Dr. J. Gregory “Greg” Hodges began his career as a third grade public school teacher, and had planned to stay in elementary education for the rest of his life. However, his career path took a turn and he soon became exposed to the higher education sphere.
Now, with more than 10 years of experience working in the field, the initial transition from elementary to postsecondary education “kind of just came to me,” Hodges said.
“A co-teacher on the same floor where I was working, was teaching an adjunct course at Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) and had a medical emergency at the very last minute, and asked me if I would mind stepping in for the evening and do a guest presentation to her class about classroom management, which had traditionally been one of my strengths,” Hodges said. “So I did, and as faith would have it, the supervising faculty member came in that evening to do an adjunct evaluation and happened to see me.”
After explaining why he was teaching the class to the supervising faculty member, Hodges said he ended up receiving a course request by the college.
“They asked [me] to teach a class, then a full time position became available and I applied for it and there you go.”
Born and raised in Ridgeway, Virginia – about a 10 minute drive to PHCC – Hodges earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching from the College of William and Mary, a master’s degree in biblical studies from Bethany Theological Seminary, a master’s degree in educational leadership and supervision at the University of Phoenix and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Trident University International.
Hodges has served in many roles since joining the PHCC faculty since 2004. He was the coordinator of the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaccreditation; assistant dean of Arts, Science and Business Technology; dean of Developmental Education and Transitional Programs; dean of Academic Success and College Transfer; and vice president of Institutional Advancement, Effectiveness and Campus Life.
