RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College named Dr. Paula P. Pando as its next president on Thursday.
The announcement, made by Dr. Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges, will make Pando the college’s fourth president.
Pando, who has worked in higher education for over two decades, was selected from a nationwide search of 102 applicants.
“Paula Pando’s life is a uniquely American success story,” DuBois said.
Pando joined Hudson County Community College, in Jersey City, NJ, as the associate dean for student services in 2003, and rose up the ranks into her current role as senior vice president for student and educational services.
“She was very young when her family came to the U.S. from Chile,” DuBois continued, “she had to learn a new language and a new culture, and she has excelled ever since.”
Pando will succeed Dr. Gary Rhodes, who plans to retire on September 1 after 16 years as J. Sarge’s president.
Pando shared her zeal after the announcement was made.
“I am thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to lead Reynolds Community College as it approaches its half-century mark of providing the Richmond area outstanding educational opportunities, and to join the forward-thinking community college system that is the VCCS.”
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