Gateway Reporter

Experienced education executive with proven abilities in workforce training hired to lead Virginia’s Community Colleges

The State Board for Community Colleges has hired David Doré, EdD, to serve as the next chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Dr. Doré has deep experience as a community college executive, faculty member and administrator, leader of workforce development programs, and in managing multiple campuses. He currently serves as President of Campuses and Executive Vice Chancellor for Student Experience & Workforce Development at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Doré to lead Virginia’s Community Colleges at a time of transformation as our colleges prepare to take on an even larger role in preparing Virginians for successful careers and meeting the needs of Virginia’s businesses for workers with the right skills for the 21st century marketplace,” said Douglas M. Garcia, Chair of the State Board for Community Colleges.

Dr. Doré will be the tenth person to lead Virginia’s system of 23 community colleges, succeeding Dr. Sharon Morrissey, who has served as Interim Chancellor since July of 2022.

“Dr. Morrissey not only has provided a steady and experienced hand during this transition, she also has accelerated the momentum of progress to meet the evolving needs of widely diverse regions across the state,” said Garcia.

“We also want to thank Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, who engaged deeply in and contributed significantly to our chancellor search process,” added Garcia.

“The race for talent is on,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The Virginia Community College System must be the linchpin of the Commonwealth’s skills development system by bringing together employers, K-12, and higher education to prepare every Virginian for success in our changing economy. I look forward to working with Chancellor Doré to advance our mission of every high school graduate in Virginia being equipped with a credential in an in-demand industry and to ensure that the Virginia Community College System becomes a best-in-class national leader.”

Dr. Doré expects to begin his new duties in Richmond April 1, 2023. His selection concludes a highly competitive search that began last summer and was guided by a wide range of stakeholders including business and community leaders in addition to students, faculty, and staff.

“I am honored to be selected to serve this great system, and excited to begin work with the State Board for Community Colleges to implement the forward-thinking vision they have set in alignment with Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly to accelerate the development of a highly-skilled workforce to meet the growing needs of business and industry in Virginia,” said Doré.

“This is both a challenging and exciting time for higher education, and I am looking forward to working with the dedicated and innovative faculty, staff, and administrators of the 23 colleges to serve our learners and collaborate across the rich ecosystem of the Commonwealth to ensure economic mobility for all Virginians,” Doré added.

Dr. Doré is in his twenty-seventh year serving community college students in progressively responsible roles, working with students as an instructor, director, department chair, dean, president, and executive vice chancellor.

At Pima Community College, Dr. Doré led the planning and implementation of Centers of Excellence focused on the needs of Arizona’s workforce across the district in partnership with business, industry, and the community. In addition to his administrative experience, Dr. Doré has extensive experience as a faculty member having taught transfer courses, workforce training courses, honors courses, basic skills courses, contract training courses for businesses, and courses for community partners.

Like so many students served by Virginia’s Community Colleges, Dr. Doré was a first-generation college student. Dr. Doré earned his Doctor of Education degree at Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA; a Master of Business Administration degree at Georgetown University, Washington, DC; Master of Education at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA; Master of Theological Studies (Ethics) at Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA; Licentiate of Philosophy in Ethics at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA; and his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Gannon University, Erie, PA. He was a 2017-18 Presidential Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program.

Dr. Doré is married to his partner of 25 years, Chauncey Roach, who has served 30 years in federal employment including six years in the United States Air Force and 24 years with the Veterans Health Administration as a registered nurse.

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. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve approximately 210,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.

Original source can be found here