RICHMOND – A college leader from Boone, North Carolina will become the second president to lead Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands, Virginia.
Dr. J. Mark Estepp will be the second president of Southwest Virginia Community College no later than September 1, 2007, announced Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. Dr. Estepp is currently dean of the college of fine and applied arts at Appalachian State University in Boone, a position he has held since 2003.
“Mark is a highly capable professional with an impressive track record who is in love with rural southwest Virginia,” said Dr. DuBois in announcing the appointment. “I’m confident he will do a great job.”
“After conducting a national search to replace our founding president, the board at Southwest is delighted with the appointment of Dr. Estepp,” said Frances Minton, who chairs the college board. “He brings to the table all the ingredients we were looking for in a new leader.”
Dr. Estepp was interim dean of Appalachian State University in 2002-03, and chaired the department of technology there from 1991-2002. He joined Appalachian State as an assistant professor in industrial education and technology in 1984.
He has a doctorate in practical arts and vocational technical education from the University of Missouri, a master’s in industrial arts education from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky; and a bachelor’s degree from Berea College in Kentucky.
“My wife, Trish, and I feel truly blessed to have this wonderful opportunity,” Dr. Estepp said. “I am from Matewan West Virginia, and Trish from Hazard, Kentucky. This is like coming home.”
Dr. Estepp succeeds Dr. Charles King, who retired in January after serving as president at Southwest Virginia Community College since the college’s inception in 1967. Dr. William Snyder, retired president of Wytheville Community College, is serving as interim president at the college until Dr. Estepp arrives.
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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 more than a quarter-million credit students each year. For more information, please visit myfuture.vccs.edu.