A new interim president will take the helm of Germanna Community College next week as longtime president Dr. Janet Gullickson retires.
Gullickson was hired as the school’s first female president in July 2017. She was one of three finalists certified for the position by the State Board for Community Colleges from among more than 100 applicants. At the time, Gullickson was the president of Spokane Falls Community College where she had been since 2012. She had also served previously as chief academic officer for the second largest district of the Community Colleges of Spokane and had been president of Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO.
Gullickson announced her retirement in January. During the Germanna Gala held May 30, Gullickson was honored for having expanded the college, growing to 13,500 students annually, and increasing enrollment, retention and graduation rates. During her tenure, the Germanna Guarantee and College Everywhere programs were launched, partnerships were expanded and equity was advanced. More than $20 million in grants was received and the school was recognized by the Aspen Institute and Insight into Diversity. Recently, Germanna was designated one of the top opportunity colleges and universities by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Learning.
“In her eight years as president, Dr. Gullickson has dramatically enhanced Germanna’s reputation as a leader in higher education and an essential partner in the workforce community,” Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Chancellor Dr. David Doré said. “Janet, I wish you well. And I want to thank you for all your support and your extraordinary efforts to make sure Germanna continues to deliver on its promise to provide quality, affordable, and accessible educational opportunities to the residents of Fredericksburg and beyond. Yours has truly been a job well done.”
Gullickson said her work in education has been rewarding.
“The beauty of working in education is it reminds us daily that we have great value,” she said during the gala. “Regardless of our role—we’re all here for students. It isn’t often that you can get up in the morning and say that you’ve made a difference. But everyone at this event tonight can say that. Because of your donations, internship opportunities, support, you have made a difference.”
She previously stated that serving as Germanna’s president and living in the Fredericksburg-Culpeper region has been a joy of her career.
To honor Gullickson’s legacy, Germanna’s Educational Foundation awarded her Board Member Emeritus status and established The Dr. Janet Gullickson Student Empowerment Fund. The fund is a branch of the Germanna Cares program and will address food insecurity, transportation and technology barriers and ensure “every student has the opportunity to pursue their own path to success,” Germanna Educational Foundation Board Member Eileen Dohmann said.
The Germanna Gala raised more than $500,000 in support of Germanna students.
A nationwide search for Gullickson’s successor will begin soon. In the meantime, Dr. Van Wilson, Ed.D., will serve as the interim president of Germanna beginning July 1.
“Dr. Wilson’s proven leadership abilities and his unwavering commitment to student success make him uniquely qualified for this important role,” Doré said. “I have complete confidence that under his direction, Germanna Community College and its community of stakeholders will continue to thrive.”
Wilson has four decades of experience in higher education including nine years with the VCCS, most recently as interim president of Brightpoint Community College. He also served previously as associate vice chancellor for student experience and strategic initiatives and was the associate vice president of student learning and success for the North Carolina Community College System. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Appalachian State University, a master’s degree in public affairs from Western Carolina University and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Western Carolina University.
According to a news release from Germanna, Wilson has a reputation as an innovator, bridge-builder and ardent proponent of student support services.
“From day one, all of my work has been focused on the academic success of students, helping them navigate the postsecondary education space,” he said. “I’m looking forward to leveraging my experience to help the college and its community prepare for its next president.”
The search for a permanent president will begin soon. Previous searches have proven to be lengthy. The VCCS recently announced new presidents at Eastern Shore, Danville, Southwest Virginia and Virginia Western community colleges. All were hired following a months-long search process involving input from the local college board, faculty, staff and other stakeholders.
