FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
T. Richard Litton, Jr.
Access College Foundation Board Chair
757.472.4249 | richard@harborg.com
March 17, 2025 |Norfolk, Virginia
After 37 years of purposeful, single-hearted, and dedicated service, Bonnie Sutton, President and CEO of Access College Foundation, will retire at the end of June 2025. Effective July 1, Access will welcome Damon Jiggetts as its new President and CEO.
For nearly four decades, Bonnie Sutton has been a driving force behind Access College Foundation’s mission, impacting the lives of more than 90,000 students from low and moderate-income families by providing them with the resources, guidance, and financial support needed to pursue higher education. Under her leadership, the organization has secured over $900 million in financial aid and scholarships and awarded more than $16 million in Access “Last-Dollar” scholarships to deserving students.
Reflecting on Sutton’s legacy, T. Richard Litton, Jr., Chair of the Access College Foundation Board of Directors, expressed deep gratitude for her service. “Bonnie Sutton has been an extraordinary leader whose passion and dedication have transformed countless lives. Her unwavering commitment to Access has created opportunities for tens of thousands of students to achieve their educational dreams. We are profoundly grateful for her years of service and leadership.”
As Access College Foundation enters its next chapter, the Access Foundation Board is pleased to welcome Damon Jiggetts as its new President and CEO. Jiggetts brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership and youth development, most recently serving as CEO of the Henrico Education Foundation. Prior to HEF, he spent over a decade as Executive Director of Peter Paul, where he and his team of educators and community development professionals served children, families, and community members in the east end of Richmond, expanding Peter Paul’s footprint from one to six locations and exponentially increasing the organization’s impact on the community. His professional background includes leadership roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond and Roanoke Valley, as well as Communities In Schools of Richmond.
Jiggetts’ career highlights have been defined by his commitment to removing barriers to education and ensuring opportunities are available for all students. His experience in strategic leadership, organizational growth, and community partnerships makes him an ideal choice to lead Access into the future.
“Damon Jiggetts is a dynamic leader whose passion for education and student success aligns perfectly with the mission of Access College Foundation,” said Litton. “We are confident that under his leadership, Access will continue to expand its impact and empower students to achieve their highest potential.”
As Access College Foundation prepares for this transition, the organization remains committed to its mission of helping students access and succeed in higher education, ensuring a brighter future for the Hampton Roads community.
For more information about Access College Foundation and its programs, visit www.accesscollege.org.
Access College Foundation
Since 1988, Access has helped more than 90,000 students from low to moderate-income families enroll in a certification or degree program while leveraging over $900 million in financial aid and scholarships. Additionally, Access has awarded more than $16 million in Access “Last-Dollar” Scholarships to students, helping to make their educational paths possible. For nearly 37 years, Access has proven that through guidance, mentorship, and financial assistance, Hampton Roads’ brightest students can achieve their educational dreams – regardless of their background.
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Click here to download a PDF of the release.
Click here to download Damon Jiggetts’ photo.
