In Virginia, Johnson has spearheaded statewide workforce development initiatives at 23 community colleges as the vice chancellor of Workforce Development Services

“Community colleges have to lead in the preparation of viable labor force, and Haywood Community College is positioned to be a very solid leader in workforce and economic development,” Johnson said in a phone interview.

The chancellor of the Virginia Communi-ty College system, Glenn DuBois, said Johnson did an “outstanding job in setting goals for workforce development and developing a dynamic statewide program.”

“As much as we will miss her leadership, this presidency is a wonderful opportunity, and I wish her all the best,” DuBois said in a press release issued by the Virginia Community College system.

Johnson is no stranger to Western North Carolina. She grew up in Mitchell County and went to Mars Hill College as an undergraduate and Appalachian State University for her master’s degree.

Johnson said coming back to WNC is “absolutely wonderful.”

“To be able to work at a college that is innovative and in the midst of such a solid community is a wonderful opportunity for me,” Johnson said. “It is such an integral part of the community, and I am very focused on community.”

Johnson has a long career with community colleges. Since 1986, she has worked at Forsyth Technical Community College, Wilkes Community College, and Mayland Community College, as well as Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, S.C.

Johnson will be a good fit for the Haywood Community College’s recent focus on entrepreneurship. Johnson served as the executive director of the Triad Entrepreneurial Initiative while at Forsyth Community College, where she also spearheaded the continuing education program. At Mayland Community College, she was the president of the Small Business Center.

Johnson also worked in Crossnore before her community college career as marketing and community relations director for Sloop Hospital and associate director of the hospital foundation.

The former HCC president, Dr. Nathan Hodges, left to become president of Bowling Green Technical College in Lexington, Ken.

“Dr. Johnson’s sincere passion to use her leadership skills as a college president and her obvious interest in our community and love of this area were what made her the outstanding person to become our new president,” said Neal Ensley, chairman of the HCC Board of Trustees

Johnson’s first day as president of Haywood Community College will be Jan. 16, 2006.