Retired U.S. Army COL Craig J. Alia ’92, who has served since 2019 as the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets’ deputy commandant for the 1st Battalion, has been named the vice commandant for the Corps of Cadets and will immediately begin serving in his new role.
As the corps’ vice commandant, Alia will serve as the commandant’s principal advisor and be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and direction of the commandant’s staff, particularly regarding corps operations.
Alia has a distinguished career of service in the U.S. Army as a company commander with the 82nd Airborne Division, battalion commander with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, and brigade commander with the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), along with numerous additional staff and leadership assignments.
During his 5 1/2-year tenure as deputy commandant for the 1st Battalion, he has provided guidance and mentorship to over 1,500 cadets. Alia will concurrently serve as deputy commandant while a search committee forms to identify his successor.
“I have had the pleasure of working with COL Alia for years. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to excellence, and he will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to provide our cadets with excellent opportunities for leadership, scholarship, and service by expanding relationships with university partners,” said Frances Keene, vice president of Student Affairs. “I am thrilled to welcome him to his new role and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our Corps of Cadets and the entire Virginia Tech community.”
