NC West Virginia News

An experienced leader in higher education, Jerry Wallace, has been appointed as the next president of West Virginia University Potomac State College. Wallace, who currently serves as the president of Danville Community College in Virginia, will assume his new role on December 1.

"I am excited to welcome Jerry Wallace to West Virginia University," said WVU President Gordon Gee. "He brings with him a unique blend of experience and leadership that will position WVU Potomac State College to grow and better serve students and communities across the Mountain State."

Wallace's tenure at Danville Community College began in 2022. Under his leadership, the college saw six consecutive semesters of enrollment growth, increased community engagement activities, and launched several workforce training programs. Before this role, he was the president of Nebraska Central Community College Hastings Campus where he developed employee-community volunteer programs and an apprenticeship program.

Paul Kreider, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at WVU, expressed enthusiasm about Wallace's appointment: "We feel very fortunate to have Dr. Jerry Wallace joining WVU to lead Potomac State College. He is a proven, recognized leader among community college administrators and a passionate community supporter as well."

Wallace has also served as dean of Workforce, Technical and Community Education at New River Community and Technical College in Beckley from 2017-19. Earlier in his career, he was a resident director at WVU Institute of Technology.

“It’s an honor to join WVU Potomac State College and engage with faculty, staff and students,” Wallace stated. “I’m excited to be selected to lead PSC and have the opportunity to bring my family back to West Virginia.”

In recognition of his contributions, Wallace was named one of the Top 100 People to Meet by Virginia Business Magazine in 2023 and received the Young Professionals PACE award from the Danville-Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce. Recently, he received the 2024 Rising Star Award from the Rural Community College Alliance.

Wallace holds advanced degrees including a doctoral degree in leadership and management, a master’s degree in educational leadership, a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, along with an MBA focusing on human resource management with a minor in marketing.

Kreider will conclude his term as interim campus president at PSC on December 1 but will continue serving WVU full-time as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.