From Service to the Classroom: Professor Koehler Slagel's Leadership Continues to Shape the Next Generation

Every semester, students walk into Professor Koehler Slagel's classroom expecting to learn about leadership, entrepreneurship, and strategic management. What they quickly discover is something far more meaningful: a professor whose commitment to service extends well beyond course content. Whether challenging students to think like entrepreneurs, encouraging them to embrace leadership opportunities, or mentoring them through new ideas, Slagel brings authenticity, purpose, and real-world experience to every interaction.

That commitment recently earned national recognition when the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation, in partnership with USAA, named Slagel one of 10 recipients nationwide of its 2026 Everyday Hero Award. Presented during SHRM26, the Society for Human Resource Management's annual conference held June 16–19 in Orlando, Florida, the award recognizes military veterans who have successfully transitioned to civilian careers while making meaningful contributions within their organizations and communities.

For Slagel, however, the recognition is less about personal achievement than it is about continuing a lifelong commitment to serving others.

A former United States Marine who served from 2004 to 2012, Slagel has built a career defined by leadership, adaptability, and a passion for helping others succeed. Following his military service, he transitioned into entrepreneurship and business strategy before joining Virginia Tech as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Management. Today, he teaches courses in entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategic management while helping students develop the confidence, critical thinking, and practical skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex business environment.

His experiences outside the classroom continue to strengthen his teaching. As the founder of Not Average Inc. and Branded78, Slagel has advised startups, nonprofit organizations, and growing businesses as a fractional chief marketing officer, consultant, and keynote speaker. Those experiences allow him to connect classroom concepts with real-world business challenges, helping students understand not only what to learn, but why it matters.

His influence extends well beyond traditional classroom instruction. As academic coordinator for Virginia Tech's Innovate Living Learning Community, Slagel creates opportunities for students to explore entrepreneurship through experiential learning, mentorship, and collaboration. Whether organizing leadership experiences, connecting students with industry professionals, or encouraging them to pursue ambitious ideas, he is known for creating an environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.

"Professor Slagel was one of the best professors I've had during my time at Virginia Tech," one student wrote in a recent course evaluation. "He genuinely cared about student understanding rather than just getting through the material. His structure, expectations, and support created an environment where it felt possible to succeed in a course that many students find challenging. He made a difficult class engaging and rewarding, and I would highly recommend him to future students."

"Koehler Slagel exemplifies the spirit of SHRM's Everyday Hero Award through his leadership, service, and meaningful impact on students and faculty in the Pamplin College of Business," said Michelle M.H. Şeref, associate dean of undergraduate programs and collegiate professor of business information technology. "In his role as Academic Coordinator for the Innovate Living Learning Community, he inspires students to explore entrepreneurship by organizing impactful experiences both inside and outside the classroom. He models community and teamwork by actively engaging in every event, stepping in wherever needed, and consistently anticipating how he can best support others. His continued contributions strengthen our community and highlight the exceptional value veterans bring to the civilian workforce."

Slagel's impact is also reflected in the culture of Virginia Tech's Department of Management. The Department of Management is home to the largest concentration of military veterans within the Pamplin College of Business, the department values the diverse leadership experiences that faculty bring to the classroom. Those experiences enrich student learning while reinforcing the university's commitment to preparing principled leaders for today's organizations.

"Koehler is an amazing team player and works well with everyone. He takes his responsibilities seriously and works diligently. His performance in teaching and departmental service is exceptional," said Devi R. Gnyawali, department head and R.B. Pamplin Professor in the Department of Management.

Colleagues consistently describe Slagel as someone whose leadership is measured not by titles or accomplishments, but by the positive influence he has on those around him.

"As a Marine veteran, Koehler Slagel brings unmatched integrity, resilience, and leadership to everything he touches," said Wendy Glass, SHRM-SCP, adjunct professor in Virginia Tech's Department of Management. "Through my teaching at Virginia Tech, I've witnessed his profound dedication firsthand. He is the first to raise his hand to help a colleague and he never shies away from a challenge. He has also been a powerful mentor and force in my own HR consultancy journey, helping me develop a marketing strategy to build a sustainable practice. In all that he does, Koehler exemplifies how military service translates into lasting, positive impact in the civilian world."

The SHRM Foundation recognition brought national attention to that impact during SHRM26, where Slagel was honored alongside nine other recipients from across the country. Throughout the conference, the Everyday Hero honorees were featured in a prominent display viewed by thousands of human resource professionals and organizational leaders entering the exhibition hall each day.

Despite the national recognition, Slagel remains focused on the people who have shaped his own journey.

"I'm honored and grateful to be recognized as one of the Top 10 recipients of the 2026 Everyday Hero Award from the SHRM Foundation, in partnership with USAA," Slagel said. "I'm grateful to be recognized alongside such an incredible group of veterans."

He also expressed appreciation for the support and encouragement of his colleagues within Virginia Tech's Department of Management and the Pamplin College of Business, reflecting the collaborative environment that has become central to his work as an educator.

For students, Koehler Slagel's story is a reminder that leadership is not defined by where a career begins, but by how experience is used to serve others. For the Department of Management, his journey reflects the value of bringing diverse professional experiences into the classroom. And for Virginia Tech, it is another example of how the university's commitment to Ut Prosim—That I May Serve—comes to life through its faculty.

For Slagel, the transition from military service to higher education was never about leaving one mission behind. Instead, it was about finding a new way to serve. Today, that mission continues through every class he teaches, every student he mentors, and every opportunity he creates for others to succeed.

While the SHRM Foundation recognized Professor Koehler Slagel as one of the nation's 2026 Everyday Heroes, those who know him best see something even more enduring: an educator who measures success not by personal accomplishments, but by the lasting impact he has on students, colleagues, and the Virginia Tech community. His journey reminds us that leadership is not defined by a uniform or a title—it is defined by a lifelong commitment to helping others succeed. 

Written by Ron Poff, Assistant Department Head and Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Management, Virginia Tech.