About President Kress
Anne M. Kress, Ph.D.
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 serves on the boards and advisory councils of several prominent organizations, including the American Council on Education, Capital Area Food Bank, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Technology Council, GO Virginia Region 7, Leadership Greater Washington, and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s General Professional Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and the M&T Bank Greater Washington Directors’ Advisory Council.
She has testified before Congress on issues impacting community colleges and participated in federal rulemaking on higher education policy. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2024 Association of Community College Trustees Outstanding CEO Award for the Southern Region, Virginia Business 500, and the Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 and Women Who Mean Business awards.
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.
