Brightpoint Community College Welcomes New Vice Presidents

Primary Media Contact: Holly Walker, Director of Communications and Public Relations, 804-594-1530

Secondary Media Contact: Heather Busch, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy, 804-594-1532

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – On July 15, 2024, Brightpoint Community College welcomed Dr. Tara Atkins-Brady as its new vice president of academic affairs and Dr. Case Willoughby as its new vice president of student affairs. Dr. Atkins-Brady and Dr. Willoughby bring with them wide-ranging experience in higher education, including a combined 23 years at the vice-presidential level.

“I am thrilled to have Dr. Atkins-Brady and Dr. Willoughby join the Brightpoint family,” says Dr. Bill Fiege, president of Brightpoint Community College. “They each possess extensive experience in higher education and leadership, as well as a deep understanding of community colleges. Dr. Atkins-Brady and Dr. Willoughby bring with them knowledge and skills that will help Brightpoint build upon its vibrant academic and workforce programs, supports and partnerships.”

Before coming to Brightpoint, Dr. Atkins-Brady served as the vice president of academic and student development at Camp Community College, located in southeast Virginia. Her previous positions include director of institutional research, planning and institutional effectiveness at Piedmont Virginia Community College and assistant director of research and evaluation at the Milton Hershey School. She holds a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in educational evaluation from University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in psychology from the College of William and Mary. 

“I am very excited to join the Trailblazers at Brightpoint Community College,” said Dr. Atkins-Brady.   “Brightpoint has a wonderful variety of programs and services for students, strong community partnerships, and caring faculty and staff who invest in students’ success every day. There is a great team here, and I look forward to opportunities we’ll pursue together.” 

Dr. Willoughby joins Brightpoint from Butler County Community College, located in northwest Pennsylvania, where he was vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. His prior positions include director of advising services at Hunter College, director of academic achievement at Hostos Community College, and class dean at Columbia University. He holds a Doctor of Education and a Master of Arts in higher education from Columbia University, a Master of Arts in Hispanic Civilization from New York University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies from Connecticut College.

“I am thrilled to join the Brightpoint Community College team,” said Dr. Willoughby. “The students are inspirational and the passion and dedication of the faculty and staff are remarkable. With so much good work to build upon the possibilities are endless!”

Brightpoint Community College, one of the largest institutions in the Virginia Community College System, envisions a success story for every student. Brightpoint offers students a high-quality, high-value education, with more than 80 majors that provide pathways to careers in in-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served 12,097 students during the 2023-24 academic year. It also assisted 4,200 learners through Community College Workforce Alliance, the shared workforce division of Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges.