Fayetteville Technical Community College is pleased to announce that Dr. DeSandra Washington has been named Vice President for Academic Support and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Services. In this capacity, Dr. Washington will oversee several departments, including Library Services, the Student
Learning Center, University Outreach, Parents for Higher Education (PFHE) and the Male Mentoring Success Initiative (MMSI). She will also lead the newly established Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) services. In this capacity, Dr, Washington will provide leadership over the implementation of DEI initiatives to facilitate a learning environment centered around equity, inclusive excellence and the celebration of human diversity. She will work closely with leadership in creating strategies and initiatives that will advance innovative DEI services. Dr. Washington will lead a cross-functional team that will meet the DEI needs of the college.
Dr. Washington began working at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) in 1998 as the Basic Skills Counselor. Since that time, she has served in several roles, including Distance Learning Counselor, Admissions Counselor, Testing Coordinator, Director of Counseling and Admissions, Dean of the Spring Lake Campus and Associate Vice President for Academic Support. Dr. Washington has served on several committees at FTCC including the Enrollment Management committee, the SACSCOC tenth-year reaffirmation committee, the SACSCOC fifth-year reaffirmation committee, the Mighty Minority Male committee and the Student Appeals committee.
Due to her work with serving and supporting racially minoritized students, Dr. Washington was selected as an Engaging Excellence in Equity Fellow, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. To continue the practice of transforming lives, she was honored to be a part of the 2020-2022 William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations. In 2021, due to the encouragement by then-FTCC President Dr. J. Larry Keen and then-FTCC Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services Dr. Mark A. Sorrells, Dr. Washington was afforded the opportunity to complete the Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program through eCornell at Cornell University. Dr. Sorrells became president of FTCC on Jan. 1, following Dr. Keen’s retirement.
Dr. Washington earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Master of Arts in School Personnel from North Carolina Central University. She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Fayetteville State University with a specialization in higher education. Dr. Washington is a dedicated community servant and says one of her greatest joys is helping others.