“Dr. Porter Brannon is not only an impressive higher education leader, but her life and career is a testament to the power of education to open doors and create opportunities,” said DuBois. “I’m excited about what she brings to the table and the way she connects with people. I and the college community hold high hopes for what she can do to lead the college to meet the community’s needs through the pandemic, the subsequent economic recovery, and beyond.” Read DuBois’ full statement.
“Fordham prepared me to be an equity-minded problem solver, committed to innovation, community transformation, and intellectual and moral policies and practices,” Brannon stated. She also noted that her “top priorities in the new position include connecting with and strengthening relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the community, plus growing student enrollment, student success, and building community and business partnerships.” Brannon concluded, “I am humbled to serve as the next leader of Thomas Nelson Community College. I am impressed with their resilience and resourcefulness during a most unusual year for higher education. The student-centered spirit permeates through the College culture, and I am excited to continue building on their legacy of excellence.”
In addition to being named TNCC president, Brannon was also recently recognized as one of the 100 People to Meet in 2021 – Educators by Virginia Business. The publication notes that although Brannon is a first-time president, she’s had a long administrative career at both two-year and four-year schools, including the New York Institute of Technology and Mitchell Community College in North Carolina.
