Virginia Community College Chancellor to deliver address at ESCC’s 54th Annual Commencement tonight

Eastern Shore Community College will celebrate its 54th Annual Commencement on Wednesday, May 14, at 5:00 p.m., with a rain date set for Thursday, May 15. The ceremony will take place on the college’s Melfa campus and will feature a keynote address from Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).

Dr. Doré, who became the system’s tenth chancellor in 2023, oversees Virginia’s 23 community colleges, which collectively serve more than 200,000 students annually. A first-generation college student himself, Doré has built a career dedicated to student success, inclusive learning environments, and increasing educational access for adult learners and underrepresented populations.

Before leading the VCCS, Dr. Doré served as President of Campuses and Executive Vice Chancellor at Pima Community College in Arizona, managing five campuses and a wide range of workforce development programs. His earlier career also included academic leadership roles in Tempe and San Francisco.

Dr. Doré holds a Doctor of Education degree from Pepperdine University, along with master’s degrees from Georgetown University, Boston College, and Santa Clara University. He also earned an advanced degree in philosophy from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree from Gannon University.

A recognized voice in national education leadership, Doré was named a Presidential Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program in 2017 and continues to champion the transformative impact of community colleges.

Commencement at ESCC is a ticketed event, with a limited number of seats available to graduates for family and guests. For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be broadcast live on WESR-FM 103.3 and streamed at ShoreDailyNews.com and the Eastern Shore Radio App.