The State Board for Virginia’s Community Colleges has certified three finalists for the position of president at Germanna Community College, to succeed Dr. Van Wilson, who has served as Interim President at the College since July 1. Prior to that date, Dr. Janet Gullickson served as Germanna president for eight years until her retirement.
The Germanna presidential finalists, in alphabetical order, are Dr. David Ferreira of New Britain, Connecticut, Dr. Tashika Griffith of Tampa Bay, Florida, and Dr. Thomas Walker, Jr. of Durham, North Carolina.
They were among 80 applicants from across the nation who were considered for the Germanna leadership post.
About the Finalists
Dr. David Ferreira currently serves as Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs at Charter Oak State College in New Britain, Connecticut, a position he has held since June of 2021. Previously, he was Dean of Academic and Student Affairs at Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winsted, CT, AVP of Academic Affairs at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Conway, SC, Associate Dean and Dean of Academic Resources & Assessment at Broward College, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Director of Learning Initiatives at Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, CT, Assistant Director of Student Services at University of Connecticut, Stamford, and Assistant Director of Academic Advising at University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD. Dr. Ferreira also gained faculty experience at several colleges and universities, starting in 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, his master’s degree at American University, and his Ed.D. at Northcentral University.
Dr. Tashika Griffith currently serves as Chief Campus Officer, Clearwater Campus at St. Petersburg State College, St. Petersburg, Florida, a position she has held since February 2022.
She has been affiliated with St. Petersburg State since 2016 and also served as Interim Dean of the College of Education, Assistant Provost and Provost of the college’s Downtown/Midtown campus. Dr. Griffith previously served as associate Dean of Students at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Miami, FL, Director of the office of Multicultural Affairs at University of Scranton, PA, and in the Career and Multicultural Center at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. In addition to 16 years in adjunct teaching positions at a number of colleges and universities, Dr. Griffith also taught public high school and served in the university police department at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL. She earned a Professional Certificate at Harvard University, a B.A. at Florida Atlantic University, a Master’s degree at Virginia Tech, and her Ed.D. at Northeastern University, Boston, MA.
Dr. Thomas Walker, Jr. currently serves as Senior Advisor for University Workforce Policy at the University of North Carolina System, a post he has held since 2024. He also was Senior Advisor for Economic Development and Military Affairs at the UNC System. Previously, he served as College President at Wayne Community College, Goldsboro, NC, Campus President at Central Community College, Grand Island, Nebraska, and VP for Student Affairs at St. Louis Community College, Forest Park, Missouri. Dr. Walker also has served in administrative/leadership roles at Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, Missouri, Davidson County Community College, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Horry-Georgetown Technical College. He also was Executive Director of the Knowledge is Power Program High School in Kansas City, Missouri, a group home counselor in Chattanooga, TN, and a Tank Platoon Commander in the USMC. Dr. Walker earned certificates at the USMC and Harvard University, his B.A. at the University of North Carolina, his M.P.A. and his Ed.D. at the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.
Germanna Community College will welcome the three finalists for the position of President to its campuses this fall as the search for the College’s next leader enters its final phase.
Each candidate will take part in a series of open forums and meet-and-greet sessions with students, faculty, staff, the College Board, and community members, offering the greater Germanna community an opportunity to engage directly with the finalists, ask questions, and learn about their vision for the College’s future.
Feedback collected during these sessions will be shared with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and will play a vital role as the VCCS Chancellor and State Board select Germanna’s next president.
Dates, times, and campus locations for the upcoming forums will be announced soon.
About Germanna Community College
Established in 1970 as part of the Virginia Community College System, we are a comprehensive community college providing quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities for the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford and for online learners everywhere.
Media Contact:
William Berry
Director of Marketing and Recruitment
Germanna Community College
wberry@germanna.edu | (540) 834-1019