RICHMOND, VA – Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), announced today he has appointed Dr. Daryl Minus to become the sixth permanent president at Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC). Dr. Minus’ selection concludes a search that attracted 59 candidates nationwide. His service as president at Eastern Shore will begin July 1.

“I’m pleased that a candidate of Dr. Minus’ experience and distinction will succeed Dr. Jim Shaeffer, who has led Eastern Shore Community College through six transformative years,” said Dr. Doré. “I’m confident Dr. Minus will build on the vital service that ESCC provides for its students and community.”

“Our months-long search attracted exceptional candidates, and we are grateful to all of the talented educators who expressed interest in the Eastern Shore presidency,” he added.

Dr. Minus currently serves as Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) in Alberta, Virginia, a post he has held since August 2020. Dr. Minus has twenty years experience as an administrator and executive in Virginia, North Carolina, and California’s community college systems. His experience includes Education Assistance Branch Manager/Education Services Officer (ESO), U.S. Marine Corps Community Services in Jacksonville, NC; Vice President, Student Services and Enrollment Management, Cape Fear Community College; Vice President and Executive Vice President for Learning and Student Success/Chief Academic Officer, Craven Community College; Dean of Student Services, Tidewater Community College; Dean of Counseling, Chabot College; and Dean, Learning Support Services, Bakersfield College. Dr. Minus also was an adjunct faculty member at Craven Community College and the University of Maryland.

Dr. Minus earned a B.A. at Hampton University, a master’s degree at New York University, and a Doctor of Education degree at University of Phoenix.

“Dr. Minus brings a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to Eastern Shore Community College,” said Odell “Ray” Wood, chair of the Eastern Shore Community College Advisory Board. “His dedication to fostering educational excellence will help ESCC expand program opportunities for our students and further strengthen our ties in the community. I’m truly excited to see the positive impact his leadership will have on our students and the community.”

Board vice chair Nick Chuquín shared the same enthusiasm for Minus’ appointment.

“Dr. Shaeffer has done an outstanding job in growing enrollment at Eastern Shore Community College, and as we welcome Dr. Minus, I am excited to see how he will build upon this success. With Dr. Minus’ commitment to higher education, I look forward to him continuing to nurture the YES! culture of Your Eastern Shore where every student has the opportunity to thrive.”

“I am elated to serve as the sixth president of Eastern Shore Community College and build on the outstanding legacy established by Dr. Jim Shaeffer,” said Dr. Minus. “ESCC is an exceptional institution, with a dynamic history of creating expanded learning and earning pathways for the citizens of Accomack and Northampton counties. I am honored to join this vibrant community and prioritize strategic efforts that position students for success and enhanced economic mobility.”

About Eastern Shore Community College

Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC) is one of 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and serves the residents of Accomack and Northampton Counties as a two-year institution of higher education. Students at ESCC can enhance job and career prospects through a wide range of associate degrees and through robust workforce development programs that offer credentials in high-demand career fields, including skilled trades.  Originally a branch of the University of Virginia, the institution joined the Virginia Community College System in 1971. The college was accredited and granted membership in the Southern Association of College Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 1973 and moved to its current location in Melfa, Virginia in 1974. ESCC occupies a 115-acre site on U.S. Route 13 on the southern end of the Delmarva Peninsula.

At Your Eastern Shore Community College, a committee of faculty and staff receives nominations for faculty and staff recognition and awards. At the 2025 Commencement on Wednesday, May 14th, Interim VP of Academic and Workforce Programs, Dr. Ramzi Ockaili announced the results of the voting that took place this spring.

Recognition for Teaching Effectiveness. The first award is given to a faculty member whose performance in the classroom or other instructional environments best exemplifies effectiveness in promoting student achievement. This year’s Teaching Effectiveness Awards was presented to: Felicia Blake, Susan Greer and Tonya Martin.  

The Faculty Scholarly and Creative Engagement Award is awarded to a faculty member who has achieved a significant academic scholarly accomplishment through research, publishing and/or professional presentations, grant activity, or creative works. The 2025 Faculty Scholarly and Creative Engagement Award was presented to: Alex Foxworthy and Bill McCarter. 

The Faculty Community Impact Award is awarded to a member of the full-time teaching faculty who has greatly impacted the college’s image through community service and involvement. This year’s award winner is John Floyd. 

The Caramine Kellam and Dr. Caramine White Award is for an ESCC faculty or staff member who has shown extraordinary concern for students and has gone above and beyond in their effort to help students succeed in school or life.   This year’s recipient is Christina Duffman.

The final award is the highest ESCC award for which a faculty member may be nominated. This faculty member substantially and demonstrably exceeded performance expectations in one or more of the following areas: Teaching, Scholarly and Creative Engagement, Institutional Responsibility, or Service. The Faculty Reward for Professional Excellence was presented to Dr. Alex Foxworthy.  

Dr. Foxworthy has brought real, hands-on science to life for students. From leading the pollen study to organizing community events like the microscope photo contest, he shows just how exciting and relevant science can be. He’s also the founder and advisor of one of the most beloved new student groups—the Woodworking Club.  

Dr. Foxworthy’s impact goes far beyond the classroom. Alex continues to mentor students even after they graduate, connecting them with internships, jobs, and new opportunities. One parent shared how he changed the course of her daughter’s life—from being her professor during the pandemic to still supporting her now, long after graduation.  He also plays a key role in supporting the college itself, serving on and leading multiple hiring and campus committees. 

Congratulations to all of the faculty award winners and to the Class of 2025 of Eastern Shore Community College. The May 14th commencement stream can be viewed online.

Dinner Event to Honor the Retiring President & Launch Scholarship on May 31st

Sponsorship Levels and Ticket Information *(Please read instructions carefully)

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Eastern Shore Community College announced that it will launch an Associate of Science degree in Engineering in Fall 2026. The new program is made possible by a lead gift of $1.25 million from Jane Batten to establish the Batten Engineering Fund at Eastern Shore Community College Foundation.  

As ESCC enrollment has grown steadily in recent years, the college now serves over 500 Full-Time Equivalent students with over 800 in headcount in transfer programs, and over 900 students in Workforce Development programs that include ESL, Adult Education, certificates, continuing education, and more.

Eastern Shore Community College is an important partner with NASA Wallops, which currently employs over 270 civil servants and approximately 850 contractors. In 2021 ESCC signed MOUs with Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority and Space Act Agreements with NASA Goddard and NASA Wallops to formalize their history in providing internships in the aerospace industry, as well as providing a direct pipeline of highly skilled technicians. With a large percentage of the workforce at Wallops starting their education and job training at ESCC, the college is positioned to become the Aerospace college within the Virginia Community College System.

In 2023, ESCC’s curriculum leading to the Associate of Science in Engineering was approved by both SCHEV (State Council for Higher Education for Virginia) and SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges).  Students will complete a general education curriculum with an emphasis on engineering courses. This degree will prepare them for transfer to four-year institutions where they can specialize in engineering disciplines for jobs at Wallops. The degree would also be applicable to careers that find solutions to climate change in the region.

Research from Virginia Community College System, using state data from Virginia Employment Commission, shows that for Accomack and Northampton counties, there is a significant increase in job openings for engineers. Specifically, openings for Civil Engineers increased 33% from 2019 to 2025 with average hourly earnings currently of $47.09 per hour. For Aerospace Engineers data show a 19% increase in job openings from 2019 to 2025 and average hourly earnings of $53.46. 

“I want to thank Jane Batten for her belief in our work and continued support for Your Eastern Shore Community College and the entire Eastern Shore,” explained ESCC President Jim Shaeffer. “With her generous gift, ESCC will be strongly positioned to create a well-educated workforce for not only aerospace, but for any  industries in the market for engineers.”