By Stephen Cowles

Special to the News-Herald

Felicia Blow announced her resignation as vice president of Institutional Advancement of Paul D. Camp Community College on Monday. She is also stepping down as secretary and executive director of the PDCCC Foundation. Her departure becomes effective May 21.

The news comes almost a month after the March 31 announcement that Dr. William C. Aiken would be replacing Dr. Paul Conco as president of the college on an interim basis. Conco, whose retirement was set to be effective June 30, is finishing his term from the office of the chancellor of the Virginia Community College System.

Blow, who has been at PDCCC nearly three years, will move to Tidewater Community College as vice president of institutional advancement, and executive director of the TCC Educational Foundation.

Blow said Tuesday that her move is “not at all related to the most recent transition” and that it had been in the works since before Conco’s removal.

Blow noted in her resignation letter that TCC is the second-largest provider of undergraduate education in Virginia, and the 11th largest public, two-year community college in the nation.

“So I’m sure you share my excitement at being able to join such a stellar team!”

Randy Betz, vice president of the Regional Workforce Development Center, praised Blow’s contributions to the college.

“Felicia’s work product was excellent,” he said. “Most notably Felicia worked with our Foundation Board to complete our major gifts campaign, enhanced and promoted our college’s brand identity through a variety of media, consolidated management of our grant funding, and orchestrated special and fun events such as the 10th anniversary celebration of the construction of our Regional Workforce Development Center.”

Blow said she intends to remain in the Franklin area. She has a son in school there, and her husband’s business is located there, she said.

She’s confident in the interim president’s abilities to lead PDCCC.

“I think that Dr. Aiken will effectively restore the college to its former luster with the support of faculty, staff and external stakeholders,” Blow said.

“I truly appreciate the time I’ve spent at the college and the valuable lessons learned,” she stated in the letter. “I am eternally grateful for the engagement, support, and wonderful relationships I’ve built with fine folks such as yourselves.”

Prior to joining PDCCC, Blow had been the director of public affairs for Cox Communications. For nearly 19 years before that post, Blow had worked for the Southeastern Public Service Authority, serving as director of public relations and marketing from 1999 to 2008.

Blow is past chair and former member of the PDCCC Local College Board. She has received numerous awards in public relations, communications and marketing.

She and her husband, Alvin, are the parents of Victoria, 17, and Trevor, 10.