RICHMOND — The Virginia Community College System recently announced the appointment of Tommy Wright as its new Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations.
Wright is currently President of Southwest Virginia Community College (Southwest), one of the 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System, it noted. Appointed in 2018, he is the third president of Southwest since its founding in 1967.
“Dr. Wright’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have significantly advanced Southwest Virginia Community College,” said David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). “His appointment is a testament to his dedication to higher education and ability to drive positive change.”
According to VCCS, Wright has been a “proactive and innovative leader at Southwest, Wright,” spearheading the college’s revitalization in several areas, including agriculture, arts, and athletics. He established an Honors College to nurture high-achieving students promoting a culture of diversity, it added. Wright collaborated with the Southwest Virginia Community College Real Estate Foundation to establish designated student housing, making Southwest as the first community college in Virginia to offer this amenity.
Under Wright’s guidance and vision, VCCS notes the college relaunched and expanded its athletics program, introducing 17 NJCAA team sports and various club sports.
At the state level, in his current position as president, Wright has been instrumental in several committees, including chairing the IT committee of the Advisory Council of Presidents for the last three years and co-chairing an Academic Affairs committee aimed at restructuring developmental math courses for a more inclusive experience, it added.
“I am truly honored to be selected for this position,” said Wright. “I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to a broader audience where I can make a lasting impact and benefit our students, not only in Southwest Virginia but for the entire VCCS community.”
Prior to serving as President of Southwest, Wright served as the Vice President of Finance and Advancement at Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee, a position he held from 2010 until his presidency at Southwest. Wright also served from 1997 until 2010 at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where he rose through several administrative posts, culminating in Director of Administrative Support Services.
The first in his family to earn a college degree, Wright received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a Master of Education and Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision from Middle Tennessee State University. He received a Doctorate of Education in Administration and Supervision at Tennessee State University.
An interim president for the college and a specific start date for Wright will be released at a later date.
“As Chancellor, I am dedicated to facilitating a seamless transition for the Virginia Community College System and the entire southwest Virginia community,” Doré said. “We will take the time to carefully plan our next steps and will appoint an interim president in the coming months to ensure continuity and sustained progress for the college.”