Edna Baehre-Kolovani takes over as president of TCC

Tidewater Community College (TCC) welcomes Edna Baehre-Kolovani, Ph.D. as its fifth president. She succeeds Deborah M. DiCroce, who retired last winter after serving as TCC’s president for 14 years. Peter A. Spina had served as the college’s interim president since March 1.

“I am delighted about the opportunity to work toward continued success for TCC and those we serve,” said Baehre-Kolovani. “I am ready to listen and ready to lead one of the most dynamic community colleges in the nation. I look forward to being a part of the Hampton Roads community.”

Baehre-Kolovani comes to TCC from California, where she has been president and superintendent of Napa Valley Community College since 2010. Under her tenure, the college received federal recognition as a Hispanic Serving Institution, receiving a $3.8 million STEM grant as a result. Several initiatives to increase revenue were started, including The Institute for Business Excellence, which provides industry relevant workforce training to Napa residents.

Virginia Community College System Chancellor Glenn Dubois appointed Baehre-Kolovani in April, noting, “She has a track record of setting the right priorities, establishing terrific community partnerships and applying ample elbow grease to ensure that her community college is vibrant and serving the community well.”

Said TCC College Board Chairman Tom Wilson, “We are very excited to have Dr. Baehre-Kolovani as TCC’s new president. I was impressed with her energy and enthusiasm, her experience with community college systems, her ability to work with others and her engaging personality. I have confidence she will take TCC to the next level.”

TCC faculty and staff are also excited about working with its new president, who has an extensive background in strategic planning, expanding and diversifying college enrollment and fundraising and public advocacy.

“It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Baehre-Kolovani to the Hampton Roads community and Tidewater Community College,” said Ellyn Hodgis, chair of the Faculty Senate. “The Faculty Senate looks forward to a continued collaborative relationship with the office of the president as partners in shared governance promoting academic integrity and student success.”

Baehre-Kolovani holds a doctorate and a master’s in German and comparative literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Paedagogische Hochschule in Heidelberg, Germany. She is trilingual in English, German and French and is in the process of acquiring Spanish proficiency.