Virginia Peninsula Community College officials are pleased to announce recent additions to leadership teams within administrative and academic divisions. Here's a look at the new personnel and their positions.
Nicole Currier – dean, Arts, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences division: With nearly a decade of experience as a community college dean, she joined VPCC on July 25 from Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md., where she was the dean of Humanities, English, and Social Sciences. Currier, while at PGCC, was one of 12 faculty and administrators from community colleges across the United States selected by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers to participate in a faculty development seminar in the Kingdom of Jordan. The experience made her a passionate advocate of globalizing the curriculum and encouraging participation in virtual study abroad experiences.
She has an undergraduate degree in history, a master’s degree in American studies and completed coursework toward a doctorate in American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Dr. Joseph Fairchild – associate vice president, Academic Affairs: He began on July 3, bringing more than 20 years of experience in higher education to VPCC. He was previously with Tidewater Community College for more than 10 years. There he served as Social Sciences and Public Services division dean, Public and Professional Services Pathway dean, and lastly, interim special assistant to the vice president for Academic Affairs.
Fairchild’s higher education career includes adjunct and full-time faculty positions at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn. and Manchester Community College in Manchester, Conn., respectively. His background also includes service as a municipal police officer in Connecticut. After finishing law school and working several years, he opened a law firm. He served 12 years as a Judge of Probate for the State of Connecticut while in private practice. He retired in 2011 and was appointed State of Connecticut Probate Court Magistrate and served in the role until relocating to Virginia in 2012.
He has an associate degree in criminal justice from Naugatuck Valley Community College, a bachelor’s degree in justice and law administration from Western Connecticut State University and a Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law, formerly the University of Bridgeport School of Law.
Angela Robinson – executive assistant to the vice president for Academic Affairs: She began on July 10, bringing more than 10 years of experience as an administrative professional to the College. Her previous employment includes Skanska Civil SE USA federal highway. In the role, she supported a vice president and two project directors who required a clearance commensurate with top secret security, and a chief human resources officer and the school division superintendent both with Portsmouth Public Schools.
Before becoming an administrative professional, Robinson progressed in various roles as a human resources specialist. Her expertise is in creating highly organized and efficient offices while always maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and a thorough understanding of all applicable laws and protocol for a successful atmosphere.
She recently met her long-term goal of earning a master’s degree in business administration.
Changes within the ranks
Corey Buttram – associate director of Admissions: Buttram assumed the new role in July, having been with the College since 2010. She comes to the position after nearly two years as a coordinator with VPCC’s Library and Tutoring and 11 years prior as a faculty-ranked information literacy librarian. With 25 years of customer service experience, she is the point of contact at VPCC for all things related to new student outreach, recruitment and admission.
Her professional background includes positions with the Newport News Public Library System, William & Mary, and the National Center for State Courts in Williamsburg, to note a few. With undergraduate studies at Roanoke University in Salem, she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree n library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Jeannetta Hollins – interim dean for Community Partnerships: Hollins, who has been with VPCC since 2019, began the new position on Aug. 1. She will continue efforts to strengthen the College’s Southeast Higher Education Center in Newport News and cement VPCC’s footprint in the surrounding community. Working in concert with Presidential Fellow Marian Clifton, Hollins will focus on implementing programs and services funded by the Blocker Foundation and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
Hollins was previously interim vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success at the College. Assuming the role in early 2022, she helped restructure the unit realigning its process and procedures. She provided leadership in College enrollment efforts, athletics expansion, and implementating a minority male mentoring program, among other key initiatives.
She joined the VPCC from Richmond’s Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was an assistant dean of Students for nearly three years. She has a bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in counselor education/school counseling and guidance services from the University of Pittsburgh and doctoral degree in community college leadership from Old Dominion University in Norfolk.