RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - After seven years on the job, Scott Ralls is leaving North Carolina for the top  job at Northern Virginia Community College. He's served as president of the state Community College System since 2009 and begins the new job this fall.

Ralls previously was president of Craven Community College.

“North Carolina has benefited greatly from Scott’s leadership and passion for community colleges,” said Gov. Pat McCrory in a statement. “He has been an extremely valuable partner in our efforts to prepare the next generation with the skills they will need to compete for jobs and careers. But I understand his love of returning to a campus after he served as President of Craven Community College in New Bern. I wish him well in his new endeavor and I am grateful for his service to the people of North Carolina.”

The state system serves roughly 300,000 students enrolled in traditional daytime curriculum, as well as roughly half a million enrolled in workforce development and training classes.