The Hokie alumnus says he embodies the university’s motto: Ut Prosim (that I may serve), every day.

Earlier this year, Gooden was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Under Secretary of Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“It’s exciting and thrilling, but I have an obligation to make sure I bring a certain level of seriousness and passion to this role,” he said.

Gooden has a long history of public service. He served as secretary of agriculture in the administration of former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, and then was named director of state operations for rural development.

Gooden grew up on a farm in Buckingham County, Virginia, where his passion for rural development was born. His family raises Black Angus cattle. His upbringing, Gooden says, allows him to understand and connect with the issues facing rural areas.

Gooden spoke about his new role and his passion for public service.

What will you do in your new role as Undersecretary?

I have the honor of leading an agency of about 5,000 people that is focused on creating opportunity for rural America. We have a portfolio of about $60 billion, of which we allocate about $30 billion in funding annually. Whether it’s funding for safe, affordable, clean housing, clean water, (or) community facilities like hospitals, schools, libraries, public safety buildings — we do a lot to make rural areas very attractive places to live, grow up, raise a family, and work. I like to say that I’m focused on rural livability, which means making sure that rural areas are places that people want to come back to and stay in for their entire careers and family lives.

What do you hope to achieve in your role?

I want to continue to impact and change the lives, families, and communities of rural America. I want to make sure that rural America is not left behind and that they are at the forefront of everything that is available to other areas in the United States. I want (people in rural communities) to have every opportunity to be successful in their lives, careers, families, and communities.

Why did you choose to work in rural development?

When my father took me to Virginia Tech to drop me off at age 17, he said three things: Get good grades, stay out of trouble, and, “Don’t come back to the country when you finish your education because there are no opportunities or jobs here.”

He told us to go to the courts. That surprised me as a freshman and sparked something in me to change that narrative. I don’t want other parents telling their kids not to come back to their hometown.

That’s what we’re passionate about: changing the narrative and creating opportunities.