The board of directors of Roxbury Community College in Massachusetts voted unanimously to select Valerie R. Roberson as the college’s 15th president. Roxbury Community College enrolls about 2,700 students in degree programs and Black students make up a large percentage of the student body. Dr. Roberson will take office on July 22.
Dr. Roberson has been serving as vice president for academic affairs at Joliet Junior College in Illinois. She is the former president of Olive-Harvey College of the City Colleges of Chicago. Dr. Roberson is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She holds a master’s degree from Roosevelt University and a doctorate in higher education administration from Illinois State University.
“I couldn’t be more humbled and proud to have been given this great responsibility,” said Dr. Roberson. “We have a once in a generation opportunity to create a community college that will be recognized as a national leader. I look forward to beginning by listening and learning from the students, staff, and community about their dreams and hopes for Roxbury Community College.”