Janet Gullickson, the first woman to serve as president of Germanna Community College, has announced that she will retire this summer after eight years as the college’s chief executive.
A news release from the Virginia Community College System, stated that under her leadership, Gullickson has guided the college through a period of “remarkable enrollment growth”. Additionally, the college has received multiple national recognitions, including twice being named among the top 150 colleges nationally by the Aspen Institute.
The release also noted Germanna’s recent selection as the first institution nationwide to receive Amazon Web Services’ mobile classroom as an example of Gullickson’s leadership, plus achievements in developing work-based learning programs for students to gain hands-on experience through paid internships.
David Doré, chancellor for the Virginia Community College System, credits Gullickson with significantly transforming Germanna. “Dr. Gullickson has positioned Germanna for continued success. Her successor will inherit an institution known for innovation, fiscal strength, and deep community partnerships,” he said.
“Serving as Germanna’s president and living in the Fredericksburg-Culpeper region have been the joys of my professional career,” said Gullickson. “Together with our exceptional faculty, staff, and community partners, we’ve built an institution that opens doors of opportunity for all students while serving as a catalyst for regional economic growth.”
Gullickson earned a doctor of leadership and policy in higher education degree from the University of Minnesota, and a master of science degree in rural sociology and planning from South Dakota State University.
According to the release, Gullickson will conclude her service as president in July 2025. A nationwide search for her successor will begin in the fall.
