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Kendra S . Boggess , Ph . D .
President , Concord University
ANNA MOORE
Photo by Concord University and Amodeo Photography / April Amodeo .
ENCOURAGED BY HER MOTHER to complete a college degree , Kendra Boggess did more than that — she became the 12th president of Concord University in Athens , WV . As a woman and first-generation college graduate , Boggess defied the odds and expectations of her generation .
“ When I asked my parents what I could be when I grew up , as did many women in my generation , the options were limited ,” says Boggess . “ I understood that I could be a teacher , a nurse , a secretary or a wife and mother .”
While some higher education leaders have straight and narrow paths to the top , Boggess paved her own way , which led her from Florida , where she grew up , to West Virginia , where she has lived for 45 years and calls home .
Her first job was selling popcorn , soda and snacks at a movie theater for 75 cents an hour .
“ I learned that customer service was very important , being on time was essential and keeping the workplace tidy was a big part of the job ,” she says .
With these skills , the makings of a college president were underway . After working for her parents ’ gourmet food
98 WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE