HACC vice president named new president of a West Virginia community college

HARRISBURG, Pa. –L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., the vice president of the Lancaster Campus at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, has been named president of New River Community and Technical College in Beckley, W.V., by the Board of Governors. 

The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education met today to approve the recommendation.

Washington was selected for the presidency after a nationwide search. Prior to his service at HACC, Washington held leadership positions at Kellogg Community College in Michigan as dean of student services and then vice president of student services.

Washington joined the HACC leadership team in July 2010 and has achieved significant goals during his almost-three-year tenure:
•        Developed and established campus planning strategies, resulting in a master plan for buildings and maintenance
•        Raised approximately $375,000 in scholarship funds
•        Closed the deal to acquire 73 acres of campus property
•        Led the successful completion of the campus accreditation process for two occupational programs, nursing and radiography
•        Led efforts to increase outreach with the county’s growing Latino community (worked with First Thursday Latino, La Academia – the Partnership Charter School and Spanish American Civic Association)
•        Led HACC’s strategic planning process, connecting Middle States accreditation standards with College strategic priorities.
•        Co-facilitated the alumni relations strategic planning process to better serve alumni

 “I have greatly appreciated my time at HACC -- the people, diversity of intellect, compassion for others and the collaboration with colleagues are all things that have inspired me. I will miss HACC and the communities we serve, especially the Lancaster area,” Washington said. “I am excited about leading the staff and serving students at New River Community and Technical College. I look forward to working with the Board of Governors to foster an environment of excitement, energy and collegiality while supporting students who desire to complete a community college credential.”

Washington’s presidency prompted mixed emotions from members of the HACC community:

“Dr. Washington's servant-leadership and commitment to HACC over the past three years has enabled the campus and College to gain a renewed reputation of enhanced service to students and businesses in the region,” said John J. "SKI" Sygielski, Ed.D., president of HACC. “Through his active engagement in the life of his campus and the communities it serves, he has solidified the College's reputation as a responsive and relevant institution of higher education in Central Pennsylvania and beyond. His varied successful professional experiences as an academic, entrepreneur and fundraiser have prepared him well to lead New River Community and Technical College through unchartered economic realities going forward. Even though he is going to be greatly missed by the communities that respect and value his insights and energy, he is going to quickly earn the respect of internal and external leaders within New River Community and Technical College's service region.”

Tim Sandoe, chairman of the HACC Board of Trustees, said, “We are excited for the opportunity Dr. Washington has with New River. HACC's loss is New River’s gain. Dr. Washington is a dynamic leader and provides the necessary strategic and influential experience to positively impact people and communities.”

“From the time Dr. Washington set foot on the campus as a candidate for the position of campus vice president, I recognized the great leader he would be, and he has proven me correct. He will be missed,” said Pam Watkins, professor of mathematics at HACC’s Lancaster Campus and president of the HACC Faculty Organization.

Shannon Harvey, vice president at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus, said, “The word ‘administrator’ comes from an old French word meaning ‘to serve or steward.’ Dr. Marshall Washington has been an exemplary steward of the human, financial and physical resources of the Lancaster Campus of HACC since his arrival in 2010. Marshall’s work ethic, sense of teamwork, spirit of collaboration, drive to excel, respect for his colleagues and unwavering commitment to put students and the learning process at the heart of everything he does  -- all of these qualities make him an excellent choice to be the next president of New River Community and Technical College.”

Charles Peguese, a HACC Board of Trustees member, stated, “Dr. Washington has been an incredible asset to this College and a model campus vice president who forged a program that moved the campus forward. In addition, he and his family are engaged members of the Lancaster community. His personal style of leadership will be missed. I wish him and his family the best at New River Community and Technical College.”

Washington holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ohio Wesleyan University (Delaware, Ohio), a master’s degree in elementary education from Winona State University (Winona, Minn.) and a Ph.D. in educational studies / specialization in educational leadership and higher education from the University of Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.). The husband of Tonja Washington and the father of three school-age children, Washington is a native of Columbus, Ohio.

His last day at HACC will be March 15. On March 25, he will assume the presidency of the four-campus community college, which enrolled 2,857 students in fall 2012 and serves nine counties. Washington will be New River Community and Technical College’s third president. The College was founded on July 1, 2003, and was independently accredited Feb. 8, 2005, by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.