Varner elevated to DDCC president

The High Point Enterprise, N.C.
·2 min read

Nov. 17—THOMASVILLE — The woman who has been acting president of Davidson-Davie Community College for the past four months has been selected for the permanent job.

Jenny Varner will be the college's fifth president. The DDCC Board of Trustees' decision was affirmed Friday morning by the State Board of Community Colleges.

Varner succeeds Darrin Hartness, who died of esophageal cancer in July after serving as president since 2019.

Varner has been at the college since 2008 and was previously vice president for external affairs and executive director of the college's foundation.

"I have been so fortunate to have worked side-by-side with the most dedicated colleagues and board members for the last 15 years as we focused on the education and success of our students and the Davidson and Davie communities," Varner said. "And now, together, we have a 60-year legacy to uphold as we honor the past, build on our successes, and chart the future of this amazing college."

In her previous roles, Varner led the Davidson-Davie Foundation through its years of greatest growth, led celebrations of the college's 50th anniversary in 2013 and oversaw the renaming of the college from Davidson County Community College to Davidson-Davie in 2021. She was engaged in all aspects of campus decision-making as a member of the senior leadership team, said William P. Steed, chair of the board of trustees.

"She has been a steadfast advocate for the school for the past 15 years and has already been instrumental in helping guide the college through growth and change. She is deeply rooted in not only the fabric of the school but of our communities, and we look forward to furthering the mission of Davidson-Davie under her leadership, he said.

Varner graduated from Duke University with bachelor's and master's degrees in public policy. Prior to coming to Davidson-Davie, she worked for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and for NASPA, the student affairs professional organization. As a college senior, she co-founded and later ran a nonprofit focused on student leadership.

Varner is a Davidson County native and actively engaged in the local community, serving on the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce Board for six years and the Family Services of Davidson County Board for eight years, as well as various other leadership and fundraising roles.