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Side-by-side headshots of the three presidential candidates visiting 鶹Ƶ, presented against a teal backdrop.

ESCC Presidential Candidates to Visit

Candidate Forums Announced (Dates and Times Below)

RICHMOND (March 20, 2025) – The State Board for 鶹Ƶ Colleges has certified three finalists for the position of president at 鶹Ƶ (ESCC), to succeed Dr. Jim Shaeffer, who is retiring at the end of June after six years leading the college.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are Dr. Rushton Johnson, Jr. of Knoxville, Tennessee; Dr. Daryl Minus of South Hill, Virginia, and Dr. Ashli Hamilton Wilkins of Enterprise, Alabama.

They were among 59 applicants from across the nation who were considered for the ESCC post.
“鶹Ƶ plays a pivotal role in supporting the people and economy of its region, and I am confident that this group of finalists will yield a president who will lead the college successfully in its next era of service,” said Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of Virginia’s 鶹Ƶ Colleges.

The finalists seek to become the sixth permanent president at 鶹Ƶ. Arrangements have been made for each of the finalists to visit the college April 8th, 9th, and 10th to meet with faculty, staff, students and community members.

Candidate 鶹Ƶ Forums will be held at 2:30PM in the Great Hall at the ESCC Workforce Building on campus at 29300 Lankford Highway in Melfa on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 8, 9, and 10.

Tuesday, April 8th at 2:30PM – Dr. Daryl Minus

Wednesday, April 9th at 2:30PM – Dr. Rushton Johnson

Thursday, April 10th at 2:30PM – Dr. Ashli Wilkins

*These forums are open to the public and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Student forums will be announced via email and Canvas.

About the Finalists

鶹Ƶ presidential candidate Rushton Johnson. February 2025


Dr. Rushton Johnson, Jr. currently serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Pellissippi State 鶹Ƶ College, Knoxville, TN, a post he has held since June 2018. Prior to that, Dr. Johnson served as Vice President of Student Affairs at Atlanta Technical College. He gained faculty teaching experience at Pellissippi State, The University of Georgia College of Education, Stillman College, and Nicolls State University College of Education. Dr. Johnson also served as Executive Director of Student Life at Southern Oregon University, Dean of Students at Nicolls State University, Asst. Dean of Students at Millsaps College, Director of Residence Life at Southern College, and Director of Student Activities at Stillman College.

Dr. Johnson earned a B.A. at Birmingham-Southern College, Master’s Degrees from Harvard University and Jacksonville State, and a Doctor of Education Degree at the University of Alabama.

鶹Ƶ presidential candidate Daryl Minus. February 2025


Dr. Daryl L. Minus currently serves as Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Southside Virginia 鶹Ƶ College (SVCC), Alberta, VA, a post he has held since August 2020. Prior to that, he was Education Assistance Branch Manager/Education Services Officer (ESO), U.S. Marine Corps 鶹Ƶ Services in Jacksonville, NC, Vice President, Student Services and Enrollment Management, Cape Fear 鶹Ƶ College, Vice President and Executive Vice President for Learning and Student Success, Craven 鶹Ƶ College, Dean of Student Services, Tidewater 鶹Ƶ College, Dean of Counseling, Chabot College, and Dean, Learning Support Services, Bakersfield College. Dr. Minus also was an adjunct faculty member at Craven 鶹Ƶ College and University of Maryland.

Dr. Minus earned a B.A. at Hampton University, a Master’s Degree at New York University, and a Doctor of Education degree at University of Phoenix.

ESCC presidential candidate, Ashli Hamilton Wilkins. February 2025


Dr. Ashli Hamilton Wilkins currently serves as Vice President and Dean, Institutional Services and 鶹Ƶ Development at Wallace 鶹Ƶ College, Dothan, AL, a post she has held since July 2018. Dr. Wilkins has been affiliated with Wallace 鶹Ƶ College for almost 25 years, serving as Dean of Institutional Services and 鶹Ƶ Development, Director of Institutional Advancement, Director of Grants and External Funding, and Instructor of English. Dr. Wilkins also served as adjunct Instructor of English at Troy University and Chipola College.

Dr. Wilkins earned a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree at Troy University, and a Ph.D. from Auburn University.

鶹Ƶ (ESCC) is part of the Virginia 鶹Ƶ College System (VCCS) and serves the residents of Accomack and Northampton Counties as a two-year institution of higher education. Students at ESCC can enhance job and career prospects through a wide range of associate degrees and through robust workforce development programs that offer credentials in high-demand career fields, including skilled trades.

Originally a branch of the University of Virginia, the institution joined the Virginia 鶹Ƶ College System in 1971. The college was accredited and granted membership in the Southern Association of College Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 1973 and moved to its current location in Melfa, Virginia in 1974. For more information, please visit .

About Virginia’s 鶹Ƶ Colleges:
Since 1966, Virginia’s 鶹Ƶ Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills, so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. In academic year 2024, Virginia’s 鶹Ƶ Colleges served more than 232,000 students across 23 schools throughout Virginia. For more information, please visit . For more information on FastForward, please visit

Media Contact:
Bill LeCato– Marketing and Development Officer (757) 789-1797

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