April L. Wood

With more than 20 years of experience in human resources, April has served the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 2011, as HR manager from 2011 to 2024, interim HR division director, and currently as Senior HR Manager for Virginia Cooperative Extension.

April joined Virginia Tech in 2008 as employee relations consultant in the Division of Human Resources. Prior to joining Virginia Tech, she served as HR generalist for Warm Hearth Village, a retirement community in Blacksburg, Virginia for nearly five years.  Other experience includes contract compliance and memberships on boards and councils.

Her best skills include navigating complex challenges, university systems and policies, leading through transition and a strong foundation in executive leadership and change management. She holds a master’s degree in executive leadership from Liberty University and a bachelor’s in organizational management and leadership from Bluefield College. She has earned the designation of Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and KAI Accreditation. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Life Sciences Agricultural Education and recently received a graduate certificate from Virginia Tech in Problem Solving for Leading Change.  Her future goals include teaching leadership skills to undergraduate students.