Contact: Ann Hatch
214-378-1819;
ahatch@dcccd.edu
For immediate release — Feb. 22, 2016
Dr. Jennifer Wimbish
(DALLAS) — Thirteen years ago, when Dr. Jennifer Wimbish set foot on the campus of Cedar Valley College as its new president, increasing enrollment and becoming an integral partner in the community were only two of many goals and challenges she had in mind. The creation of three early college high schools was yet to come, as well as the college’s designation as “First in the World” for its chapter of the national academic honorary for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa, among many other achievements.
While the development of a strategic plan definitely was on her mind, Wimbish also knew that Cedar Valley needed new facilities, specialized programs and exceptional teaching and learning experiences in order for students to succeed. And although the face of the college had changed, she was reminded of the days she had spent as coordinator at CVC’s Women’s Center, where she had managed grants and coordinated programs, plus the delivery of academic and counseling support services for returning adult women students.
She said then, “I have two key passions: students and partnerships — specifically, those connected with the community and workforce development.”
More than a decade later, those dreams have been realized.
Decision to Retire
In February, Wimbish — Cedar Valley’s first African-American president — announced her plans to retire on Aug. 31, 2016. She told the Cedar Valley College family, “It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve as the president of Cedar Valley College for 13 years.”
She added, “On reflection, I am proud, as a result of the actions we have taken together, that our college has grown; that learning and student success have remained a major focus, allowing numerous students to be prepared for living and learning in a dynamic world; that our completion and graduation rates have increased significantly; and that we have advanced an agenda which has allowed our college to be recognized as a ‘premier college, transforming lives.’”
Under Dr. Wimbish's tenure, Cedar Valley College constructed two state-of-the-art facilities, one of which is gold LEED Certified and has received an architectural design award for sustainability.
Wimbish, who will collaborate with her college teams to ensure that Cedar Valley remains a premier college, also will work with Dr. Joe May, DCCCD’s chancellor, to ensure that a good transition plan is in place for the next president.
May informed the DCCCD board of trustees about Wimbish’s retirement during its February meeting. He also shared the information with the district’s employees and said, “On behalf of the entire district, I want to thank Dr. Jennifer Wimbish for her outstanding service and tireless dedication to Cedar Valley College for 13 years. She leaves a legacy of leadership and service to higher education, Cedar Valley College and our district.”
He added, “She’s staying with us through the end of August, so we will have many opportunities in the days ahead to honor her and thank her for her service to DCCCD, Cedar Valley and the community.”
Wimbish said, in a campuswide message, “I am thankful that we have worked together over the years to impact lives as we strengthened the communities that we serve. As is often said, we have truly ‘blossomed where we have been planted.’ As I reflected on our time together, I am proud that our teamwork resulted in many accomplishments.”
A Look Back
The retiring president noted college accomplishments:
- Establishment of a data-driven strategic plan and an integrated mission and vision that have served as a solid foundation for the work of our college.
- Reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that our college remains accredited.
- Leadership for the district’s Texas Completes Program, resulting in our national recognition by various organizations as a premier college with an outstanding student success record, including continuous growth, strong completion and graduation rates, and continuous student success on licensure exams for CVC programs.
- Designation of CVC’s PTK chapter as “First in the World” in 2014.
- Recognition of CVC athletes by the NJCAA for consistently maintaining the highest GPAs in the region.
- Continuation of exceptional teaching and learning experiences for students by our faculty, as evident in one faculty member’s recent national teaching excellence award from the Association of Community College Trustees.
- Continuation of the college’s performing arts programs as a “Center of Excellence.”
- Continuation of our veterinary technology program as a “Center of Excellence,” which includes a recent successful conversion from a continuing education program to a credit program.
- Development of three early college high schools, two of which have received national awards and recognition.
- Construction of two state-of-the-art facilities — one of which is gold LEED Certified, which has received an architectural design award for sustainability — as well as the establishment of a state-of-the-art tutoring facility and program, plus a commemorative garden that celebrates the lives of those people who made significant contributions to our college.
- Establishment of sustainability as a “Center of Excellence” with integration and transcription of sustainable components in many courses. Add the recent advancement of a new outdoor environmental learning lab as well, plus the development of a “quality of life” program.
- Designation as a “military-friendly college,” with a newly renovated facility that allows growth and an increase in services to veterans.
- Establishment of community relationships which have allowed our college to develop partnerships that are critical to economic and workforce development and also to secure financial support that is connected to the mission and vision of Cedar Valley College.
- Award of a $2.4 million PBI (Predominantly Black Serving Institution) grant that is connected to STEM Center pathways.
- Promotion of a Student Ambassadors organization that is critical to student recruitment efforts.
- Use of cutting-edge technology for teaching and learning, including a personalized ALEKS program in the mathematics department, an online tutoring system, a growing online Ready-2-Go program and an e-Advising and case management system.
Cedar Valley College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) was designated "First in the World" in 2014. Dr. Wimbish will be honored by PTK with a lifetime achievement award for her support of the organization.
A Move Toward the Future
In addition to her work as president of Cedar Valley College, Wimbish also has been involved at the national level in a number of higher education organizations, including the Presidents’ Round Table, a national network of African American community college CEOs; Phi Theta Kappa; and Best Southwest Partnership (as a past member of its board of directors). She was a signatory of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007 and received the Administrator of the Year Award from Minority Access in 2013 for her efforts to improve the recruitment, retention and enhancement of minorities.
Wimbish also will receive the prestigious 2016 Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award from PTK, which recognizes retiring college presidents, chief executive officers and state community college directors for the outstanding support they have provided to PTK over many years.
Before joining Cedar Valley (the second time), Wimbish had served as chief academic officer and interim provost at Lansing (Mich.) Community College as well as dean of the student and academic support division. She previously was dean of student support services at Brookhaven College and dean of the school’s human development division; director of the Counseling Center; and a faculty counselor. She began her career in education as both an instructor and guidance counselor with the Corpus Christi Independent School District before she joined Vernon Regional Junior College in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Wimbish holds a doctorate in higher adult and lifelong education from Michigan State University; a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Texas A&M University-Kingsville; and a bachelor’s degree in history education from Hampton University (Va.).
A national search will be conducted to fill the president’s position at Cedar Valley College. Information will be posted on the DCCCD website in March, and applicants are encouraged to apply by Friday, April 15.
For more information about Wimbish’s departure, contact Henry Martinez, director of marketing at Cedar Valley College, at 972-860-8142 or at
hmartinez@dcccd.edu.
For more information about the search, contact Ann Hatch in the DCCCD office of public and governmental affairs at 214-378-1819 or at
ahatch@dcccd.edu; or Susan Hall, DCCCD’s chief talent officer, at 214-378-1609 or at
shall@dcccd.edu.
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