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FLAT ROCK, N.C. – This July, Blue Ridge Community College welcomes Ms. Cher M. Silvius as a new member to its Board of Trustees. Silvius joins the board to help drive the College’s mission, vision, and strategic goals toward workforce development and student success.
“We are honored to welcome our newest trustee and thankful for the commitment each member of our Board brings to Blue Ridge Community College,” said Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, Blue Ridge’s president. “Their leadership helps ensure we remain responsive to the needs of our students, employers, and communities while creating pathways to opportunity and supporting the continued growth of Western North Carolina.”
Silvius will serve a four-year term through June 30, 2030, appointed by North Carolina’s Senate president pro tempore. She was sworn in to her role on July 10 with the Henderson County clerk of court, and she first attended Blue Ridge’s regular meeting of the Board of Trustees on July 13, 2026.
Cher Silvius is a retired homeschool educator and radiologic technologist with experience in trauma care, clinical practice, and as a traveling medical assistant and radiologic technologist for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) conducted by Westat Inc. She holds a degree and certificate in radiology from Gannon University.
She and her husband Michael have four children and three grandchildren. For more than 20 years, they have owned and managed rental properties and renovated homes together. Silvius has devoted much of her time to serving her community through homeschool education, church ministries, hospitality initiatives, political activities, and other volunteer service. She brings a strong record of community leadership and service to the Board of Trustees.
Honoring Outgoing Member Vivian A. Bolaños
The July 13 meeting also included a special recognition of outgoing Trustee Vivian A. Bolaños, who was appointed by the governor of North Carolina in 2018 and served two full terms, completing eight years on the Board of Trustees.
“Vivian has been a tireless advocate for Blue Ridge and our community, exemplifying the generosity and belief in our mission that we value so deeply,” Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood said during the meeting. “We are profoundly grateful for all she has done.”
During her tenure, Bolaños served on the Facilities, Finance, Executive, Nominating, and President’s Evaluation committees. She continues to serve Blue Ridge as a member of the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors.