Celeste D. Brogdon

Celeste Derey Brogdon serves as the assistant dean of advancement for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, where she works to strengthen philanthropic support, deepen alumni and partner engagement, and advance the college’s strategic priorities. She brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education advancement, with a strong focus on agriculture, food systems, and large‑scale, collaborative initiatives at land‑grant institutions. 

Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Brogdon held senior leadership roles at NC State University, where she supported major agricultural initiatives including the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative and the N.C. Food Innovation Lab. Her work emphasized strengthening relationships across academia, industry, government, and agricultural organizations, and helping secure philanthropic and public‑private support to move research, education, and outreach efforts forward.

A Roanoke native, Brogdon earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Meredith College. She is proud to return home to Virginia and contribute to the land‑grant mission through work that supports teaching, research, and Extension across the commonwealth.