The board of visitors of Richard Bland College in Petersburg, Virginia, has selected Kenneth Alexander to serve as interim president following the retirement of current president Debbie L. Sydow. Dr. Alexander will begin his new role on May 11.
Richard Bland College is a public two-year college associated with the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education, the community college enrolls nearly 2,800 students, 24 percent of whom are Black.
Since 2016, Dr. Alexander has served as mayor of the City of Norfolk, Virginia. Last year, he took on additional responsibilities as vice chancellor for strategic partnerships for the Virginia Community College System. He also serves as executive director of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. Before his mayoral appointment, Dr. Alexander served in the state senate from 2012 to 2016 and in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2012.
“I am honored to have been selected to serve as interim president of Richard Bland College,” Dr. Alexander said. “What attracted me is the college’s reputation for academic excellence, its compelling and unique educational mission, and opportunities to partner with regional employers to expand the talent pipeline.”
Dr. Alexander earned his associate’s degree in mortuary science from what is now Brightpoint Community College in Virginia, a bachelor’s degree in political science from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, a master’s degree in diplomacy from Norwich University in Vermont, and a Ph.D. in leadership and change from Antioch University.
