By Wendy Harrison
Special to the News-Herald

Dr. Patsy Joyner, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Paul D. Camp Community College, is retiring in January 2012 after three decades of service to the college.

“I am now ready to retire, and I look forward to unscheduled time,” she said.

Coming to work for the college in 1980, she first served as administrative assistant to the president and adjunct teacher for early childhood classes. In 1984, she accepted the position of director of community and continuing education, (the predecessor of workforce development) and in 1995, she was named director — and later vice president — for institutional advancement.

Responsibilities of this position include public relations, legislative affairs, community partnerships, scholarships and fundraising through the college’s foundation, for which she serves as executive director. Joyner is widely known as a PDCCC cheerleader.

“Paul D. Camp Community College is one of the greatest assets in our community,” Joyner said. “Affordable and close to home, it provides access to higher education, workforce training that enhances economic development, non-credit community-service classes, a summertime Kids College, a community-wide facility usage in its Regional Workforce Development Center, and many other options.”

Joyner has first-hand knowledge of the college’s benefits. In the early 1970s, she was taking a full schedule of courses at Paul D. Camp Community College, attending classes four nights a week and during lunch hours while working full-time. She was in the first PDCCC graduating class, earning an associate’s degree in pre-teacher education.

This two-year degree positioned her to pursue other degrees (all while working full-time). She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and a master’s in humanities from Old Dominion University. In addition, she earned a doctorate in higher education administration from The College of William and Mary.

Some of the highlights during her tenure include coordinating college presidential inaugurations, groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies, golf tournaments and fundraisers, as well as annual visits to the General Assembly.

She also implemented the Student Ambassadors program and initiated the Camp to Camp Scholarships at the college. She has written numerous grants, news releases, articles and weekly newspaper columns.

Joyner has been active on local boards, including those of the Genieve Shelter, the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, the Healthy Woman Board at Southampton Memorial Hospital, and the Franklin Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, among others. She also served the Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor Chamber of Commerce as chair of its legislative committee.

Joyner said that she is fortunate to work at Paul D. Camp Community College, where she got her start, and to help others pursue their education.

“It is so fulfilling to have a meaningful job that makes a positive difference for our students and the communities we serve,” she said. “I have enjoyed watching the college evolve over the years, and brag on its accomplishments.”

“I will miss interacting with the students and my family of wonderful colleagues — especially the dedicated and highly-productive staff in institutional advancement,” she said. “I will miss many special people in the community who support the college in so many ways, and I will miss being a part of the college’s growing expansion of services under the energetic leadership of our seventh president. It is an exciting time to be at Paul D. Camp.”

Dr. Paul Conco, college president, noted that Joyner has been an integral part of PDCCC for more than 30 years.

“We will miss her wonderful enthusiasm and energy that she always brought to every task,” he said. “I know she will continue to be a Paul D. Camp Community College cheerleader, even in retirement.”