Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander will lead the newly independent Richard Bland College until at least mid-2027.
The two-year college just outside Petersburg announced Wednesday Alexander will serve as interim president after the retirement of president Debbie Syndow. Syndow has led Richard Bland since 2012 and announced last fall she would retire at the end of this academic year.
Alexander, who made his career running a group of funeral homes, has moved into higher education administration in the last few years. He’s currently a vice chancellor with Virginia’s community college system and oversees a network of technical colleges with campuses in several states.
He says both jobs had him travelling much farther than the 80-or-so miles to Petersburg.
“And I have not missed a council meeting or neglected to perform any of the duties incumbent upon me. I don’t see that changing,” Alexander told WHRO.
Richard Bland was established in 1960 as a branch of William & Mary, as many of the state’s colleges and universities once were. It gained full independence just last year.
Alexander will be responsible for implementing a strategic plan to expand programs the college’s Board of Visitors adopted this month.
The interim job is set to last until the fall of 2027.
When asked if he hoped to stay on in a more permanent role leading Richard Bland, Alexander said he’d “cross that bridge when we come to it.”
