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Ateba Whitaker

Associate Professor of Practice
2099 Pamplin Hall (0233)
880 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
ateba@vt.edu
540-231-6353

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Academic Areas

  • Digital Ethics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Educational Access
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Ethics in AI Business Practices

Education

  • Ph.D. Student, Individualized Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program, Virginia Tech
  • M.A. in International Management, Portland State University (2001)
  • Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Social Entrepreneurship, Portland State University (2012)

Biography

Ateba Whitaker is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Management at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business and a Ph.D. student in the university’s Individualized Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program. Her research explores the intersection of ethical artificial intelligence (AI), adolescent well-being, and the societal impact of digital platforms—drawing from marketing, entrepreneurship, psychology, and computer science.

Her work investigates how AI-driven systems shape identity, influence adolescent decision-making, and reinforce patterns of exclusion in digital environments. Central to her mission is a guiding question: How can technology be designed to affirm, rather than erase, the diverse experiences of young people?

As both an educator and a mother, Whitaker brings a human-centered lens to her work. She translates academic research into practical strategies for educators, technologists, and policymakers, and shares her insights through publications such as Today’s Parent and Your Teen Magazine.

Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Whitaker spent over two decades building ventures at the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. She founded Shoe Revolt, a national social enterprise combatting human trafficking, and Unreasonable Kids College, a nonprofit helping youth engage in ethical entrepreneurship. Her work has received national recognition, including awards from the United Nations and the City of Norfolk.

At Virginia Tech, she teaches courses in entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship and contributes to global programming through the university’s Dual Degree partnership with Xidian University in China.

Research Interests

  • Ethical AI and Adolescent Mental Health
  • Algorithmic Bias and Identity Formation
  • Digital Marketing and Youth Consumer Behavior
  • Inclusive Design and Tech Equity
  • Social Entrepreneurship and Systems Change
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches to AI Ethics

Courses Taught

MGT 2064 – Foundations of Entrepreneurship
 Introduces students to entrepreneurial thinking, opportunity recognition, and real-world application. Emphasizes ethical decision-making, inclusion, and innovation in business development.

MGT 3074 – Social Entrepreneurship (Beginning Spring 2026)
 Explores how social entrepreneurs leverage resources to drive social change and address unmet needs. Focuses on building an entrepreneurial mindset and preparing students to lead with purpose in impact-driven environments.

Dual Degree Program with Xidian University
 Delivers in-person entrepreneurship courses in China as part of Virginia Tech’s international partnership with Xidian University. Emphasizes cross-cultural innovation, ethical leadership, and global entrepreneurship.

Awards and Honors

  • 2024 Student-Nominated Faculty Member of the Year, University of Kentucky
  • 2021 Hampton Roads Businesswomen of the Year, InsideBiz (Virginian-Pilot)
  • 2021 Community UPLIFT Award, City of Norfolk
  • 2020 United Nations Solidarity in ACTION SDGs Award
  • 2013 Women Deliver Social Enterprise Finalist, Clinton Global Initiative
  • 2010 Featured Innovator, ABC’s 14C Campaign
  • 2006 Best Faculty Advisor Award, Old Dominion University

Presentations and Publications

Exploring the intersection of AI, ethics, and human flourishing on global platforms.

Invited Talks

Floyd TechFest 2025
 Floyd County High School Career and College Development Center, Floyd, VA • July 31, 2025
 Growing Up with AI: A Tech-Ethics Game Plan
 Delivered two educator training sessions:

  • Session 1 (Grades 6–8): Curious, Capable, and In Control – Helping preteens navigate identity, social comparison, and AI-generated content.
  • Session 2 (Grades 9–12): Ethical AI and Adolescent Well-being – Teaching high school educators to guide students in responsible AI use and digital leadership.

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CELT) Course Design Clinic
 Virginia Tech, Newman Hall • August 13, 2025
 Keynote: The Waldo Effect – Teaching with Presence, Purpose, and Permission to Be Real
 Delivered keynote address focused on designing authentic learning environments. Addressed visibility, vulnerability, and aligning pedagogy with personal values and identity.

German Fulbright Summer Institute
 June 2025
 Social Entrepreneurship Across Borders: A U.S.–German Exchange on Building Impact
 Presented work on ethical innovation and youth-led social entrepreneurship as part of an international research and teaching exchange.

Conference Presentations

Academy of Management (AOM) Annual Meeting
 Copenhagen, Denmark • Bella Center (Poster Hub Green 102) • July 28, 2025 • 13:00–14:00 CEST
 All Bodies Belong: Addressing Algorithmic Bias and Body Image Harm in Adolescent Girls
 Poster presentation of original research examining the effects of algorithmic content curation on adolescent body image. Part of a DEI-focused session on bias and exclusion in digital platforms.

National Business and Economics Society (NBES) Annual Conference
 St. Thomas, USVI • March 8, 2025
 Beauty Uncoded: Ethical Entrepreneurship, AI-Driven Fast Fashion, and the Fight for Adolescent Well-Being
 Presented conceptual research on the intersection of AI-driven marketing and adolescent consumer identity formation. Engaged with scholars to shape future methodological direction.

Research Projects

All Bodies Belong
 In preparation for AOM 2025. Mixed-methods study exploring algorithmic bias and body image harm in adolescent girls. Focused on tech ethics, representation, and adolescent development.

Beauty Uncoded
 In preparation for NBES 2025. Research into ethical business practices and the role of AI in fast fashion marketing targeted at youth. Examines identity, consumerism, and adolescent digital well-being.

Media & Outreach

What To Know Before Letting Your Kids Use AI
 Expert Commentary – Today’s Parent, May 2025
 Guidance for parents navigating AI-powered platforms and digital tools designed for children.
 Link: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/kids-using-artificial-intelligence/

Raising Resilient Teens: Navigating AI-Enhanced Social Media and Body Image Pressures
 Author – Your Teen Magazine, April 2025
 Strategies for parents and teens to manage the emotional toll of AI-driven social platforms.
 Link: https://yourteenmag.com/social-life/teen-bullying-tips/raising-resilient-teens-navigating-ai-enhanced-social-media-and-body-image-pressures

Media Coverage

Social Media

LinkedIn

Outside Links

Website