Danville Community College (DCC) will welcome three finalists for the position of President to campus April 29 through May 1, 2025. As part of the selection process, each candidate will participate in a series of open forums and meet-and-greet sessions with students, faculty, staff, the DCC Advisory Board, and community members.
The forums will offer the DCC community a unique opportunity to engage with each candidate, ask questions, and learn more about their vision for the future of the college. Feedback collected from these sessions will play a vital role in the decision-making process as the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) moves forward with selecting the next president of DCC.
Each candidate’s schedule will include a campus tour, meetings with various stakeholders, and a public forum. The community is encouraged to attend and participate in these open events.
The three finalists for the presidency are:
| FINALIST | BIO | OPEN FORUM (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) |
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Dr. Cornelius Johnson |
Dr. Cornelius Johnson has served as Interim President at Danville Community College since December 1, 2024, providing leadership after the departure of Dr. Jerry Wallace. Prior to that, Dr. Johnson served as VP of Academic Affairs and Student Services at DCC since 2021. Earlier, he was Dean of Student Success at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas, and Project Coordinator for Student Success/Assistant Dean, Interim Dean of Student Development and Academic Advisor at Lonestar College in Tomball, Texas. Dr. Johnson has also served in program management and student advising and was a lecturer at the University of Houston, Houston, Texas; University of Texas, Dallas, Texas; and Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana. Dr. Johnson earned an associate degree at Seattle Central Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Washington, a Master’s Degree at Indiana State University, and a Doctor of Education Degree at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He also completed the Future Presidents Institute at the American Association of Community Colleges. |
April 29, 2025 3:15 -4:15 p.m Oliver Hall Temple Building DCC Campus |
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Dr. Rushton Johnson, Jr |
Dr. Rushton Johnson, Jr. currently serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville, TN, a post he has held since June 2018. Prior to that, Dr. Johnson served as Vice President of Student Affairs at Atlanta Technical College. He gained faculty teaching experience at Pellissippi State, The University of Georgia College of Education, Stillman College, and Nicolls State University College of Education. Dr. Johnson also served as Executive Director of Student Life at Southern Oregon University, Dean of Students at Nicolls State University, Asst. Dean of Students at Millsaps College, Director of Residence Life at Southern College, and Director of Student Activities at Stillman College. Dr. Johnson earned a B.A. at Birmingham-Southern College, Master’s Degrees from Harvard University and Jacksonville State, and a Doctor of Education Degree at the University of Alabama.
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May 1, 2025 3:15 -4:15 p.m Oliver Hall Temple Building DCC Campus |
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Dr. Morgan Phillips |
Dr. Morgan Phillips has served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Excellence at Pima Community College District in Tucson, Arizona since 2020. Prior to that, he was Campus President at Pima Community College. He served as VP of Academics and Student Affairs and VP of Curriculum and Instruction/CAO and Chief Planning Officer at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, N.C. Dr. Phillips also served as Mathematics Professor, Academic Dean and Dept. Chair at Valencia College in Orlando, FL. Dr. Phillips earned associate degrees at Pima Community College, Blue Ridge Community College and Brevard Community College. He earned B.S. and Master’s Degrees at the University of Central Florida. He earned Ed.S. and Ed.D. Degrees at the University of Florida. |
April 30, 2025 3:15 -4:15 p.m Oliver Hall Temple Building DCC Campus |
