Dr. Janet Gullickson, the first female president of Germanna Community College, will retire in July 2025 after eight years of leadership.
During her tenure, Gullickson oversaw significant enrollment growth, national recognition by the Aspen Institute, and the distinction of being the first college to host Amazon Web Services’ mobile classroom. She also spearheaded work-based learning initiatives, including paid internships, to enhance student career readiness.
Dr. David Doré, Virginia Community College System chancellor, praised Gullickson for fostering innovation, fiscal strength, and community partnerships at Germanna, positioning it for continued success.
Gullickson, a graduate of the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University, expressed pride in Germanna’s role in creating opportunities for students and driving regional economic growth. A nationwide search for her successor begins this fall.
One of Virginia’s largest community colleges, Germanna serves a diverse population across a region larger than Delaware, supported by over 800 employees and an annual budget exceeding $55 million.
Here’s the full press release:
Dr. Janet Gullickson, the first woman president of Germanna Community College, has announced that she will retire this summer after eight years as the college’s chief executive.
Under her leadership, Gullickson has guided Germanna through a period of remarkable enrollment growth. Additionally, the college has received multiple national recognitions, including twice being named among the top 150 colleges nationally by the Aspen Institute. The college’s recent selection as the first institution nationwide to receive Amazon Web Services’ mobile classroom exemplifies her success in fostering industry partnerships that benefit students and communities. More recently, Gullickson has been involved in developing work-based learning programs for students to gain hands-on experience through paid internships.
Dr. David Doré, chancellor for the Virginia Community College System, credits Gullickson with significantly transforming Germanna Community College. “Dr. Gullickson has positioned Germanna for continued success. Her successor will inherit an institution known for innovation, fiscal strength, and deep community partnerships,” he said.
“Serving as Germanna’s president and living in the Fredericksburg-Culpeper region have been the joys of my professional career,” said Gullickson. “Together with our exceptional faculty, staff, and community partners, we’ve built an institution that opens doors of opportunity for all students while serving as a catalyst for regional economic growth.”
Gullickson earned a Doctor of Leadership and Policy in Higher Education degree from the University of Minnesota, and Master of Science degree in Rural Sociology and Planning from South Dakota State University.
Gullickson will conclude her service as President in July 2025. A nationwide search for her successor will begin in the fall.
About Germanna Community College:
One of the largest institutions in the Virginia Community College System, Germanna Community College serves a diverse student population across a service region larger than the state of Delaware. With more than 800 full and part-time employees and an annual budget exceeding $55 million, the college provides comprehensive educational programs and workforce development services through multiple campuses and centers.
