RICHMOND —Dr. John A. Downey, of Harrisonburg, will become the next president of Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC), according to Dr. Glenn DuBois, the chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Downey, who has worked as BRCC’s vice president for instruction and student services for the past four years, will become the college’s president effective August 3, 2009.

“Our college is truly privileged.  A lot of really talented people were interested in becoming the next president of Blue Ridge Community College,” said Kathy Whitten, the chair of the Blue Ridge Community College Local Board.  “I believe we selected the best of the best.  John has done outstanding work during his time at BRCC and we expect that to continue.”

“I’m delighted to appoint John as the next president of Blue Ridge Community College.  He’s already a highly regarded leader in our college system and he brings to the table the right qualities and skills to lead the college forward,” said Glenn DuBois, the chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges.

Dr. Downey’s previous experience includes serving as BRCC’s dean of health and human services from 2002-2005.  He was the college’s interim vice president for instruction and student services in 2000-2001 and was coordinator of counseling services there from 1995-2000.  He began his career at Blue Ridge as disability services coordinator and academic counselor in 1992.  Prior to joining the college, he was director of student activities at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Massachusetts.

He has a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Virginia; a master’s degree from Boston College and a bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College in Syracuse.

“I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to be the president of a community college that I love in a community that I love,” said Dr. John Downey.  “Over the years, I have worked with terrific people throughout the Valley on behalf of BRCC.  I’m excited to continue that.”

Dr. Downey will become the fifth president of Blue Ridge Community College, following Dr. Jim Perkins who is retiring after serving as the college’s president for 20 years.

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About Blue Ridge Community College:  Founded in 1967, Blue Ridge Community College, located in Weyers Cave, VA, has served the residents of the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for over 40 years. Its comprehensive program of instruction includes associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in occupational/technical and college/university transfer programs. The College also provides non-credit workforce training and special interest classes for individuals, business, and industry. For more information, please visit www.brcc.edu.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, Virginia’s Community Colleges are 23 individual schools located on 40 campuses across the Commonwealth. Nearly half a million students take classes at one of Virginia’s Community Colleges. Together the colleges enroll more than two-thirds of the total public undergraduate population in Virginia. For more information, please visit myfuture.vccs.edu.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jeffrey Kraus
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations
(804) 819-4949
jkraus@vccs.edu