FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Community College System has appointed Dr. Van Wilson as the interim president of Germanna Community College, effective July 1, 2025. He most recently served as interim president of Brightpoint Community College in Chester, formerly John Tyler Community College.
Dr. Wilson will succeed Dr. Janet Gullickson, who announced her retirement last year and is stepping down after eight years as Germanna’s president.
Here’s the full press release:
Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), announced today that he has appointed Dr. Van Wilson, Ed.D., as the Interim President of Germanna Community College (GCC) effective July 1, 2025.
“Dr. Wilson’s proven leadership abilities and his unwavering commitment to student success make him uniquely qualified for this important role,” said Doré. “I have complete confidence that under his direction, Germanna Community College and its community of stakeholders will continue to thrive.”
Wilson has 40 years of experience in higher education, including nine years with the VCCS, most recently as Interim President of Brightpoint Community College. He previously served as associate vice chancellor for Student Experience and Strategic Initiatives. Prior to joining Virginia’s Community Colleges in 2013, Wilson served as associate vice president of Student Learning and Success for the North Carolina Community College System, a position he held for five years.
Dr. Wilson holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Appalachian State University, a master’s in public affairs from Western Carolina University, and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Western Carolina University.
Known as an innovator, bridge-builder, and ardent proponent of student support services, Wilson said he is both humbled by and excited about the opportunity to serve Germanna and its community. “From day one, all of my work has been focused on the academic success of students, helping them navigate the postsecondary education space,” he said. “I’m looking forward to leveraging my experience to help the college and its community prepare for its next president.”
Wilson, who retired from the VCCS in 2023, will take the reins of leadership from Dr. Janet Gullickson, the current president of Germanna, who announced last year that she would be retiring in July after eight years as the college’s chief executive.
The search for a permanent president of Germanna Community College will begin soon. It is a lengthy process and will be conducted similar to previous presidential searches at other colleges within the system. This national search will involve input from the local college board, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders, which will help to identify and prioritize the qualifications needed for the next president.
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.Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust.
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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Germanna Community College is inviting students, employees, alumni, and the broader community to weigh in as it begins the search for its next president.
The college launched a community survey this week, asking participants to rank the importance of various leadership priorities, from fostering student success and expanding career-focused programs to strengthening partnerships with business and education leaders. Germanna officials say public input will help define the values, qualities, and goals the next president should embody.
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Welcome to the Potomac Local News Podcast. In this episode, host Uriah Kiser sits down with Dr. Janet Gullickson, President of Germanna Community College, as she reflects on her impactful tenure and upcoming retirement.
Dr. Gullickson has been instrumental in transforming Germanna into a leading institution, expanding opportunities for students, and driving innovative initiatives. We discuss her journey, the challenges she faced, and what’s next for the college and her own future.
Topics Covered:
- The evolution of Germanna Community College under her leadership
- The importance of community colleges in shaping local economies
- Her reflections on education, leadership, and the future of learning
- What’s next for Dr. Gullickson after retirement
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Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school's website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
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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.
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Germanna Community College has announced the closure of all its locations on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to anticipated inclement weather. The announcement on the school’s website states: “Due to anticipated inclement weather, all Germanna locations will be closed on Monday, January 6.”
Serving more than 12,000 students annually, Germanna operates multiple campuses and centers across Virginia, including locations in Fredericksburg, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Stafford, and Caroline. The college provides a wide range of academic programs, including associate degrees, certifications, and workforce training, to meet the needs of its diverse student body.
The closure affects all in-person classes, services, and activities scheduled at Germanna’s facilities. Students are encouraged to check their emails and Germanna’s official communication channels for updates regarding campus operations and any potential impact on class schedules.
Further announcements will be made as weather conditions are monitored.
Germanna Community College (GCC) has expanded its presence in Stafford County with the opening of two new state-of-the-art locations designed to serve local students and support workforce development, including specialized resources for military personnel stationed at Quantico. The facilities, located on Center Street in Stafford, mark a significant milestone in the college’s mission to offer accessible education and workforce training across the region.
Dr. Cheri Maea, Dean of Academic and Workforce Operations and site supervisor for the new Stafford location, expressed enthusiasm for the expansion and its potential impact on Stafford County’s educational landscape. "These new facilities will allow us to double our nursing program and provide our students with modern resources and programs right in their community," Maier said. "Our goal is to make it easier for students to get the education they need to excel in high-demand fields without having to travel far."
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The Central Rappahannock Regional Library will hold the eighth annual Rappahannock Writers’ Conference on November 9, featuring keynote speeches from Laura Di Franco and John Gilstrap. The conference is open to adults and teens at all writing levels, with classes covering various writing topics.
Press Release:
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Press Release:
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation (CMCF) has granted $75,000 to UVA Health to support its mission to build a strong foundation of healthcare workers in the Culpeper Region. The grant is for a Regional Collaborative Program Coordinator, who will be the central point of contact for the new initiative that will enhance and strengthen connections among key Culpeper stakeholders in education and healthcare.
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Germanna Community College is set to open a new campus on Center Street in North Stafford to serve as the hub of college operations in Stafford County.
Dr. Janet Gullickson, President of Germanna Community College, shared insights about the new facility, highlighting its significance and what it will offer to the community.
