Rachel Strawn Named Program Director for Great Expectations
Rachel Mayes Strawn has been promoted to Program Director for Great Expectations. Rachel has been serving as the Great Expectations Planning Specialist for Innovation and Success since January 2014. In her new role, Rachel will manage Great Expectations, an initiative of the Virginia Community College System, which encourages and supports Virginia’s former and current foster youth to gain access to higher education, workforce training, and employment opportunities that improve their likelihood of life success. The position was most recently held by Anne Holton, new Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Rachel recently finished her dissertation defense in the Ph.D. program in Higher Education. The title of her dissertation was, Drivin’ Trucks, Huntin’ Bucks, and Reading Aristotle?: The Rural Student’s College Choice Dilemma.
She attended William and Mary for her Master's and received a BA from Christopher Newport University and a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Formerly, she has taught in a variety of areas including English as a Second Language, art and as a museum educator.
Rachel is from Gloucester, VA.
