Dr. Scott Ralls to become next president at Northern Virginia Community College
This news release was originally published by the Virginia Community College System.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jeffrey Kraus
Asst. Vice Chancellor Public Relations
(804) 592-6767
jkraus@vccs.edu
RICHMOND – The next president of Northern Virginia Community College is Dr. Scott Ralls, currently president of the North Carolina Community College System, VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois announced today. Ralls will assume his new post in early September, replacing Dr. Robert G. Templin, who retired in February.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Ralls taking the helm at Northern Virginia, one of the nation’s largest community colleges,” said DuBois in making the announcement. “We expect that he will continue, and enhance, the institution’s traditions of vision, leadership and impact.
“I’ve known Scott Ralls for a long time. His passion, knowledge and leadership are among the reasons the North Carolina Community College System is so highly regarded,” DuBois said.
Ralls has served as CEO of the 58-community-college system in North Carolina since May 2008. Before that, he was president of Craven Community College in New Bern and Havelock, NC from 2002-2008, and he was vice president for economic and workforce development for the North Carolina Community College System from 1999-2000.
“The Northern Virginia Community College Board is delighted that Dr. Ralls has accepted the presidency,” said college board chair Mike Wooten. “Our community expressed tremendous confidence in his readiness to manage the size, complexity, and diversity of NOVA. He brings a rare blend of tested experience, concern for student success, workforce acumen, and vigor to the presidency of America’s community college. Having worked with diverse student bodies, traveled here and abroad, and studied Japanese, he will relate well to an international learning community that speaks over 100 languages.”
“I am extremely excited and feel greatly privileged to be joining the team at Northern Virginia Community College,” said Ralls. “NOVA is a national leader in its commitment to student success and plays an integral role in the workforce development it provides to support the region’s vibrant economy. I look forward to working with the NOVA team and community to help build on that great foundation.”
Before becoming vice president for economic and workforce development in North Carolina, Ralls served in other workforce positions for the North Carolina Community College System, as well as for the North Carolina Department of Commerce and for the U.S. Department of Labor. He holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Maryland-College Park and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina.
About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, the VCCS is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve an estimated 400,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.
About Northern Virginia Community College: NOVA is the largest educational institution in Virginia and the second-largest community college in the United States, with more than 75,000 students. The college is also one of the most internationally diverse in the nation, with students from more than 180 countries. The college includes six campuses near Washington, DC — Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, MEC (Springfield) and Woodbridge.
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