Virginia's Community Colleges Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Virginia's Community Colleges has 5 executives leading key functions including organizational strategy, information technology, digital infrastructure, and academic leadership.

Committed to expanding educational access, Virginia's Community Colleges drives workforce development across the state by providing flexible academic pathways and specialized career training for diverse student populations.

Leadership Roles at Virginia's Community Colleges

  • Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness - Rachel Leonard
  • President - Kelly Pastva
  • President - Jerry Delcid
  • Chief Information Officer - Daniel Lepore
  • Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer - Kimberly Lawrence
  • Rachel Leonard - Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness

    Rachel Leonard, the Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness at Virginia's Community Colleges, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire network of higher education institutions. By fostering a culture of innovation, the Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness ensures that academic programs remain aligned with the evolving workforce training needs across Virginia. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional stakeholders to enhance the accessibility of associate degrees and specialized certifications. Rachel Leonard actively promotes initiatives that bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements, ensuring that students gain relevant skills for successful careers. Through the oversight of institutional growth and student success metrics, the Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness maintains the high standards of quality education expected from the system. By championing flexible learning options, the executive secures the long-term impact of the organization on the state's economic development and educational landscape.

    Kelly Pastva - President

    Kelly Pastva, the President at Virginia's Community Colleges, oversees the academic excellence and student success initiatives at a specific regional campus. Directing faculty development and curriculum design, the President ensures that educational programs meet the rigorous standards required for associate degrees and specialized certifications. This role involves building partnerships with local industries to tailor workforce training to the specific economic demands of the region. Kelly Pastva manages campus-level operations to provide a supportive environment for diverse student populations seeking career advancement. By fostering strong community connections, the President expands the reach of the institution and promotes accessible learning opportunities. This leadership position requires balancing administrative responsibilities with a focus on student outcomes and academic quality. Through the implementation of strategic initiatives, Kelly Pastva drives the growth of the campus and ensures that graduates possess the necessary skills to succeed in the modern workforce.

    Jerry Delcid - President

    Jerry Delcid, the President at Virginia's Community Colleges, leads the strategic planning and operational management for a key regional institution within the network. Focusing on the expansion of career development opportunities, the President coordinates with local employers to align academic pathways with current labor market trends. This role involves overseeing the allocation of resources to enhance student support services and improve retention rates across the campus. Jerry Delcid drives initiatives that promote flexible learning options, ensuring that the institution remains responsive to the needs of non-traditional students. By managing the daily administrative functions, the President maintains the integrity of the educational programs and the quality of instruction. This leadership role requires collaboration with other executives to ensure consistency in the delivery of workforce credentials across the state. Through a commitment to academic advancement, Jerry Delcid secures the long-term success of the campus and its contribution to the regional economy.

    Daniel Lepore - Chief Information Officer

    Daniel Lepore, the Chief Information Officer at Virginia's Community Colleges, architects the digital infrastructure supporting academic and administrative operations across the state. Overseeing the integration of advanced technology systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that students and faculty possess reliable access to essential learning platforms. This role involves managing large-scale data security protocols to protect sensitive information while facilitating seamless communication between multiple campus locations. Daniel Lepore drives the modernization of digital tools to support the diverse educational pathways offered by the institution. By optimizing network performance and cloud-based resources, the Chief Information Officer directly impacts the efficiency of workforce training programs. Through collaboration with other executive leaders, the Chief Information Officer aligns technological investments with the broader mission of providing accessible, high-quality education. This strategic focus on digital transformation enables the organization to maintain strong connections with local industries and support student advancement.

    Kimberly Lawrence - Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer

    Kimberly Lawrence, the Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer at Virginia's Community Colleges, manages the daily operational workflows within the information technology department. Coordinating technical support teams, the Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer ensures that campus-wide systems remain functional and responsive to student needs. This role involves implementing standardized protocols for software deployment and hardware maintenance across the entire network of higher education institutions. Kimberly Lawrence monitors project timelines to guarantee that digital initiatives support the broader workforce training goals of the organization. By streamlining internal processes, the Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer enhances the overall productivity of the IT division. This leadership position requires constant interaction with administrative departments to resolve technical challenges and improve service delivery. Through meticulous oversight of operational resources, the Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer facilitates the seamless execution of academic programs and career development opportunities throughout the state.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Virginia's Community Colleges Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Virginia's Community Colleges?
    Virginia's Community Colleges is led by Rachel Leonard (Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness), along with executives such as Kelly Pastva (President) and Jerry Delcid (President).
    Who is part of Virginia's Community Colleges’s executive team?
    The executive team of Virginia's Community Colleges includes leaders such as Rachel Leonard (Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness), Kelly Pastva (President), Jerry Delcid (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Virginia's Community Colleges have?
    Virginia's Community Colleges has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Virginia's Community Colleges’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Virginia's Community Colleges includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer of Awesomeness, President, President, Chief Information Officer, Director, Office of the Chief Information Officer.