Jackson State Community College Presidential Search Advisory Committee appointed, Public forum set for May 16

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The Search Advisory Committee leading the Tennessee Board of Regents' search for the next president of Jackson State Community College has been appointed and will meet for its orientation session and a public forum Tuesday, May 16.

Regent Mark George will chair the Jackson State search committee, and Regents Nisha Powers, Emily J. Reynolds and Kyle Spurgeon will also serve as committee members. The committee also includes representatives of the college’s faculty, staff, students and alumni, and business and industry leaders.  The full list of search committee members is below.

The virtual forum, which provides the public and campus community an overview of the search process, is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT at this Zoom link: https://academic-search.zoom.us/j/85214495682?pwd=UGdGU1lBY05NNGZ0QldTZnlTbkd6UT09&from=addon
Meeting ID: 852 1449 5682
Passcode: 360362

Anyone needing assistance may contact:

The committee will review applicants and nominees for the next president and recommend finalists. The finalists will be announced and introduced to the community in campus meetings and public forums. Afterward, TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings will conduct final interviews and review input from the campus community and the public to select one candidate for recommendation to the Board of Regents, which will appoint the president.

Dr. George Pimentel has announced plans to retire as president effective June 30, 2023. Chancellor Flora W. Tydings has appointed Dr. Kimberly McCormick, TBR's executive vice chancellor for external affairs, to serve as interim president.

The Board of Regents approved criteria for the next president during a special called board meeting April 27th. The Board invites applications and nominations for the position by June 9 and it is anticipated that the President will be selected prior to September 30, 2023. Full details – including the presidential criteria, how to apply and submit nominations, and information about the college – are posted on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu/hr/executivesearches/president-jackson-state-cc.

 Academic Search Inc., an education executive search and consulting firm, is assisting.

Jackson State Community College (Jackson State) is a comprehensive, two-year postsecondary institution located in Jackson, Tennessee. As an Achieving the Dream college committed to student success, Jackson State meets the educational needs of the people it serves in 14 counties in southwest Tennessee. Jackson State enrolls approximately 3,500 credit-seeking students each fall. The college employs over 200 full-time employees, including roughly 90 full-time faculty members.

Members of the Search Advisory Committee:

  • Mark George, Chair
    Member, Tennessee Board of Regents 
  • Emily J. Reynolds
    Vice Chair, Tennessee Board of Regents
  • Nisha Powers
    Member, Tennessee Board of Regents 
  • Kyle Spurgeon
    Member, Tennessee Board of Regents 
  • Dr. Liz Mayo
    Professor of English 
    Faculty Representative 
  • Carla Simpson
    Associate Professor, Medical Laboratory Technician Program
    Faculty Representative 
  • Elizabeth Barrow
    Student Representative 
  • Ellie Pugh 
    Student Representative
  • Tim Dellinger 
    Vice President of Financial and Administrative Affairs
    Administrative Representative
  • Vicki Burton
    Human Resources Coordinator
    Support Staff Representative 
  • Janet Ayers 
    The Ayers Foundation 
    Business Community Representative  
  • Vicki Bunch
    Chief Workforce Development Officer, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce
    Business Community Representative  
  • Andrew S. Bianco
    N.A. Manager Learning & Development, Ford Motor Company
    Business Community Representative  
  • Dr. Phillip Cavalier
    Interim Chancellor, UT Martin 
  • Cary Vaughn 
    CEO and President, Love Worth Finding Ministries, Inc.
    Trustee, Jackson State Foundation
  • Heath McMillian
    Interim President, TCAT Jackson

The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 140,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

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