The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) invites applications and nominations for the position of President of Cleveland State Community College (CLSCC). Situated in scenic southeast Tennessee, 30 miles northeast of Chattanooga, Cleveland is surrounded by natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. The President is the chief executive officer of the College and reports to the TBR through the Chancellor. Cleveland State is an accredited public community college committed to quality education. The College employs approximately 200 full-time employees and enrolls more than 3,100 credit-seeking students and an additional 1,500 non-credit students each fall. For more than 58 years, Cleveland State has focused on responsive delivery of the highest quality education and training at the lowest possible cost in support of workforce development, liberal arts transfer, and cultural enrichment.
Additional information can be found at the college's website: clevelandstatecc.edu
Virtual Public Forum with Academic Search, Inc.
The Search Advisory Committee leading the Tennessee Board of Regents' search for the next president of Cleveland State Community College
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
10 a.m. ET
To join the forum, use the following Zoom link, meeting ID and passcode
https://academic-search.zoom.us/j/83021725062?pwd=n8mkFqqj2apW08eycPcbsga3PDpU2u.1&from=addon
Meeting ID: 830 2172 5062
Passcode: 075937
Anyone needing assistance with the Zoom meeting may contact Casi Hodges at chodges@clevelandstatecc.edu or (423) 478-6200
HOW TO APPLY
The search for Cleveland State Community College’s next President is being assisted by Academic Search, Inc.
Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to ClevelandStatePres@academicsearch.org
Materials received by March 10, 2026, can be assured full consideration by the search committee.
The next President is expected to be selected and appointed prior to June 1, 2026.
The application should consist of a substantive cover letter addressing the desired qualifications, experiences and attributes listed in this profile. In addition, the application should include a curriculum vitae and a list of five professional references, with full contact information and a description of your working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate.
Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting:
Dr. Gwendolyn G. Joseph - Senior Consultant
email: Gwen.Joseph@academicsearch.org
phone: (281) 889-9299
OR
Disa Mason - Consultant
Booking Link
The Community College System of Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity employer. Under state law, applicants may request that their application and related materials be confidential and not open for public inspection until such time the candidate is selected as a finalist for the position.
The successful candidate will be a dynamic, innovative, and energetic leader with the vision, skills, and integrity required to guide Cleveland State to higher levels of achievement.
Preferred criteria for selection include, but are not limited to the following qualifications and experience:
- An earned doctorate from an accredited institution (preferred);
- A distinguished record of teaching and experience in public higher education (preferred);
- A minimum of five years successful campus administrative experience at a level with significant decision-making responsibilities affecting an entire campus or as head of a major academic or administrative unit in an academic environment (preferred);
- A distinguished record of extensive senior level administrative experience in a complex business, industry, or government enterprise (preferred)
Expected criteria for selection include:
- A demonstrated commitment to serving students, faculty, and staff;
- A commitment to attracting traditional and nontraditional students into transfer programs as well as workforce programs (AAS/certificates/diplomas) and promoting approaches to enhance their opportunities for success;
- An understanding of and commitment to enhancing student success through focused efforts on retention, persistence, and completion;
- A demonstrated strength in human relations, communications, planning, financial management, budgeting, and organizational skills to lead and inspire internal and external constituencies of the college;
- Demonstrated ability of being able to lead an institution that is comprised of diverse unique campuses that meet specific needs in the communities served, recognizing the educational requirements in each community and aligning resources and support to achieve those needs;
- A demonstrated background and understanding of and commitment to private fundraising;
- An understanding of regional workforce education and training needs and how to strategically position Cleveland State in a highly competitive postsecondary education marketplace;
- An understanding of and commitment to the role of Cleveland State and the community as a part of a higher education system;
- An understanding of the needs and concerns of the public and private constituencies of the college, as well as of the college community, including students, faculty and staff, alumni, and other college supporters.