Governing Board

Dr. Lou Fincher - Chair

Dr. Lou Fincher is the senior vice president of Emory and Henry College and founding
Dean of the School of Health Sciences. Dr. Fincher serves as the chief academic officer
for the E&H Health Sciences Campus in Marion, VA, while providing administrative
oversight for the institution’s online and adult education initiatives and research
compliance. She has overseen the development of four graduate health science programs
and the renovation of the former Smyth County Community Hospital to serve as the
home for the School of Health Sciences and School of Nursing. Dr. Fincher has 40 years
of teaching and healthcare experience and over 28 years of administrative and leadership
experience. Dr. Fincher earned her B.S. in Education from Stephen F. Austin University,
her M.S. Ed. from Indiana State University, and her Doctor of Education in Human
Performance Studies from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Dennis Carter - Vice Chair

Dr. Dennis Carter is the superintendent for the Smyth County Public Schools. Dr.
Carter is a life-long educator in Smyth County. He began his career as a special
education instructional assistant and has been promoted through the ranks to special
education teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of curriculum of instruction,
assistant superintendent, and has served as superintendent since 2017. He shares his
expertise with others as an adjunct instructor of education for Virginia Tech, the
University of Virginia, and Emory and Henry College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in
Interdisciplinary English from Emory and Henry College, a Special Education certificate
from the University of Virginia, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and
Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, with a concentration in school improvement and
turnaround.

Governing Board - Voting Members

Dr. Keith Perrigan is in his first year as superintendent of Washington County Public Schools. He has served in the same role in Norton City Schools and Bristol Virginia Public Schools. Dr. Perrigan is a voice for public education in Southwest Virginia through his position as founder and President of the Coalition of Small and Rural Schools of Virginia. Keith Perrigan was named Region VII Superintendent of the Year in 2022. Dr. Perrigan holds a doctorate degree from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree from Radford University and a bachelor’s degree from University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

David Matlock serves as agency head and executive director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. He served Virginia Highlands Community College for 25 years in the roles of vice president, dean of students and as a counselor. Mr. Matlock earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Illinois University and his masters in counseling from East Tennessee State University.

Dr. Wesley Poole is superintendent for Wythe County Public Schools. He has served Wythe County Public Schools as a paraprofessional, classroom teacher, building principal, division-level director, assistant superintendent before becoming superintendent. He holds a doctorate degree from Virginia Tech, master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Radford University, and an associate’s degree from Wytheville Community College.

Dr. Michael Robinson is the Director of A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School. He holds a B.S. in mathematics education from Louisiana Tech University, a Master of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University, and a Ph. D. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia. He has previously served as superintendent and assistant superintendent of Smyth County Public Schools, assistant superintendent, middle school principal, and high school assistant principal in Orange County Public Schools, and a high school assistant principal and math teacher in Charlottesville City Schools.

Dr. Dean Sprinkle has served as President of Wytheville Community College since 2015. Before joining WCC, he served in several roles at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC, including senior vice president of instruction, vice president of instruction and student services, institutional effectiveness officer, and counselor. He holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro, a master’s in clinical psychology from Western Carolina University, bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University, and an associate degree from Lees McRae college.