Dr. Alfred RobertsDr. Alfred A. Roberts, of Emporia, has been named the new president of Southside Virginia Community College, taking over for retiring president Dr. John Cavan.

Roberts will begin around Aug. 1.

“I’ve known Al for a long time and I have observed his leadership at SVCC for many years,” Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges, said. “I’m confident he will do a terrific job in taking the college to the next level.”

Roberts is currently provost of SVCC’s Christanna Campus in Alberta, a position he has held since 2012. He served as provost of the John H. Daniel Campus of SVCC, in Keysville, from 2010-12. Prior to that, he was vice president of workforce services at SVCC. His career at SVCC began in 1995 when he assumed the role of administrator for student support services.

“The Southside Virginia Community College Board unanimously supports Dr. Roberts as our next president,” said Dr. Charlette T. Woolridge, acting chair of the College Board. “We are very pleased and excited to have a solid and experienced new president with proven leadership, expertise to advance educational and workforce development programs to prepare students for the 21st century economy, a commitment to working with the Southside Virginia community and leaders to strengthen our economy, and more. We look forward to his leadership in our region.”

“We set a high standard and spent many hours in our search, with input from stakeholders at the state and local levels,” said Dr. Nancy Carwile, College Board member and former chair. “In all areas, Dr. Roberts was first among well-qualified candidates. Our hearts were in this process and Dr. Roberts' heart is also in this work as SVCC moves forward.”

Roberts says the presidency is “a great opportunity for me to give back to the community that has done so much for me.”

“I have a real commitment to a high level of community engagement; to quality academic programs; and to workforce training and development,” he said. “It will be a challenge to follow in Dr. Cavan’s footsteps, but also a tremendous opportunity to advance the mission of the college and enhance its reputation as a world class, 21st century community college.”

Before joining SVCC, Roberts was program director for Sussex-Greensville-Emporia Adult Activity Services and also taught radio and television production classes at Norfolk State University.

He received his doctorate from Old Dominion University, his master’s from Virginia State University and his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

The longest serving president in the VCCS, Cavan has presided over SVCC since 1983.

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