Cornelius Johnson was recently appointed the eighth permanent president of Danville Community College, the Virginia Community College System announced Tuesday.

VCCS Chancellor David Doré said Johnson’s appointment follows a national search that drew 79 candidates. Johnson has served as interim president at DCC since Dec. 1, 2024, and will begin his new role July 1.

“We know that Dr. Johnson will definitely hit the ground running,” Doré said. “He has been serving as interim president at Danville since last December and has been on DCC’s core leadership team since 2021.”

Johnson previously served as vice president of academic affairs and student services at DCC from 2021 to 2025. He has more than 27 years of experience in higher education, including roles as dean of student success at El Centro College in Dallas, interim dean of  student development at Lone Star College-Tomball in Houston, and program manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. He has also held faculty positions at Indiana State University, the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of Houston-Downtown and the University of Houston.

“Dr. Johnson’s appointment as president of Danville Community College marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter,” said Kathryn Roberts, chair of the DCC Advisory Board. “With his extensive experience in higher education and dedication to student success, he embodies the values that will lead DCC to new heights.”

Johnson earned an associate degreefrom Seattle Central Community College, a bachelor’s from the University of Washington, a master’s from Indiana State University, and a doctor of education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He also is a graduate of the American Association of Community Colleges’ Future Presidents Institute.

“I look forward to leading and working alongside our dedicated faculty, staff and community partners as we write the college’s next chapter in advancing our mission and expanding opportunities for every student and community member we serve,” Johnson said in a statement.