Spotlights

Meet Our Campus! Our Staff’s Favorite Parts of the UVA | Northern Virginia Space

Sophie Perdue headshot Sophie Perdue,  
4 weeks ago

UVA | Northern Virginia’s campus might only be a year old, but we’re already falling in love with it here in Fairfax! We asked our staff what some of their favorite places around campus were, and we were thrilled to hear how much variety there is. From hosting the Inspire Summer program to our upcoming Career Fair, the space is constantly evolving and full of students of every age. Find out more about our programs here today to expand your learning. Also, keep an eye out this month for information about the Virginia Universities Career Fair – you won’t want to miss it!  

Jane Catania, Associate Director of Communications

  • The beehives: The beehives are one of my favorite hidden gems on campus. Not many people expect to find working beehives outside a university classroom building, which makes them such a fun surprise for visitors. They’ve been featured in some of our campus content, and I love that they’re connected to Dean Greg Fairchild’s interest in beekeeping. In the summer especially, it’s fun to watch the hives buzzing with activity and appreciate this unique part of the Fairfax campus.
  • The Café: The café is my go-to spot to grab an iced coffee, have a snack, or take a quick break during the day. It’s a great place to run into colleagues and students and enjoy the energy of the Fairfax campus community, especially during the busy summer months with the Inspire program. The café was also featured in a recent video project—stay tuned for the final result! 

Julie Sara Boyd, Executive Director

  • Open Flex Space: My favorite place to work is in the open space near the cafe. You can look outside and see the trees that surround the campus but you also get a front-row seat to all of the faculty, staff and students that come through the space. I like meeting with our team in the space and then saying hello to a medical student, a staff member from the School of Ed, and then seeing an Engineering faculty…all in the same day. There aren’t many spaces in higher education with such a range of engagement, and I am here for it.
  • The Quiet Room: On the opposite end of engagement, my favorite secret spot is the Quiet Room – the couch is really comfortable and if I need a space to declutter my thoughts, I sit in there, clear my mind and my day is reset. To me, a few minutes in the Quiet Room is better than an afternoon coffee.

Eren Agim, Office Manager

  • The Patio: It’s amazing how easy it can be during the work (and school day) to spend the whole day inside. Luckily, our patio is only a short walk away from my desk whenever I need some Vitamin D. When I’m out there, I usually check up on the family of Warblers that live in the patio garden. 
  • Apple Vision Pro Studio (Under Construction): When I was studying photography and film at VCU, VR was the exciting new frontier of cinema and video art. Now, collaborating with our IT Manager, Andy Phelps, on our spatial video studio feels like a full-circle moment. This project will put the Fairfax campus at the forefront of experimentation with a technology that will open up many new doors for learning in higher ed and beyond—and seeing that I have a new camera to learn, they’re going to have a hard time getting me out of there once it is complete!

Anna Fairs, Associate Director of Programs

  • 3rd Floor Greenery Space: I like the back corner on the 3rd floor where it has plants in the corner. I always gravitate there when I am on a call and don’t need my laptop. 
  • The Café: I enjoy eating lunch in the booths in the cafe, it makes an otherwise large space feel much warmer and more intimate. 
  • Outdoor Campus Space: I love the space outside our campus; I frequently go on walks with coworkers to get some fresh air.