Patricia Raun, co-lead of the COMPASS Center’s Empower Thrust, is a professor of theatre arts at Virginia Tech, where she also serves as the director of the Center for Communicating Science. Among Raun’s honors are a 2024 appointment as Alumni Distinguished Professor, a preeminent faculty position at Virginia Tech recognizing her exceptional teaching, research, and service. In 2023 Raun received the William E. Wine Award acknowledging her excellence in teaching. With a background in performance and voice Raun focuses on enhancing communication skills, particularly for scientists, medical professionals, and those in highly technical fields. Raun’s work integrates performance techniques to increase empathy, listening skills, presence, and clarity in professional communication—bridging the gap between the arts and sciences to foster more effective interaction with the public.