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BRCC Foundation announces new director

Trina Stokes

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 27, 2023

Blue Ridge Community College announced that it has welcomed Trina Stokes as the new executive director of the college’s Educational Foundation.

Stokes will assume the role in July, leading the philanthropic organization that contributed more than $1.2 million in Brighter Futures ‘Free College’ scholarships and more than $1.1 million in other scholarships and program support during the 2022-23 academic year.

“We are privileged to welcome Trina Stokes to our Blue Ridge family, and we know her wealth of higher education and nonprofit experience will serve our Foundation, students and community well,” said Jim Rasmussen, president of the Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Blue Ridge Community College’s Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the students, faculty, and programs of Blue Ridge Community College. Under the direction of its volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation assists the College in its work to transform lives through education and strengthen the workforce.

​​“Joining the team at Blue Ridge Community College allows me the opportunity to combine my passion for higher education with my desire to advance philanthropy and collaborations in our community,” Stokes said. “Blue Ridge has a clear vision for the future and makes a generational impact on individuals, families and businesses throughout Western North Carolina and beyond. I look forward to continuing their legacy of empowering individuals to enrich our communities and build a competitive workforce.”

A Western North Carolina native, Stokes earned a bachelor of arts degree from UNC Asheville and a master of business administration degree from the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining Blue Ridge Community College, she previously held roles as the Foundation director of AdventHealth Hendersonville, the executive director of Henderson County’s Council on Aging and the executive director of South College. Stokes currently serves as chair of the board with Carolina Village Inc., as a member of the Henderson County Transportation Advisory Board and as a member of the Henderson County Partnership for Health. She formerly served as a board member with WNCSource. She lives with her husband and three children in Henderson County.