ODU Darden College of Education graduate Dr. Alfred A. Roberts has been named the next president of Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). Roberts, who received his doctorate from ODU in 2009, will assume his new post on or about August 1, 2014, replacing retiring president Dr. John Cavan.
"I've known Al for a long time and I have observed his leadership at SVCC for many years," Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia's Community Colleges, said in a recently released press release. "I'm confident he will do a terrific job in taking the college to the next level."
"The ODU Darden College of Education faculty and staff celebrate this honor with Dr. Roberts. We applaud his success and congratulate him on his new position," said Jane S. Bray, dean of the Darden College.
Roberts is currently provost of SVCC's Christanna Campus in Alberta, a position he has held since 2012. He served as provost of the John H. Daniel Campus of SVCC, in Keysville, from 2010-2012. Prior to that, he was vice president of workforce services at SVCC. His career at SVCC began in 1995 when he assumed the role of administrator for student support services.
"The Southside Virginia Community College Board unanimously supports Dr. Roberts as our next president," said Dr. Charlette T. Woolridge, acting chair of the College Board. "We are very pleased and excited to have a solid and experienced new president with proven leadership, expertise to advance educational and workforce development programs to prepare students for the 21st century economy, a commitment to working with the Southside Virginia community and leaders to strengthen our economy, and more. We look forward to his leadership in our region."
"We set a high standard and spent many hours in our search, with input from stakeholders at the state and local levels," said Dr. Nancy Carwile, College Board member and former chair. "In all areas, Dr. Roberts was first among well-qualified candidates. Our hearts were in this process and Dr. Roberts' heart is also in this work as SVCC moves forward."
Roberts says the presidency is "a great opportunity for me to give back to the community that has done so much for me."
"I have a real commitment to a high level of community engagement; to quality academic programs; and to workforce training and development," he said. "It will be a challenge to follow in Dr. Cavan's footsteps, but also a tremendous opportunity to advance the mission of the college and enhance its reputation as a world class, 21st century community college."
Before joining SVCC, Roberts was program director for Sussex-Greensville-Emporia Adult Activity Services and also taught radio and television production classes at Norfolk State University.