ROANOKE (WSLS 10) – The Roanoke Higher Education Center's board of trustees has named Kay Dunkley, Ed.D., as the center's new executive director.
She is the current director of the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center, and will succeed Tom McKeon on January 1.
"The board is delighted to welcome such a well-qualified person to build on the successes of Tom McKeon," said State Sen. John S. Edwards, chair of the Roanoke Higher Education Authority Board of Trustees. "Kay offers a strong record of leadership in higher education and a passion for helping people achieve success through education."
McKeon, announced his retirement in June and has led the Center since 1999. He helped to create a hub for adult learning that supports 310 jobs with an annual economic impact of $32 million for the region. Almost 10,000 people have completed degree, certificate and workforce training programs at the Center since it opened in 2000.
"Tom has done an outstanding job and I am excited to build on the foundation that he has established," Dunkley said. "I look forward to working with the board and the educational partners at the Center to continue the successes of this community jewel."
She has more than 25 years of leadership in higher education and has overseen Virginia Tech's graduate and continuing education programs in Roanoke since 2011.
She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Radford University and a doctorate of education degree from Virginia Tech.