RCC welcomes new Foundation director
Jan 14, 2025Rockingham Community College has brought Paul Farrar on board as director of Development/executive director of the RCC Foundation, succeeding Kim Pryor, who retired in October 2024.
Farrar is a first-generation college graduate and product of a community college. He is from Spencer, Va., where he has lived his entire life. Farrar married Ashley Gann Farrar from the Madison area of Stokes County in July 2005. Their 15-year-old son Carson is a freshman at Patrick County High School in Stuart, Va.
Farrar started his educational journey at Patrick and Henry Community College in Martinsville, Va., where he received his associate degree in Administration of Justice. He continued his education at Averett University in Danville, Va., earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Education.
The Averett University faculty named him Outstanding Criminal Justice Major, and the Patrick and Henry Foundation named him Distinguished Patrick Henry Alumni.
Even though Farrar did not attend Rockingham Community College, his wife is a proud alumna and benefactor of an RCC Foundation scholarship, when she was an RCC student in 2002.
“Ashley received a full scholarship to RCC through the generosity of donors to the RCC Foundation. Without the Apple Family Scholarship, she most likely would not have been able to attend school with the salary of her parents who worked at Gem Dandy and Southern Steel in Madison,” Farrar said.
Because of this scholarship, she was also able to become the first in her family to obtain a college education.
“I am proud to now be able to lead the Foundation that has contributed so positively to the life of my wife and my family,” Farrar said.
Most recently, Farrar worked at Danville Community College as the director of its TARE programs, which assist low-income parents with breaking through barriers in education and receive workforce credentials to become gainfully employed. Previously, Farrar worked for Ross Innovative Employment Solutions as a workforce services delivery manager during the COVID pandemic. In this role, he led a team of seven in assisting the Virginia Employment Commission in its job search function while the team resolved unemployment claims due to COVID.
Prior to that, Farrar spent 11 years at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center overseeing the Virginia Tobacco Scholarship-Loan program provided by the Virginia Tobacco Commission. During this time, he promoted the program to 18 counties and cities in Southside Virginia.
Farrar believes education is the great equalizer and has dedicated his career and professional life to helping others obtain their education to achieve their professional and personal goals.
Farrar also serves as a deacon at Stone Memorial Christian Church in Collinsville, Va.
“I would love to discuss the positive role the Foundation serves at RCC and would also love to discuss how generous donations to the Foundation can create lasting impact in the community,” Farrar said.
He can be reached at 336-342-4261 ext. 2201 or farrarp2869@rockinghamcc.edu.
~Staff Report
