Vicky Wood, Ph.D.

Leadership Focused on Strengthening People, Transforming Lives, and Building the Future

Dr. Vicky Wood believes the strength of a college is measured by the success of its people—students who turn education into meaningful careers, employees who grow as professionals and leaders, and communities strengthened by the talent the college develops. As president of Trident Technical College, she is focused on building an innovative, high-performing institution where employees are empowered to lead, ideas become action, and every student has a clear pathway from education to opportunity. Her leadership is grounded in the conviction that when colleges invest in their people, embrace change and align education with the needs of the workforce, they create opportunities that can transform generations. At TTC, that means strengthening the college for the future while creating a culture where employees can grow, students can thrive, and individuals can turn their career dreams into reality.

A First-Generation Student Who Believes in the Power of Opportunity

Dr. Vicky Wood’s commitment to student success is deeply personal. As a first-generation college student who began her own educational journey at a technical college, she understands how access to education can change the trajectory of a life. That experience shaped her belief that colleges must do more than provide an education—they must help students see what is possible, navigate barriers, and connect their education to meaningful careers and greater opportunity. Her journey from a community college student to a college president continues to inspire her commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity, support and encouragement to achieve their goals.

A Leadership Philosophy Centered on People and Purpose

Dr. Wood believes that strong institutions are built through collaboration, trust and a shared commitment to student success. Her leadership style emphasizes listening, empowering employees, fostering innovation, and creating an environment where students and employees can thrive. She is committed to developing future leaders, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that every decision supports the college's mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities. By bringing people together around a common purpose, she strives to cultivate a culture where ideas are valued, excellence is expected, and success is shared.

Strengthening TTC for the Future

Under Dr. Wood’s leadership, Trident Technical College is focused on becoming an even stronger, more innovative and responsive institution—one that creates clear pathways from education to careers while serving as a catalyst for the region’s economic future. Priorities include increasing student enrollment and completion, strengthening the student experience, expanding flexible learning opportunities, investing in employees, deepening partnerships with business and industry, and aligning programs with evolving workforce needs. Through innovation, collaboration and a relentless focus on student success, Dr. Wood is committed to ensuring that TTC provides every student with the opportunity to discover their potential, achieve their career aspirations and build a better future for themselves and their families.

Strategic Priorities for the Future

Under Dr. Wood's leadership, Trident Technical College is focused on expanding access to education, increasing student completion, and strengthening workforce pathways that support the region's economic growth. Strategic priorities include increasing student enrollment and completion, strengthening the student experience, expanding flexible learning opportunities, investing in employees, deepening partnerships with business and advancing innovation across the college. Through innovation, collaboration, and a relentless focus on student success, Dr. Wood is committed to ensuring that TTC provides every student with the opportunity to discover their potential, achieve their career aspirations, and build a better future for themselves and their families.

More about Dr. Wood

Dr. Vicky Wood serves as the 6th president of Trident Technical College. She began her career at the two-year, multi-campus community college on July 1, 2024. 
Dr. Wood has more than 35 years of higher educational experience in various academic, student services, and leadership roles. Her vision, forward-thinking leadership  and execution of strategy resonate throughout the institutions where she has served.

Prior to joining Trident Technical College, Dr. Wood was president of Washington State College of Ohio in Marietta, Ohio, a position she held since 2017. She implemented entrepreneurial approaches to deliver instruction and student support, creating a culture of innovation and excellence.

Specifically, Dr. Wood led WSCO through a mission transformation from a community college to a baccalaureate degree-granting institution and name change. She strengthened academics by adding multiple programs and attracted investments of millions of dollars in facility and technology upgrades to support student learning. She created services that allowed students to explore career and academic interests, connect with faculty and peers, and develop financial plans to pay for college. Additionally, she created a center for student success that provided holistic support from inquiry to job placement.

Through the development of new revenue sources and philanthropy, Dr. Wood increased both the WSCO Foundation and college’s financial positions. Her political advocacy helped implement a state policy change that enabled Ohio community colleges to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). WSCO was one of the first Ohio community colleges to offer the BSN.

In addition, Dr. Wood helped strengthen the community through leadership and service to support economic development. She was a member of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority economic development board, Frontier Local Economic Development Association, Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce board and Marietta Noon Rotary. Her state and national engagement includes serving as vice chair elect of the Ohio Community College Presidents’ Council, advisory board and coach for the Ohio Association of Community College’s Leadership Academy, member of the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement’s Rural Guided Pathways Initiative, and advisory board for the Aspen Presidential Fellowship.

Formerly, Wood served as provost and vice president of academic affairs and student services at Marion Technical College. She is a first-generation technical college graduate who holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from The University of Toledo, a master’s in education from Bowling Green State University, a bachelor’s in business education from Ashland University, and an associate in business from Marion Technical College. She and her husband, Rodney, have three children and three grandchildren.