Job Description
This is a full-time, interim, exempt position that reports to the Board of Trustees and is located at the Quincy Campus in Quincy, Illinois with some travel across all JWCC locations and service district. The anticipated appointment of the Interim President is July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025.
John Wood Community College (JWCC) seeks a visionary, collaborative, and student-centered leader to serve as Interim President during a period of transition. The Interim President will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring institutional stability, and advancing the College’s mission, vision, and values. This individual will work closely with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and community partners to sustain academic excellence and operational effectiveness.
The Interim President serves as the acting chief executive officer of John Wood Community College and provides strategic leadership responsibility of overall administration and operations of the College while initiating, guiding, leading and directing all relevant components which are necessary to fulfill the mission of a comprehensive community college. The Interim President is responsible for performing those duties and responsibilities expected of public community college presidents in the State of Illinois, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and/or those additional duties and responsibilities, consistent with the position, determined or assigned by the Board of Trustees. The Interim President reports directly to the Board of Trustees performing all duties required by law, policies, regulations and directives from the Board.
JOHN WOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
John Wood Community College is the educational link between business and community in the West Central Illinois Region. JWCC collaboratively creates innovative and relevant academic and training programs with business leaders to educate people and the workforce for today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities. JWCC has centers in Quincy, Pittsfield, Baylis and Mt. Sterling, Illinois. Programs include a comprehensive baccalaureate transfer curriculum, customized business training, and career/technical degrees and certificates.
John Wood Community College is an educational leader in comprehensive community college education in West Central Illinois and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Established in 1974, the College’s main campus and administrative center is in Quincy, Illinois. The main campus opened in January 2002 and is located on 150-acres of beautiful, sprawling landscape. The College operates four branch campuses: the Workforce Development Center in Quincy, the Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield, the Agricultural Sciences Education Center in Baylis, and the Mt. Sterling Education Center in Mt. Sterling.
John Wood serves an average fall enrollment of 1,800 students across a nine-county area of Western Illinois. As a catalyst for innovation both on-campus and in the local community, John Wood Community College specializes in traditional education, workforce training, and professional development. The College is committed to student success and programmatic excellence based on the core values of excellence, accountability, integrity, servant leadership, and lifelong learning.
MISSION
John Wood Community College enriches lives through learning by providing accessible educational opportunities and services at exceptional value.
PHILOSOPHY
John Wood Community College is an open-admission, comprehensive, public community college that seeks to enhance the lives of those it serves by striving for academic excellence, integrity, accountability, and flexibility. Recognizing and respecting each person’s uniqueness, potential, and value, the College offers a variety of programs, curricula, and educational delivery systems and schedules to accommodate students’ requirements and different learning needs. Further, the College seeks to stimulate students’ intellectual, academic, personal, and social development as productive, engaged, and responsible citizens supporting the community.
ACCREDITATIONS
JWCC is accredited and recognized by the following organizations:
– The Higher Learning Commission
– North Central Association
– Illinois Community College Board
– Illinois Board of Higher Education
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervision/Leadership
- Provide college wide leadership to achieve the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the College.
- Responsible for the direction and development of instructional and student services; fiscal management; human resources management; technology; facilities; fundraising and community and government relations.
Budget Administration
- Responsible for the oversight of the College’s budget providing prudent budget management and advise the Board of Trustees of all reasonable sources of funds available to maintain and implement present or contemplate College programs and quality faculty and staff in relevant academic programs.
Strategic Planning
- Provide leadership for institutional planning and execution of the strategic plan and Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
- Establish College goals in keeping with Board of Trustee priorities and inform the Board of Trustees on progress of meeting goals and priorities. In doing so, ensure that Board policies are reviewed, followed, and developed as needed to meet the needs of the District and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Support ongoing strategic initiatives and prepare the College for a smooth transition to a permanent president.
Board, Employee, and Student Relations
- Build and maintain strong Board, employee, and student relationships.
- Provide advice to the Board of Trustees on all College situations and issues, maintain open communication in a collaborative environment with full transparency with the Board, and support and implement all Board decisions.
- Provide regular updates to the Board and College community to keep open communication with board members, employees, and students.
- Maintain a student-success centered focus in dealing with College related matters.
- Keep the Board of Trustees fully informed of important College matters in regard to personnel and student situation.
Board, Employee, and Student Relations (continued)
- Prepare recommendations/resolutions concerning the College and submit them to the Board of Trustees for approval.
- Maintain a strong, visible presence both on campus and in the community.
- Promote a culture of transparency, shared governance, and accountability.
Student Success
- Provide leadership with a focus on student success putting the needs of the students in mind when making decisions for the College.
- Maintain a focus on students by attending and supporting their events and activities.
- Support the development of updated, relevant curriculum to produce work ready students for the regional workforce.
- Uphold JWCC’s commitment to student success, workforce development, and equal access to all students.
Community Relations
- Represent the College through a visual presence in all areas of the District, promoting positive relationships and open communication with all constituencies.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with local schools, professional organizations, cultural group and businesses and legislators.
- Develop positive public relations for the District.
Community Growth
- Provide the leadership necessary to encourage economic development within the District community and develop the educational programs necessary to meet those challenges.
- Work toward producing greater inclusion on campus and in our community.
- Represent the College to appropriate local, regional, state, and federal agencies, exerting influence on community college policy development, provide for continued membership in relevant associations.
Compliance (HLC, ICCCB – Accreditation)
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations, including the timely filing of required reports.
- Stay informed of laws that affect the College and anticipate how changes might impact the College.
Professional and Leadership Development
- Encourage and support the value of faculty, staff, and student development.
- Oversee the timely evaluation of all employees in accordance with Illinois Law and Board Policy.
- Promote participatory governance that is accountable, with an inclusive management style, and promote collegial consultation.
- Demonstrate the necessary leadership to show an ongoing commitment to effective enrollment management at John Wood Community College.
Fundraising and Friend Raising
- Work with the Foundation to leverage greater support for the College by building relationships with supporters and future funding partners.
- Demonstrate leadership in creating greater opportunities for continue growth of the College’s Foundation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Master’s degree required; Doctorate preferred.
Experience:
- Significant senior-level administrative experience in higher education, preferably at a community college.
Preferred Experience:
- Previous experience as a college president or in an interim executive leadership role.
- Familiarity with Illinois community college systems and governance.
- Understanding of rural and regional community needs.
Skills & Competencies:
- Demonstrated ability to lead in times of change or transition.
- Strong financial acumen and understanding of community college funding.
- Effective communicator with a collaborative and transparent leadership style.
- Deep commitment to the mission of community colleges and student-centered education.
Working Conditions:
- Primarily office-based with travel required for recruitment, district, state, and national events.
- Evenings will be required to support students and faculty in evening classes and other campus-wide events. Some weekends may be required to support special events.
- Works in well-lit, ventilated office spaces, as well as across campus.
- Ability to sit, stand, bend, lift, and move intermittently throughout the workday.
- Subject to frequent interruptions and interaction with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
- Flexibility to work beyond regular hours, including weekends and holidays, when necessary.
- Participation in ongoing professional development to stay informed about trends in the field.
- Ability to manage the mental and emotional demands of the role.
Work Schedule:
- Full-time position with a typical schedule of Monday-Thursday (8am – 5pm) and Friday (8am – 12pm).
SALARY:
- This is an exempt position with an estimated annual salary of $150,000.00 – $200,000.00.
BENEFITS
JWCC offers a competitive benefits package!
- 36-hour work week, Friday’s get off work at noon!
- Earn 3.7 weeks of vacation in your first year!
- Sick Leave and Personal Leave.
- 14+ Paid Holidays!
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance; Only $5 per pay period for Employee Coverage!
- Wellness Program.
- College provided life and disability insurance!
- State University Retirement System.
- Tuition Reimbursement.
- JWCC Tuition Waiver for Employees + Dependents
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying for a job, please submit a request to hr@jwcc.edu.
