will make the room look complete and cozy. Add some on-trend artwork and plants — real or fake, either work well to fill up the space and bring more life to a room.

Lynn Cooper is a licensed REALTOR in Virginia with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Whether buying or selling, Lynn is 100% committed to her clients before, during, and after the transaction. Connect with Lynn at 202-489-7894, [email protected] or @lyncooperrealestate.

When it comes to apartment living, amenities are key, and EXO Reston takes both indoor and outdoor amenities seriously. It’s obvious as soon as you step inside the doors.

You’ll find a 24-hour front desk with concierge services, a business center with Wi-Fi and meeting spaces, an Amazon locker system, and a 4,000-square-foot fitness center.

Inside the one-, two- or three-bedroom pet-friendly apartments, discover wood floors, smart windows (great views but with reduced heat and glare), spa-style bathrooms and high-end appliances.

Outside, enjoy the community. Take a dip in the saltwater pool, or chill on the sun deck. Head up to the roof to take in the views and have a happy hour cocktail with friends.

EXO Reston is centrally located, just a short walk from Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and the Reston farmers market. You’ll also find a slew of nearby restaurants and shops. Makers Union, Poke Hub and Brown Bag are all less than a five-minute walk, just to name a few.

If you want to learn more about EXO Reston and the available summer deals, schedule a tour of the community.

Whether you’re tight on time or dread doing that much-needed deep-cleaning around the house, it may be worth calling in reinforcements.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a cleaning company you truly feel good about hiring, but Well-Paid Maids wants to change that.

They are the region’s only living-wage cleaning company. What that means: Well-Paid Maids actually pays its employees a wage they can live off of — $20+/hour.

And their cleaners are employees, not just contractors, which means they receive a full benefits package, including health, dental and vision insurance; 22 paid days off a year; and 100% employer-paid commuting costs — just to name a few perks.

“Not only are our labor practices the right thing to do, but they also lead to better results for our customers,” explains Aaron Seyedian, the founder of Well-Paid Maids.

The company has been around since 2017 and has grown to a team of 15 employees and counting.

You can learn more about Well-Paid Maids’ mission, meet the employees and book a cleaning online.

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.

By Kimberly H. Berry, Esq.

Employees in Virginia are “at will,” which means they can be terminated at any time for any reason and severance is not typically required. When employment ends, however, an employer may offer a severance package to an employee in exchange for the employee’s waiver of rights.

However, employers, in the absence of an agreement or severance policy, generally have no obligation to provide employees severance pay. If severance pay is offered, an employer will require the employee to sign a severance agreement, agreeing to a number of terms.

A severance agreement is a contract between the employee and an employer that provides end-of-employment terms between the employer and the employee. Severance agreements are often offered in termination cases, but can also be offered to employees who are laid off or who are considering retirement.

Additionally, depending on the circumstances, a severance agreement may be offered to an employee who resigns or is terminated. A severance agreement must have something of value (also referred to as consideration) to which the employee is not already entitled to be enforceable.

Employers are generally required to provide an employee time to consider the severance agreement before signing. For instance, an employee usually has a 21-day consideration period to accept the severance agreement and at least a seven-day revocation period to revoke an employer’s severance agreement if the employee is 40 years or older.

Severance agreements usually contain far more than just compensation terms. They can include any number of agreements. Some examples of possible terms in a severance agreement follow:

• Reference information
• Financial terms, the timing of severance payments and potential tax information
• Continuation of health benefits
• Unemployment compensation benefits
• Waiver of claims against an employer (e.g. whistleblower, discrimination)
• Confidentiality (e.g. neither side will reveal the terms of the agreement)
• Non-disparagement (e.g. neither side will say negative things about the other)
• The possibility of re-employment
• Non-competition agreements
• Preservation of trade secrets

Severance agreements will always include a general release or waiver that prohibits the former employee from filing a lawsuit against his or her employer for wrongful termination. Before an employee signs a severance agreement, he or she should consult with an attorney to discuss the rights that he or she may be waiving and the terms of the severance agreement.

Contact Us

If you are in need of employment law legal representation or advice, please contact our office at 703-668-0070 or through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook or Twitter.

Today’s artificial-intelligence and machine-learning technologies touch all aspects of the computing environment, from front-end systems to back-office workflows. Many IT and business leaders are realizing significant business value from their investments.

For some, this means the ability to process information, such as financial data and customer interactions, at a higher speed than humans and with fewer errors due to sophisticated algorithms. For others, AI/ML lets IT leaders quickly understand pressing problems and execute a plan of action. AI-powered cybersecurity tools, which can detect threats before they have a chance to wreak havoc on IT infrastructure, are a perfect example.

“AI and ML are such powerful technologies,” says Kendall Giles, a faculty member in Virginia Tech’s online Master of Information Technology (VT-MIT) degree program. “The more you can spread an understanding of these technologies throughout your organization, the better off everyone will be.”

As reliance on AI and ML grows, so too does the need for talent with the knowledge and skills to use these tools in a robust business and IT environment.

That’s why Virginia Tech’s fully online Master of Information Technology program recently launched a new Innovation and Entrepreneurship in AI/ML specialization area.

“With all the challenges of deploying AI systems, IT and business leaders need a wide variety of expertise, from operational to strategic skills, to identify problems that can be solved with AI,” Giles says. “While most AI and ML programs focus only on algorithms, the MIT program offers both a technical foundation as well as leadership skills.”

Another key differentiator of the online MIT program: Students hail from a wide variety of industries and disciplines. This comes in handy when it’s time to divide them into groups to develop a problem involving an interesting data set, either public or proprietary. In most cases, the goal is to tackle a predictive application, algorithm or task that makes sense for a particular domain.

“Students come from all of these different backgrounds and have a wide variety of skills, which leads to some interesting discussions and perspectives,” Giles says. “By contributing these unique insights, they improve the learning experience for everyone.”

Visit vtmit.vt.edu to learn more about Virginia Tech’s 100% online Master of Information Technology program.

This summer, as the world begins to open up again with a deepened appreciation for family, we invite you to be together as a part of ours at The Kensington Reston.

Here, that means companionship at your fingertips, new friends to share in conversation, a warm welcome when families come to dine, special-interest activities to enjoy with fellow residents, and of course, care and service that reflects our uncompromising regard for excellence.

We invite you to join and celebrate with us! This Saturday, June 26, we will be hosting a complimentary summer concert with refreshments in the courtyard at The Kensington Reston. Please note that we are meeting all recommended safety precautions to keep our residents, staff and guests safe.

When? Saturday, June 26, 4-6 p.m.
What? The Classics with Samy Youssef and enjoy gelato

RSVP by calling 703-559-8294, or email Alexandra Ramsey at [email protected].

To learn more about The Kensington Reston, visit us at www.KensingtonReston.com.

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

By now, it’s not new news that the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly resulted in an increased demand for home remodeling services.

Summer may be here, but even as we start to enjoy a little more “normalcy,” demand remains high. The pandemic sharply refocused minds on the importance of “home” and the desire to get what we want in our houses for our own enjoyment — and to put every square foot to good use. And there is one place in the home that is especially true: the basement!

It’s not always easy to know where to start, so here are five tips to help you plan for your basement remodel.

1. Make a list

What is it you want out of your basement remodel? Throwing up drywall and a coat of paint is much easier and less expensive than a design-thoughtful basement transformation. Make a list of your “must-haves,” “like-to-haves” and “pinch me” items. Here’s what this might look like.

• Must-haves:
  • Refinish/finish rec room
  • Create guest bedroom
  • Add guest bathroom
• Like-to-haves:
  • Custom bar and beverage center
  • Add walk-out
  • Add space for separate home gym
• Pinch Me List:
  • Sauna
  • Temperature-controlled wine cellar

This will help you get your priorities right and give you a starting point for discussion with any contractors. As you begin to define the scope of your project and understand costs, it will also help you to focus on the things you can live without and can compromise on — or to make an informed decision to splurge on the things on your “pinch me” list!

2. Think about the best way to create “zones” in your space

One of the biggest mistakes we see homeowners make is not thinking through how they’ll actually use the space once it’s finished. If you entertain a lot, you need lots of places for guests to sit and convenient places to rest drinks and food. Separate zones mean guests can relax at the bar, watch the latest movie in a comfy chair or just find a quiet corner.

If your teens are going to be hanging out down in the basement the most, plan for the additional space you need for a pool or billiards table (and make sure there is room to take a shot without the cue banging into a wall!), that much coveted foosball table or anything else on their wishlist. A full-service design-build home remodeling company like Synergy can help with all of the above, but if you use a general contractor, help with furniture placement and layout may be outside of their scope of services.

3. It’s all about lighting!

Occasionally, folks comment on professional home remodeling photos: “It only looks much better because of the lighting in the ‘afters’ the professional photographers take.” While there is some truth to this, the camera, in this case, doesn’t lie! We put a lot of focus and attention on how to maximize lighting in the home remodels we work on. Nowhere is this more important than in a basement, which tends to be darker than the rest of the home.

Make a lighting plan and add recessed as well as pendant lighting if you can afford to. We also love under-cabinet lights if you have upper cabinets in the bar or integrated lighting under floating shelves. This helps provide functionality and/or ambiance while the rest of the room is in darkness for movie watching. Even better? Put dimmers on all your lights so you can easily create the mood you’re looking for.

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Like many first-time homebuyers, you’ll first reach out to family and friends when you decide to buy your first home. While the advice you receive has the best of intentions, what you hear may not be the way to win a contract in today’s fast-paced seller’s market.

Consider the following tips:

1. Obtain pre-approval

Talk to a couple of local mortgage lenders (not necessarily large banks) and get your pre-approval early on. Looking at homes without having your pre-approval is pointless; you’ll end up wanting to make an offer and then have to back-pedal to get your financing in order. You may be too late to the party at that point.

Getting pre-approved generally takes 48 hours, and that’s only if you have bank statements, tax returns and pay stubs on hand. If you take this step first, you’ll know what you can afford and better target your home search, plus you’ll be ready to make an offer. Sellers simply won’t consider a contract without a pre-approval letter.

2. Be willing to waive contingencies, including the home inspection

In my experience, very few buyers have the luxury of conducting a home inspection in this market. If waiving the inspection makes you nervous, consider buying a home warranty to cover the home’s major systems should something break. Also, consider waiving the appraisal and financing contingencies. Making a “clean offer” to a seller has been very successful lately.

3. Offer a high earnest money deposit

Show a seller you’re serious! The earnest money deposit (EMD) shows a buyer’s good faith in the transaction. If a typical EMD is $10,000, then offer $20,000. Don’t worry, this amount is credited toward your down payment at closing so simply consider it a technique to get the seller’s attention.

4. Be flexible

Consider the seller’s timeline. If they want to settle on a certain date or with a particular title company, offer to meet those requests. Also, giving a seller extra time to move via a free rent-back can make your offer very appealing.

5. Write a personal note to the seller

Not everything in a home sale is about money. Seller’s feelings about their home are often very strong. Appealing to their nostalgia in a short, personal letter about how you’ll enjoy living there might sway them!

Lynn Cooper is a licensed REALTOR in Virginia with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Whether buying or selling, Lynn is 100% committed to her clients before, during, and after the transaction. Connect with Lynn at 202-489-7894, [email protected] or @lynncooperrealestate.

Virginia Tech’s Evening MBA announced that students will return to its Falls Church center for classes this August. The Evening MBA program is among the best in the country and the top part-time MBA program in Virginia, according to a 2022 survey of the nation’s top graduate schools by U.S. News & World Report.

“We know many students choose the Evening MBA because they value the in-person interactions they have with classmates and faculty members,” said Rebecca McGill, associate director of MBA recruiting at Virginia Tech. “We’re excited to return to in-person classes and provide those rich learning and networking opportunities that some find they’ve missed in the online environment.”

At the same time, McGill says there has been a high level of interest in Virginia Tech’s recently launched Online MBA.

“We were pleased with the level of interest for our first Online MBA cohort, and I think that reflects the changing needs and preferences of today’s professionals after a year of adapting to remote work,” said McGill.

Dana Hansson, director of MBA programs at Virginia Tech, says it’s important to adapt to meet students wherever their needs are. “Our strategic focus since 2013 has been to provide working professionals with flexible options that fit into their personal and professional lives,” she said.

Virginia Tech’s current suite of programs includes the Evening MBA, Online MBA and the Ballston-based Executive MBA. All are part-time formats designed with working professionals in mind.

Applications for the Evening MBA program are due July 1. Learn more about Virginia Tech’s MBA programs at mba.vt.edu.