Norfolk mayor named Richard Bland College’s interim president

Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander will be interim president of the two-year Richard Bland College starting in May, the Prince George County school announced this week.

In 2025, RBC gained its independence from William & Mary, formerly its parent university. The college’s board of visitors appointed Alexander, who will succeed President Debbie L. Sydow. She is set to step down June 30, she announced last fall.

“The board provided for a brief overlap of President Sydow and interim President Alexander’s service to ensure a smooth and effective leadership transition leading into the new fiscal year on July 1,” the college said in a statement.

As interim president, Alexander will advance RBC’s 2028 strategic plan approved by the college’s board at its Jan. 28 meeting. Aligning with the Virginia Plan for Higher Education, the plan prioritizes the development of workforce programming and meeting regional needs such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, health care and aviation technologies.

“Dr. Alexander will be a strong champion for Richard Bland College and its mission,” Rector John Rathbone said in a statement. “His political acumen, leadership experience and commitment to regional workforce and economic development make him well suited to serve as interim president during a period of change.”

Alexander has said he will not seek re-election as mayor when his current term ends at the end of 2028.

In 2016, Alexander became Norfolk’s first Black mayor and was re-elected in 2020 and 2024. He is also president of Hampton Roads-based Metropolitan Funeral Service. Additionally, he has served as vice chancellor for strategic partnerships of the Virginia Community College System and as executive director of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education since July 10, 2025.

Previously, Alexander served as chancellor of Virginia Beach-based Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College and Tidewater Tech. He provided oversight of 20 campuses. Under his leadership, enrollment rose 15.4%, and graduation rates climbed to 86%.

Alexander served in the Virginia State Senate from 2012 to 2016 and as a delegate from 2002 to 2012.

A lifelong resident of Norfolk, Alexander earned an associate of applied science degree from Brightpoint Community College; a bachelor’s degree in political science from Old Dominion University; a master’s degree in diplomacy from Norwich University in Vermont and a doctorate in leadership and change from Antioch University in Ohio.

At the January meeting, the board named Sydow, who has led the college since 2012, president emerita of Richard Bland College.

During her tenure, Sydow advocated for the college’s independence. RBC was established in 1960 as an extension campus of William & Mary.