HIGHER EDUCATION ADVOCATE AND POLICY LEADER TO ADDRESS JSCC CURRICULUM GRADUATES
On Thursday, May 14, James Sprunt Community College (JSCC) will host its annual commencement exercises. The ceremonies will celebrate the accomplishments of JSCC graduates and mark an exciting milestone for students, faculty, staff, and families.
Laura Worley Novey will serve as the speaker for the Curriculum commencement ceremony. Novey is Senior Vice President at McGuireWoods Consulting, where she advises clients on policy and legislative matters with a strong focus on education issues at both the state and federal levels. McGuireWoods is nationally recognized for its work in litigation, investigations, corporate law, regulatory affairs, labor and employment, and public policy consulting.
With more than 27 years of public service experience, Novey has built an extensive career in education and government leadership. Her background includes leadership roles at both Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia, as well as serving as Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia. She also previously served as Deputy Secretary of Education and Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation, and Investment.
JSCC President Dr. Shannon Hair expressed his excitement about Novey addressing the graduating class. “We are honored to welcome the Honorable Laura Novey as our 2026 Curriculum commencement speaker. Throughout her distinguished career, she has been a strong advocate for higher education access, innovation, and student success. Her leadership and passion for education will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they prepare for the next chapter of their journey,” Hair said.
Vice President of Student Services Dr. Shakeena White also shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming ceremony. “Ms. Novey is a highly respected leader in higher education policy whose work has impacted students and institutions across multiple levels. We are excited for our graduates to hear her message and celebrate this important achievement together,” White said.
James Sprunt Community College looks forward to honoring the Class of 2026 and celebrating the hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments of its graduates during this special occasion.
