Virginia Peninsula Community College’s Kerry Ragno has been selected by the CIVIC Leadership Institute for its Executive Program class of 2026. She is named among nearly 50 leaders and visionaries from across the Hampton Roads region.
Established in 1994, the CIVIC Leadership Institute focuses on connecting and developing leaders from various backgrounds in Hampton Roads. It provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and addressing regional challenges through innovative solutions.
Ragno and participants representing business, healthcare, education, military, and non-profit organizations will engage in sessions each month from September to May 2026. Meetings will take place throughout the region, covering diverse timely topics.
“I am fortunate to be able to represent VPCC and spend the year learning with this group of outstanding leaders,” said Ragno, vice president of Academic Affairs at the College.
“I hope to develop a network of professionals who are committed to addressing issues that are important to the economic vitality of our region,” she added, noting this kind of work aligns well the College’s mission.
A Northern California native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from California State University, Chico, a master’s in education from San Jose State University, and a doctoral degree in education from Fielding Graduate University.
Ragno joined VPCC in 2022 after 15 years at Tidewater Community College. Starting at the Norfolk-based college in 2007, Ragno served as a faculty member and department chair in the early childhood program before serving nine years as dean of Language, Math, and Sciences at the Norfolk Campus, then Dean of Arts and Humanities college-wide.
In her executive leadership role at VPCC, she oversees academic programs to ensure the delivery of top-notch instruction that’s “appropriate, relevant and immediately useful to students.”
To learn more about Virginia Peninsula Community College’s academic and workforce development programs and services, visit vpcc.edu.