From 1998 until 2001, as the president of Northern Virginia
Community College, the Honorable Belle S. Wheelan wowed students, faculty,
staff and supporters of the College with her intelligence, quick wit and
innovative ideas.
Dr. Wheelan was introduced to the rest of the Commonwealth
of Virginia in December 2001, when she was appointed to Virginia Governor
Mark Warner's cabinet as secretary of education. She is the first African-American
female to serve in this capacity.
Dr. Wheelan received a bachelor of arts degree from
Trinity University with a double major in psychology and sociology. She
later enrolled in Louisiana State University and received a master of
arts degree in developmental/educational psychology. In 1984, Dr. Wheelan
earned a doctoral degree in educational administration from the University
of Texas.
Dr. Wheelan has served in leadership positions at four Virginia
community colleges: dean of student services at Thomas Nelson Community College;
the provost of the Portsmouth Campus of Tidewater Community College; president
of Central Virginia Community College; and president of Northern Virginia Community
College, the second largest community college in the nation. She was the first
African-American female to serve as president of a two- or four-year public
institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"We are Americans,
and the word 'American'
ends in the letters I-C-A-N"
Dr. Wheelan holds memberships in numerous state and national
organizations, including the Presidents' Round Table of the National Council
on Black American Affairs and the Government Affairs Committee of the American
Council of Education. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Northern
Virginia Family Services, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Virginians for
the Arts, Women's Forum of D.C. and the Virginia Tech College of Engineering
Advisory Board. Also, Dr. Wheelan was named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful
Women in Washington.
Dr. Wheelan attributes her success to prayer, hard work, endurance,
tenacity, support from family and friends, and being in the right place at the
right time. To future collegians, Dr. Wheelan says, "Remember that we are
each Americans, and the word 'American' ends in the letters I-C-A-N or 'I can.'
With determination and support, each can do anything."
