| KAYLAN BRICKEY | BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
ABINGDON, Va. – With a fresh perspective, David Matlock is hoping to transform the Southwest Virginia region’s higher education in his new role as executive director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
Matlock took on the role Nov. 2 and replaces Rachel Fowlkes, who was the first executive director of the center and retired in June.
“David Matlock has exceptional professional relationships with businesses and industries, colleges and universities and legislators,” Fowlkes said. “I am pleased that the search committee and board of trustees selected someone who can hit the ground running to expand degree opportunities for adult students.”
Matlock said he’s “very excited and honored at being named the executive director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. I firmly believe in the ability of education to transform lives.”
He is no stranger to higher education. He spent 24 years at Virginia Highlands Community College, where he served as vice president of institutional advancement since 2007 and as director of admissions, records and financial aid before that.
He has a bachelor’s degree in management from Southern Illinois University, a master’s degree in counseling from East Tennessee State University and he is currently pursuing a doctorate degree.
Matlock was also an honor graduate of the Marine Corps’ Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as well as the U.S. Naval Air Traffic Control Academy at Milligan, Tennessee.
He and his wife, Mary, live in the Damascus community and have two children and four grandchildren.
Matlock said he has a lot of plans for the center and will stress the opportunities it offers.
“We are a great resource for the community and have provided pathways for a lot of citizens for enhancement,” Matlock said.
The center has programs from certification all the way up to doctoral programs. One that Matlock is excited about expanding is the nurse anesthesia program through Virginia Commonwealth University.
“All of this is right here in Southwest Virginia,” Matlock said. “I tell students to stay here and go far. We’re in the opportunity business and through education, we want to provide pathways. Our goal is for students to enter work in their chosen profession.” |