MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Pollard
Asst. Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications
spollard@vccs.edu
Dr. Tashika Griffith selected for president at Germanna Community College
RICHMOND, VA — Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), announced today that he has appointed Dr. Tashika Griffith of Tampa Bay, Florida to become the seventh permanent president of Germanna Community College. Dr. Griffith’s selection concludes a search that attracted 80 candidates nationwide. Her service as president at Germanna will begin January 1.
Dr. Tashika Griffith
“I’m excited to welcome Dr. Griffith to lead Germanna Community College, and I know that she will provide the kind of dynamic leadership that will continue to make Germanna a cultural center and economic driver in its region,” said Chancellor Doré. “I also want to express my appreciation to Dr. Van Wilson, who has provided leadership at Germanna as Interim President since July 1.”
Prior to that date, Dr. Janet Gullickson served as Germanna president for eight years until her retirement.
“Our months-long search attracted exceptional candidates and I am grateful to all of the talented educational leaders who applied for the presidency at Germanna,” Dr. Doré added.
Dr. Griffith currently serves as Provost and Chief Campus Officer, Clearwater Campus at St. Petersburg State College, St. Petersburg, Florida, a position she has held since February 2022.
She has been affiliated with St. Petersburg College since 2016 and also served as Interim Dean of the College of Education, Assistant Provost and Provost of the college’s Downtown and Midtown Centers. Dr. Griffith previously served as Associate Dean of Students at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Miami, FL, Director of the office of Multicultural Affairs at University of Scranton, PA, and in the Career and Multicultural Center at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. In addition to 16 years in adjunct teaching positions at a number of colleges and universities, Dr. Griffith also taught public high school and served in the university police department at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership.
Dr. Griffith earned a Professional Certificate at Harvard University, a B.A. at Florida Atlantic University, a Master’s degree at Virginia Tech, and her Ed.D. at Northeastern University, Boston, MA.
“I have great admiration for Dr. Griffith’s commitment and extensive experience in higher education,” said Ann Marie Anderson, Chair of the Germanna Community College local advisory board. “She is an experienced educational leader, and the local advisory board and I look forward to working with her.”
“It is with deep humility and great enthusiasm that I assume the role of President of Germanna Community College,” said Dr. Griffith. “I extend my sincere gratitude to Chancellor Doré, the college’s Advisory Board, the search committee, and the many faculty, staff, students, and alumni who participated in this process. I also wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to Interim President Dr. Van Wilson for his steady leadership and dedicated service during this transition.”
“I have been deeply impressed by Germanna’s strong sense of community and its steadfast commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. I look forward to building upon this remarkable foundation as we continue advancing the College’s mission and impact across the region,” Dr. Griffith added.
About Germanna Community College:
Established in 1970 as part of the Virginia Community College System, Germanna Community College is a comprehensive community college providing quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities for the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, and for online learners everywhere.
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 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
