RICHMOND (March 20, 2025) – The State Board for Community Colleges has certified three finalists for the position of president at Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC), to succeed Dr. Jim Shaeffer, who is retiring at the end of June after six years leading the college.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are Dr. Rushton Johnson, Jr. of Knoxville, Tennessee; Dr. Daryl Minus of South Hill, Virginia, and Dr. Ashli Hamilton Wilkins of Enterprise, Alabama.

They were among 59 applicants from across the nation who were considered for the ESCC post.
“Eastern Shore Community College plays a pivotal role in supporting the people and economy of its region, and I am confident that this group of finalists will yield a president who will lead the college successfully in its next era of service,” said Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges.

The finalists seek to become the sixth permanent president at Eastern Shore Community College. Arrangements are being made for each of the finalists to visit the college April 8th, 9th, and 10th to meet with faculty, staff, students and community members. Times and details will be announced soon.

About the Finalists

Dr. Rushton Johnson, Jr. currently serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville, TN, a post he has held since June 2018. Prior to that, Dr. Johnson served as Vice President of Student Affairs at Atlanta Technical College. He gained faculty teaching experience at Pellissippi State, The University of Georgia College of Education, Stillman College, and Nicolls State University College of Education. Dr. Johnson also served as Executive Director of Student Life at Southern Oregon University, Dean of Students at Nicolls State University, Asst. Dean of Students at Millsaps College, Director of Residence Life at Southern College, and Director of Student Activities at Stillman College.

Dr. Johnson earned a B.A. at Birmingham-Southern College, Master’s Degrees from Harvard University and Jacksonville State, and a Doctor of Education Degree at the University of Alabama.

Dr. Daryl L. Minus currently serves as Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC), Alberta, VA, a post he has held since August 2020. Prior to that, he was 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, 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 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. Ashli Hamilton Wilkins currently serves as Vice President and Dean, Institutional Services and Community Development at Wallace Community College, Dothan, AL, a post she has held since July 2018. Dr. Wilkins has been affiliated with Wallace Community College for almost 25 years, serving as Dean of Institutional Services and Community Development, Director of Institutional Advancement, Director of Grants and External Funding, and Instructor of English. Dr. Wilkins also served as adjunct Instructor of English at Troy University and Chipola College.

Dr. Wilkins earned a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree at Troy University, and a Ph.D. from Auburn University.

Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC) is part of 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. For more information, please visit https://es.vccs.edu.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges:
Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills, so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. In academic year 2024, Virginia’s Community Colleges served more than 232,000 students across 23 schools throughout Virginia. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu. For more information on FastForward, please visit fastforwardva.org

Media Contact:
Bill LeCato– Marketing and Development Officer (757) 789-1797