Bill Text: VA SR42 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Sharon Morrissey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-08 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR42ER) [SR42 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SR42-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, at the end of 2023, Sharon Morrissey retired as the senior vice chancellor for academic and workforce programs at the Virginia Community College System, the culmination of a decades-long career in higher education; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, and North Carolina State University, Sharon Morrissey began her education career in North Carolina as an English instructor at Central Carolina Community College; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Morrissey subsequently served as a vice president at Fayetteville Technical Community College and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, president of Richmond Community College, and executive vice president for programs and chief academic officer of the North Carolina Community College System; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Morrissey joined the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) in 2014; she led initiatives to enhance student outcomes throughout the system by developing direct enrollment with co-requisite learning supports, creating stackable workforce credentials, offering credit for prior learning, implementing new technology to streamline processes, and improving pathways for students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Morrissey oversaw the implementation of a new program allowing low-income and middle-income students to pursue education in high-demand career fields; and
WHEREAS, Sharon Morrissey co-chaired the task force that developed the Opportunity 2027 strategic plan, which will guide the VCCS to achieve better equity in access, learning, and success for diverse students from every race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic group; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, Sharon Morrissey was also appointed as interim chancellor of the VCCS and provided able leadership to the Commonwealth's 23 community colleges; during her tenure as interim chancellor, she spearheaded the HIRE Virginia campaign to promote the significant role that the VCCS plays in workforce and economic development in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Sharon Morrissey hereby be commended on the occasion of her retirement as the senior vice chancellor for academic and workforce programs at the Virginia Community College System; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sharon Morrissey as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her courage and commitment to all students and her legacy of contributions to higher education and workforce development.
