The Cloud County Community College Board of Trustees extended an offer to Dr. Mark Smith to become the institution’s seventh president. The board voted unanimously to hire Smith at Tuesday night’s meeting, and he will begin work on February 1, 2017.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to have been selected to serve as the next president of Cloud County Community College,” Smith said. “Thank you to the Board of Trustees and everyone involved in the search process for the confidence you have shown in me. I am very excited to join a team of professional people who make a positive difference daily, and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the local community.”
Smith is currently the vice president for educational services at Temple College in Temple, Texas. At Temple, he also served as associate vice president for distance education, a position he held for four years. Prior to his tenure at Temple, he was Director of Student Affairs and Distance Learning at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Smith also served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force in various roles related to radio and computer systems.
Smith has a Ph.D. from Cappella University, and a bachelor’s and master’s in business administration from William Carey College. He also has three associates degrees – an AS in electronic systems technology and an AS in instruction of technology and military science from the Community College of the Air Force, and an AS in technology from Fort Steilacoom Community College (Pierce College.)
“The Board of Trustees believe Dr. Smith’s leadership experience makes him very qualified and capable to lead Cloud County Community College in our mission to prepare students to lead successful lives and enhance the vitality of our communities,” said Linda Richard, chair of the Board of Trustees.
Smith will replace Danette Toone, who announced her resignation in August. She has been president since July 2010.