Education 2024: ANNE M. KRESS

After starting her post-secondary education career as  a faculty member teaching English, Kress now presides over Virginia’s largest community college — and one of the nation’s largest — with more than 70,000 students across six campuses, including NOVA’s Medical Education Campus in Springfield.

Her tenure began in 2020 following a nearly 30-year career that includes posts as provost at Santa Fe University and president of Monroe Community College in Florida. 

Kress has received awards from the Higher Learning Advocates, the Virginia Community College System, Phi Theta Kappa, the American Association of University Women and the University of Florida, her alma mater.

She has testified before Congress on community colleges and workforce development and served as a negotiator on federal higher education regulations.

Kress serves on the boards of the American Council on Education, Leadership Greater Washington, Capital Area Food Bank and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metro Area.

She earned bachelor’s degrees in English and finance, a master’s degree in English and a doctorate in higher education administration, all from the University of Florida.