Anne M. Kress
President | Northern Virginia Community College
Dr. Anne M. Kress is President of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), one of the largest community colleges in the nation, serving more than 70,000 students across six campuses. A champion for student success, she has over three decades of experience in higher education leadership.Dr. Kress is actively engaged in national and regional policy and advocacy efforts. She is vice chair of the American Council on Education board, serves on the board of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metro Area, and is a member of the Virginia Council of Presidents. She serves on the boards of multiple Greater Washington and Virginia organizations, including the Capital Area Food Bank, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Technology Council, and Leadership Greater Washington. She is also a member of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and M&T Bank’s Greater Washington Directors’ Advisory Council.Dr. Kress has testified before Congress on issues impacting community colleges and participated as a negotiator in federal rulemaking on higher education policy. Her leadership has been recognized with the 2024 Association of Community College Trustees Outstanding CEO Award for the Southern Region. She has been named to lists of the Virginia Business 500;Washington Business Journal Power 100; Washingtonian 250 Most Powerful Women; and 50 Most Influential Northern Virginians.Dr. Kress earned bachelor’s degrees in finance and English, a master’s in English, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration—all from the University of Florida
