CTLR Faculty Receives a 2025 Virtue Award

Read more about all of this year’s Virtue recipients in the full Communications article.

Communications’ article excerpts:

Hector Vila, associate professor of writing and rhetoric, is well known for his expertise in experiential learning, student cohort-building, and academic inequality. He challenges students to engage with global issues while also encouraging them to identify and address their own barriers to success. “He has always helped me recognize the challenges that are holding me back,” said a student nominator. “Then he helps me find ways to tackle each challenge and find success. He works with each student based on their unique needs and situation. He has been one of the most influential professors I have ever seen.”…Vila also mentors faculty through CTLR (Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research) professional development programming and as co-organizer of the annual Teaching and Writing Retreat—a forum for strengthening teaching across the institution…Students “line up outside his office for long conversations,” said a nominator, noting that he “listens deeply, knows when to push, and knows when to support.”

Established in 2017 by Ted ’82 and Dani Shaw Virtue ’82, P’10, ’15, the award recognizes individuals who have gone beyond their normal professional responsibilities to support and connect with students and build a more engaged and inclusive Middlebury. Each year, faculty, staff, and students of the College, Institute, Language Schools, Schools Abroad, Bread Loaf School of English, and Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences are encouraged to submit nominations for this award.