Herbert Bruce, associate director of University Studies, has joined the Department of Food Science and Technology as its new assistant professor of practice for undergraduate education. 

In his new role, Bruce will take over all undergraduate advising duties from student favorite Linda Granata, who retired last June after nine years guiding students through FST’s undergraduate program. He will also be involved in planning the First-Year-Experience course for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and teach a number of food science courses.

Bruce brings considerable experience in shepherding new students through their undergraduate careers to FST, having served as associate director of University Studies since coming to Virginia Tech in 2013 and director of First-Year programs at Lynchburg College for 10 years prior to that. In 2017, Bruce was named an outstanding first-year student advocate by the National Resource Center for First-Year Experiences and Students in Transition, an honor bestowed each year upon the five educators nationally who most embodied higher education development and success. 

“Dr. Bruce has a wealth of experience advising students across several levels of academia, and he has been with us as one of our faculty for several years,” said FST Department Head Joseph Marcy. “I’m incredibly pleased to have him in this new position.”

Despite only having joined the department full-time this semester, Bruce will already be a familiar face to many FST students. As an accomplished beer-maker by training and the former head brewer of multiple breweries, he has taught Applied Malting and Brewing Science — one of the more advanced courses in the department’s internationally recognized fermentation program option — since 2015.

Students can find Bruce in office 25D of the Food Science Building. He holds walk-in hours on Mondays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and is available for meetings throughout the rest of the week by appointment.

“I’m here as a resource and mentor to our undergraduate students,” Bruce said. “My plan is to continue developing new ways to help our students find success in their time with us and ultimately meaningful employment as they graduate from Virginia Tech.”

Bruce received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University in biochemistry and higher education administration, respectively. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in education leadership. He also completed the Master Brewers Certificate Program at UC Davis and received a diploma in brewing from Institute of Brewing and Distilling in London.

—Written by Alex Hood

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