News Release
Tyler Orr Named Director of the Launch Center for Career Development
Buena Vista, Va. — Southern Virginia University is pleased to announce Tyler Orr as the director of the Launch Center for Career Development, a program aimed to equip students for success before and after graduation.
“Everything we do in the Launch Center is through that lens of how we can be a blessing to our students and provide them with clarity and support,” said Orr. “This Center will provide them with the tools to fully utilize their amazing education and prepare for the workforce after graduation.”
The Launch Center aims to equip students with crucial work experiences during their undergraduate years to set them up for success in the workforce by providing one-on-one mentoring and guidance on internships and networking.
“We have several overarching goals,” said Orr. “To make sure that every student has the chance to complete at least one internship or other significant experiential learning opportunity before graduation, boost the full-time placement rate for job-seeking students after they graduate, and help them have more clarity on potential career pathways much earlier in their university experience.”
“We also want to more heavily involve our amazing and successful alumni and faculty in our students’ journeys,” Orr continued. “They are an incredible resource, and we’re working on creating opportunities for them to share their knowledge and experience with students interested in their fields.”
Orr previously worked as the associate director of student development and career management at the University of Tennessee and served as the university’s career coordinator from 2021-23, working with undergrad and master students in the supply chain management major.
Orr worked for USAA in the HR Career Development Program from 2018–2021 in various roles, helping create improved career development and career pathing resources and systems for employees. He also volunteered as the program director of career services for Utah State University’s MBA student association from 2018–19, assisted students in their professional development with Bridge to Leadership from 2020–21, and served as a committee member for the National Association of Colleges and Employers in 2022.
He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Virginia, earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University, and two master’s degrees in human resources and business administration from Utah State University. Orr and his family live in Buena Vista.
“I love working with students in career services and helping them find what they want to do with their lives,” said Orr. “Southern Virginia University is an incredible place for students, and I’m excited to be a part of their career journey.”
Alumni and friends of the university who are interested in supporting the Launch Center by becoming a mentor, sharing their work experience, or providing job opportunities to students are invited to complete this survey.