Virginia governor Glenn Younkin publicly rolled out the red carpet last week to welcome the next Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “David Doré brings an extraordinary experience to Virginia, and I love his concepts about closer collaboration with employers and other educational institutions,” Youngkin told an enthusiastic crowd at the VCCS annual legislative reception in downtown Richmond.
The VCCS State Board announced Dr. Doré’s appointment as Chancellor earlier this month. He’s currently one of the top administrators at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona and will assume his new duties here April 1.
VCCS Interim Chancellor Sharon Morrissey (l.) with incoming Chancellor David Doré, Jan. 17, 2023.
“You have seen tremendous leadership from Dr. Sharon Morrissey, who has been a fabulous Interim Chancellor,” said Youngkin. “She moved things forward.”
Morrissey has served as Interim Chancellor since last July and has helmed the development of HIRE Virginia, a major initiative to ramp-up VCCS workforce and career training programs.
The governor has proposed budget amendments that would fund a portion of HIRE Virginia and Virginia lawmakers have proposed other budget amendments to pay for other parts of the program, all of which are before the current session of the General Assembly. The legislative session runs through February 25.
Governor Youngkin has made it clear that workforce development is one of his top priorities, and that he expects community colleges to play a major role in getting Virginians trained for in-demand jobs.
“This is one of these moments where we have found a common place, where we know that the role in our community colleges across the Commonwealth is essential,” said Youngkin at the VCCS legislative reception January 17. “There’s extraordinary work going on in our community college system, and we can take it even to another level. And I think that’s the future of our community college system. And it’s particularly a reason why I’m so excited about our new chancellor, Dr. David Doré.”
Dr. Doré met with many of the VCCS college presidents at the system’s legislative reception January 17. On the left, with Reynolds President Paula Pando. On right, with Tidewater CC President Marcia Conston.
Speaking to the VCCS State Board January 18, Doré said, “I am incredibly excited to be joining Virginia’s Community Colleges. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running, and we have a pretty ambitious first 90 days mapped out.”
“I want to thank Governor Younkin and Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera,” Doré told reporters during a media availability January 4. “And I believe we share a common goal of ensuring that the Virginia community college system becomes a best-in-class national leader.”
State Board Chair Douglas Garcia has appointed a transition team aimed at helping Dr. Doré gain a solid footing in the challenges and opportunities he’ll face as the system’s new day-do-day leader.
