Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander to serve as Chancellor for Centura College, Aviation Institute of Maintenance & Tidewater Tech
Centura College, Aviation Institute of Maintenance & Tidewater Tech are pleased to announce the appointment of Kenneth Cooper Alexander as Chancellor of their institution. Dr. Alexander will oversee policy development and provide direction for institutional mission, core values and vision while supervising external affairs for their 19 campuses across the country.
A widely respected business leader and public servant, Alexander earned his doctoral degree from Antioch University in 2018. The proprietor of Metropolitan Funeral Service, he also serves as Mayor of Norfolk, Virginia.
“We are excited that Dr. Alexander is bringing his dynamic mix of experience, vision, and energy to our vast national network of career technical institutions. We are ready for him to chart our course towards excellence and lead the development of America’s next generation of skilled workers,” stated Dr. Joel A. English, Executive Vice President of the institution.
“Career and technical education and the development of credentialed skills have played a significant role in my success and are critical to the growth of America’s middle class and development of our next generation of entrepreneurs. I look forward to leading these institutions and creating a pipeline of skilled talent that will power American industry,” said Alexander.
An associate degree from John Tyler Community College helped to launch Alexander’s successful business career. While building his family business, Alexander continued his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Old Dominion University, a Master of Arts in diplomacy from Norwich University, and a doctorate in leadership and change from Antioch University. His dissertation will be published the year. Alexander has also served as an instructor at Tidewater Community College and as a guest lecturer at universities throughout the state.
Alexander began his career in public service as the president of the Beacon Light Civic League in Norfolk’s historic Berkley Community. After leading a series of local economic development initiatives, he was elected to Virginia’s House of Delegates where he served on the education committee and its subcommittee on higher education and as chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. Alexander was later elected to the Senate of Virginia where he served on the finance committee and the Joint Subcommittee on the Future Competitiveness of Virginia Higher Education. During his 14 years of service as a state legislator, Alexander championed progressive and inclusive education policies and opportunities for career technical education and skill development. He led negotiations that shaped legislation and numerous budget agreements. Alexander also worked to achieve multi-state consensus for higher education initiatives through the education committee of the Southern Legislative Conference.
As Mayor of the City of Norfolk, Alexander has championed economic development and workforce solutions by opening the Norfolk State University Innovation Center in downtown Norfolk which currently supports a collaborative ecosystem of entrepreneurs, established local businesses and city agencies. He also spearheaded the creation of the Old Dominion University Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This is a “technology application center,” also located in downtown Norfolk, that serves as a leader, convener, and catalyst for business development in Virginia.
About ACT: Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College & Tidewater Tech
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), Centura College and Tidewater Tech are career training schools dedicated to helping men and women develop careers since 1969. The schools have grown to become a network of campuses across the nation that offer professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes and job placement assistance. AIM provides hands-on training in aviation maintenance and is an FAA approved A&P school accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). AIM Norfolk and Manassas are certified to operate by SCHEV. AIM Las Vegas campus is licensed to operate by the Commission on Postsecondary Education. AIM Indianapolis is regulated by Office for Career and Technical Schools 10 N Senate Avenue, Suite SE 308 Indianapolis IN 46204 OCTS@dwd.in.gov http://www.in.gov/dwd/2731.htm. Centura College offers training in healthcare, business, and skilled trades and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Tidewater Tech is accredited by the Commission of the Council of Occupational Education (COE). Tidewater Tech specializes in trade vocations including Auto Technician, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Building Maintenance and Repair and Welding and is certified to Operate by SCHEV. Learn more at www.AviationMaintenance.edu, www.CenturaCollege.edu, www.tidewatertechtrades.edu or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AIM.edu, https://www.facebook.com/centura.edu or https://www.facebook.com/TidewaterTech.edu/.
Contact: Dr. Joel English
Executive Vice President
Centura College
4455 South Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: (757) 817-6708
E-mail: jenglish@centura.edu