Jeremy Thomas is slated to become the next president of Black Hawk College, the community college district’s board of trustees announced Friday, April 28.
Mr. Thomas will succeed current President Tim Wynes upon his retirement in June.
Mr. Thomas currently serves as provost at Oklahoma City Community College and has nearly a quarter of a century of experience in various leadership positions in higher education, according to his resume.
He is expected to complete an orientation period at the Quad Cities campus beginning Thursday, June 1, and assume the duties of the office on Monday, June 12, according to a news release from the college.
“Dr. Thomas has an impressive leadership background in higher education within a multi-campus environment with demonstrated results of growing enrollment, strengthening academic programs and nurturing strategic partnerships,” Fritz Larsen, chair of the Black Hawk College Board of Trustees, said in the release.
“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Thomas to Black Hawk College and to the area,” he added.
Mr. Thomas said: “I am excited and honored to join the Black Hawk family. The college has a rich history with tremendous potential. I appreciate the board’s confidence in choosing me to lead the institution.”
The college worked with the Pauly Group of Springfield, Illinois, to conduct the nationwide search. The Presidential Search Committee consisted of faculty, staff and community members screened candidates and brought three finalists forward.
“Dr. Thomas brings 24 years of experience as an administrator and instructor and is exceptionally qualified for this opportunity,” Mr. Larsen said in the release announcing the new president.
Mr. Thomas was one of three finalists vetted by the search committee. The other two leaders considered to replace Mr. Wynes were: Todd Brand, chief academic officer at Ashland Community & Technical College in Ashland, Kentucky; and Sedgwick Harris, vice president of administrative affairs, Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Wynes took the helm at Black Hawk College in July 2018. A graduate of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, holds a Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law and has completed graduate coursework in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Iowa State University. He practiced law before taking on community college leadership positions, including at Black Hawk College where he led comprehensive planning efforts and a major multi-million renovation of the campus.
