RICHMOND, VA – The head of the state's community college system is leaving that job -- to take a post with a Virginia institution.

System president Scott Rawls has been named as president of Northern Virginia Community College, which refers to itself as the largest educational institution in that state and second largest community college in the U.S. with 75,000 students with six campuses in the suburban Washington, DC area.

Rawls replaced Martin Lancaster as president of the 58 community college system in May, 2008. He also served at Craven Community College. There's no word yet on plans for replacing Rawls.

“I am extremely excited and feel greatly privileged to be joining the team at Northern Virginia Community College,” said Ralls. “NOVA is a national leader in its commitment to student success and plays an integral role in the workforce development it provides to support the region’s  vibrant economy. I look forward to working with the NOVA team and community to help build on  that great foundation.”

Before becoming vice president for economic and workforce development in North Carolina, Ralls served in other workforce positions for the North Carolina Community College System, as well as for the North Carolina Department of Commerce and for the U.S. Department of  Labor. He holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology  from the University of Maryland-College Park and a bachelor’s degree from the University of  North Carolina.