Virginia Tech® home

Delaney Tifft

Delaney Tifft
Delaney Tifft

When community, kindness, and empathy are some of your core values, what do you do during a global pandemic and uncertain end to college? If you are Delaney Tifft, you look for new ways to connect and help. You see an opportunity to become more empathetic. You consider your values when making decisions about how to spend your time.

Her nominator wrote, “Delaney has embraced the many challenges presented by COVID-19. She has been reflective about the ways these experiences can help us develop a deeper understanding of community and force us to find creative ways to serve others.”

She added, “I feel so lucky to have conversations about personal growth with such a reflective and intentional individual as Delaney.”

As an Engagement Ambassador for Student Engagement and Campus Life, Delaney began working on the Be Well, Lead Well campaign, which promotes personal well-being as a dimension of effective leadership.

“Delaney shared experiences from her own journey leading Sensations, a women’s a cappella group, and speaks profoundly about the importance of developing an affirmative community for individuals to prosper,” her nominator wrote.

She also committed herself to the personal work of becoming more empathetic, supporting others, and learning more about social justice.

Her nominator added, “Delaney has consistently impressed me over the last few years with her ability to ground herself in her values while staying open to the experiences that allow her to continue to grow.”

Delaney shared that her values are a huge part of her identity. “These values are helping me reach my goal of becoming someone who has a positive impact,” she said. “We often focus on what we say, what we do, and how we can add to conversations. But I have learned that the best way to grow is to listen to those around you.”

Delaney – I am proud to present you with the Aspire! Award for YOUR PURSUIT OF SELF-UNDERSTANDING AND INTEGRITY.