Dr. Van Wilson has been appointed as the Interim President of Germanna Community College (GCC) effective July 1.
“Dr. Wilson’s proven leadership abilities and his unwavering commitment to student success make him uniquely qualified for this important role,” said Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). “I have complete confidence that under his direction, Germanna Community College and its community of stakeholders will continue to thrive.”
In a press release announcing Wilson’s appointment, VCCS noted that Wilson has 40 years of experience in higher education, including nine years with the VCCS, most recently as Interim President of Brightpoint Community College. He previously served as associate vice chancellor for Student Experience and Strategic Initiatives.
Prior to joining Virginia’s Community Colleges in 2013, Wilson served as associate vice president of Student Learning and Success for the North Carolina Community College System, a position he held for five years.
Dr. Wilson holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Appalachian State University, a master’s in public affairs from Western Carolina University, and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Western Carolina University.
Known as an innovator, bridge-builder, and ardent proponent of student support services, Wilson said he is both humbled by and excited about the opportunity to serve Germanna and its community.
“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.”
Wilson, who retired from the VCCS in 2023, will take the reins of leadership from Dr. Janet Gullickson, the current president of Germanna, who announced last year that she would be retiring in July after eight years as the college’s chief executive.
The search for a permanent president of Germanna Community College will begin soon. It is a lengthy process and will be conducted similarly to previous presidential searches at other colleges within the system. This national search will involve input from the local college board, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders, which will help to identify and prioritize the qualifications needed for the next president.
