Dr. L. Marshall Washington, vice president of the Lancaster Campus of Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania, has been selected to serve as the third president of New River Community and Technical College.
Washington’s appointment was announced following approval by the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education at a special meeting on Feb. 13. During their regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 7, the New River Board of Governors voted to recommend him for approval by the Council
“It is my pleasure to announce that the Board of Governors unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Washington,” stated Leslie Baker, chair of the Board of Governors. “The presidential search began last November. The college was fortunate to have a dedicated committee comprised of board members, faculty, student and staff representatives, and community members. Everyone brought a different perspective, but all came to focus on the singular goal of selecting a president who could lead New River as we begin our pivotal second decade as an institution. In Dr. Washington, we have found a person with great integrity, experience and vision.”
Washington will begin his new duties on March 25. He says that he is very excited about coming to New River and representing the college throughout its service area.
“I readily identify with the community and have a vision for how we can work together to advance higher education across the region,” he said.
Washington and his wife of almost 20 years, Tonja, have three children: a daughter Lauren, 15, and sons Ethan, 11, and Jordan, 10. The family will be joining him in Beckley at the conclusion of the school year.
Washington has family connections to the Beckley area. His mother grew up in the community of Sharon and he is looking forward to reconnecting with extended family throughout the area.
Washington previously served as vice president of student services at Kellogg Community College in Michigan. He earned a doctorate in educational studies with a specialization in educational leadership and higher education from University of Nebraska-Lincoln; a master’s degree in education from Winona State University in Minnesota; and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.
Washington replaces Dr. Ted D. Spring, who left New River last November to become president of Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C. Dr. Merle Dempsey is serving as interim president and will stay on until early April to assist in the transition period.
The new president said his first order of business will be to talk to people throughout the nine counties to find out as much as possible about how the college can best serve its stakeholders.
“I will be doing a lot of listening and learning,” he said.
New River Community and Technical College serves Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers and Webster Counties from locations in Beckley, Lewisburg, Ghent, Princeton and Summersville. Administrative offices are located in Beckley.
