MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Pollard
Asst. Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications
(804) 819-4949
spollard@vccs.edu
6.17.25
RICHMOND, VA – Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), announced today that he has appointed Dr. Kenneth C. Alexander as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships of VCCS. His service as Vice Chancellor begins July 10.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Alexander to our leadership team,” said Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of VCCS. “His visionary leadership and deep commitment to innovation and opportunity will help drive strategic initiatives that change lives and elevate Virginia’s workforce.”
Alexander
In this role, Dr. Alexander will lead efforts to advance public and private resource development, legislative engagement, and system-wide communications. He will also serve as Executive Director of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), further aligning its initiatives with the VCCS statewide strategic plan, Accelerate Opportunity.
Dr. Alexander will be responsible for securing the resources needed to expand the capacity of Virginia’s Community Colleges to deliver the mission to more Virginians who seek better lives. He will work closely with the Chancellor to generate support from state, philanthropic, and industry partners, and overseeing comprehensive marketing and branding strategies designed to enhance public awareness and stakeholder engagement.
With a distinguished career spanning education, government, and business, Dr. Alexander brings a unique and proven leadership perspective to VCCS. As Chancellor of a national network of career colleges, he provided strategic oversight to 20 campuses. Under his leadership, enrollment rose by 15.4%, and graduation rates climbed to 86%.
Notably, the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM)—one of the colleges under his direction—now certifies more than 25% of all aircraft technicians in the United States. Dr. Alexander also spearheaded workforce development partnerships across a broad range of public and private sectors, including K–12 and higher education, aviation and aerospace, automotive and transportation, defense and shipbuilding, healthcare and dental services, allied health and skilled trades, and innovation and technology.
Dr. Alexander’s deep roots in Virginia’s educational and political landscape further amplify his impact. He began his academic career teaching International Relations at Tidewater Community College, and, as a member of the Virginia General Assembly, where he served on the House Education Committee, Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, and Joint Commission on the Future of Competitiveness of Virginia Higher Education, he secured funding for major infrastructure projects, including the renovation of Hofheimer and Lewis Halls at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS).
As Mayor of Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Alexander led transformative initiatives that fueled economic growth and educational advancement. These included launching the Norfolk Open Data portal, establishing the Norfolk Innovation Corridor, and developing a downtown innovation hub in partnership with Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University. He also established the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, a business incubator that fosters entrepreneurship and strengthens industry-academia relationships. Dr. Alexander has served as mayor since 2016 and will not be seeking reelection.
“This is an exciting time for me as I continue my journey in public service,” said Dr. Kenneth C. Alexander, Mayor of Norfolk, Virginia. “I’ve been honored to serve as the mayor of Norfolk, and I am equally grateful to step into this new role. I am looking forward to joining the Virginia Community College System and working to further Chancellor Doré’s vision because I strongly believe that access to education empowers communities. Higher education is a pathway for economic growth and social mobility, and I am enthusiastic about using my experience to enhance partnerships that will benefit our students and industries across the commonwealth.”
Dr. Alexander holds an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) from Brightpoint Community College (formerly John Tyler), a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Old Dominion University, a Master’s in Diplomacy from Norwich University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. He is the author of several influential publications on leadership, education, and civic engagement.
With his strategic acumen, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to public service, Dr. Alexander is poised to make a lasting impact at VCCS—driving innovation, expanding opportunity, and advancing the system’s mission to serve Virginia’s educational and workforce development needs.
About Virginia’s Community Colleges:
Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills, so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. In the academic year 2024, Virginia’s Community Colleges served more than 232,000 students across 23 schools throughout Virginia. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu. For more information on FastForward, please visit fastforwardva.org.
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