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

The news comes almost a month after the state’s community college system announced on March 31 that Dr. William C. Aiken would be leading the college for at least one year starting in early April. He replaces Dr. Paul Wm. Conco, who announced in October that he would retire in June. Conco is finishing out his term from the office of the chancellor of the Virginia Community College System.

Describing her time at PDCCC as “the experience of a lifetime,” Blow will move next to Tidewater Community College as vice president of Institutional Advancement, and executive director of the TCC Educational Foundation. She has been at PDCCC for nearly three years.

During a phone interview on Tuesday afternoon, Blow said, and later reiterated, that her move began previous to the aforementioned situation, and is “not at all related to the most recent transition.”

As for her future career move, she stated in her resignation letter that “TCC is the second largest education institution in Virginia, and the 11th largest in the nation. So I’m sure you share my excitement at being able to join such a stellar team!”

Wendy Harrison, director of public relations at PDCCC concurred.

“It’s a bigger college,” she said. “I think it’s an opportunity for her.”

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 Tenth Anniversary Celebration of the construction of our Regional Workforce Development Center.”

But the change in work venue does not mean that Blow will be dropping her personal involvement in Franklin.

“I love the community,” she said. “My engagement will not wan. My intention is to remain on the Franklin Southampton Economic Development board. It’s an important role.”

Pointing out that she has a son in school locally, as well as her husband’s business, Blow added, “I intend to remain engaged in the community I love. I’ve been a part of the Greater Hampton Roads market for years, such as SPSA and Cox [Communications]. Perhaps I’ll be more engaged.”

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.

Not wanting to leave the college “in a lurch,” she’ll remain after graduation and the PDCCC Foundation board meeting.

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

Previous to her arrival at PDCCC in April 2012, Blow had been the director of public affairs for Cox Communications. She succeeded Dr. Patsy Joyner, who retired after 31 years with the college.

For nearly 19 years, Blow had also worked for the Southeastern Public Service Authority, a regional waste management and environmental services organization. She served as director of public relations and marketing from 1999 to 2008.

Blow graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts from Hampton University and summa cum laude with a master’s degree in business administration from Strayer University.

She has served with the Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc., National Public Relations Society of America’s Audit Committee, Urban League of Greater Hampton Roads Board of Directors, USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia Board of Directors and Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

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.