2008 Woodie Awards
Lea announces retirement July 1
By Eric Melcher, VSCC Public Relations
Issue date: 6/6/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Dr. Charles Lea, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Volunteer State Community College, has announced his retirement. Dr. Lea has served at Volunteer State for 15 years. He has worked in higher education for 30 years.
"I just feel like it's an ideal time for me to go ahead and retire, because of where I consider our academic programs and the college to be right now," said Dr. Lea. "I feel like we're on top. Our programs are exactly where we want them to be, and we can hand them over to the next leader."
"We're going to miss Charles. His dedication to the students and to the faculty has been extraordinary," said Volunteer State President, Dr. Warren Nichols. "His positive impact on this institution will be felt for many years to come."
Dr. Lea began his higher education career at Motlow State Community College, where he worked as a teacher, counselor, chief student affairs officer, and director of a job training partnership program. He served as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, before moving to Chattanooga State Technical Community College in 1988. In 1991 Dr. Lea was hired as the chief academic officer at Volunteer State.
"I want to thank our former president, Dr. Ramer, for hiring me, and for the great years we had," said Dr. Lea. "I also want to thank Dr. Nichols for allowing me to continue my work under his administration."
New technology and increased community involvement are some of the accomplishments during Dr. Lea's tenure at Volunteer State. He was closely involved in starting high school dual enrollment courses, online classes and outfitting classrooms with the latest technology. He also worked to develop the award winning NewSkills program, which uses computer software and personal tutoring to help students build their skills in math and English.
"I would like to thank our academic leaders, faculty and staff for all of their support, to make our dreams become a reality," said Dr. Lea.
Dr. Lea was at the forefront of the P-16 education initiative in Sumner, Wilson and Robertson counties. It's a partnership between civic leaders, secondary school systems and Volunteer State. He was also a founding chair of the Regents Online Degree Program Oversight Committee with the Tennessee Board of Regents.
"We took RODP from a concept and watched to see it develop into one of the top distance education consortia in the country," he said.
Dr. Lea's retirement will be effective July 1.
"I just feel like it's an ideal time for me to go ahead and retire, because of where I consider our academic programs and the college to be right now," said Dr. Lea. "I feel like we're on top. Our programs are exactly where we want them to be, and we can hand them over to the next leader."
"We're going to miss Charles. His dedication to the students and to the faculty has been extraordinary," said Volunteer State President, Dr. Warren Nichols. "His positive impact on this institution will be felt for many years to come."
Dr. Lea began his higher education career at Motlow State Community College, where he worked as a teacher, counselor, chief student affairs officer, and director of a job training partnership program. He served as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, before moving to Chattanooga State Technical Community College in 1988. In 1991 Dr. Lea was hired as the chief academic officer at Volunteer State.
"I want to thank our former president, Dr. Ramer, for hiring me, and for the great years we had," said Dr. Lea. "I also want to thank Dr. Nichols for allowing me to continue my work under his administration."
New technology and increased community involvement are some of the accomplishments during Dr. Lea's tenure at Volunteer State. He was closely involved in starting high school dual enrollment courses, online classes and outfitting classrooms with the latest technology. He also worked to develop the award winning NewSkills program, which uses computer software and personal tutoring to help students build their skills in math and English.
"I would like to thank our academic leaders, faculty and staff for all of their support, to make our dreams become a reality," said Dr. Lea.
Dr. Lea was at the forefront of the P-16 education initiative in Sumner, Wilson and Robertson counties. It's a partnership between civic leaders, secondary school systems and Volunteer State. He was also a founding chair of the Regents Online Degree Program Oversight Committee with the Tennessee Board of Regents.
"We took RODP from a concept and watched to see it develop into one of the top distance education consortia in the country," he said.
Dr. Lea's retirement will be effective July 1.
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