Featured Keynote Speaker

Dr. Anne M. Kress

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
Opening General Session

President

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 initiatives. She serves as Chair of the American Council on Education Board and is a member of the board of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Her regional and community engagement includes board service with the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and the Virginia Council of Presidents, as well as the Capital Area Food Bank, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and Leadership Greater Washington. She is also a member of the President’s Forum, the Global Community College Leadership Network, 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.