Metropolitan Community College Chancellor to Retire

Metropolitan Community College (MCC) announced today that its chancellor, Mark James, plans to retire in June 2017. James joined the five-campus community college in 2009 and has been chancellor since 2010.

James is credited with leading MCC through one of its most difficult financial by instituting zero-based budgeting, restructuring debt and benefit options, outsourcing bookstore operations, restructuring the organization and building relationships with state appropriators and the governor. MCC has since been commended by the Higher Learning Commission for its extremely strong financial ratios.

Chancellor James said the timing of his decision makes sense for him and for MCC. “We have worked together through challenging times and made tough decisions,” he said, “I leave confident that MCC has the infrastructure, resources and processes to thrive and carry out its mission of preparing students, serving communities and creating opportunities.”

MCC Board of Trustees President, Trent Skaggs, said that James “has guided MCC to a solid financial foundation and surrounded himself with strong leaders that focus on student success.” He added, “On behalf of the entire MCC Board of Trustees, I want to thank him for his service and leadership and wish him the very best.”

The MCC board of trustees will begin the process of initiating a national  search for a new chancellor this January.