The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, VA (VA) — Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is proud to announce the successful completion of its Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Four dedicated employees concluded the rigorous eight-month professional development journey, which prepared them to take on expanded leadership roles within the college and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).
The ELP, established in the 2024-2025 academic year, was designed to develop MGCC employees who embody the core values of connecting, caring, and collaborating. Since beginning their program last September, the participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum that combined classroom discussions with in-depth book studies. The program concluded in April with the presentation of individual leadership projects, where participants
applied best practices to address specific needs within the college and the local region.
The 2025-2026 Graduates
The following individuals were recognized for their commitment to professional excellence and their potential to serve as future directors, deans, department chairs, and vice-presidents at MGCC:
Katherine Wrenn
Sara Carey
LaShonda Ochieng
Tim Nicely
A Vision for Future Leadership
Throughout the program, these emerging leaders were provided with the platform and resources to lead change initiatives while gaining an expansive view of MGCC’s organizational landscape. By creating a space to discuss current leadership challenges and regional opportunities, the ELP ensured these graduates are prepared to be competitive and successful in today’s educational arena.
“Through Mountain Gateway Community College’s Emerging Leaders Program, these graduates have demonstrated what it means to connect, care, and collaborate in service to others,” said Dr. John Rainone, President of MGCC and facilitator of the program. “They have not only strengthened their leadership skills but have also developed the vision and confidence to lead meaningful change across our college and the communities we serve. I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see the impact they will continue to make.”
ABOUT MGCC: Founded in 1962 and located in the Alleghany Highlands region of Central Virginia, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education and one of 23 community colleges in Virginia.
Mountain Gateway Community College operates two educational campuses, the Clifton Forge campus and the Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista. MGCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees.
Mountain Gateway Community College is supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Northern Botetourt, and Rockbridge; the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington. For more information about Mountain Gateway Community College, please visit MGCC.edu
Katherine Wrenn, Sara Carey, LaShonda Ochieng, Tim Nicely (MGCC photo)
