The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees voted today to hire DrElaine Collins as the next president of Johnson State College.DrCollins is currently Dean and Chief Operating Officer of the College of Education at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. Prior to that, Collins served as Vice President of Arts and Sciences at West Shore Community College, and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. A first generation college student, DrCollins holds a PhDin Education Policy and Leadership.
DrElaine Collins,Grand Valley State University Photo.
During her time at Grand Valley State University, Collins strengthened academic programs, galvanized faculty, increased financial support, improved the physical plant, embraced a more inclusive vision of shared governance, and expanded external programs. She is an award winning administrator and researcher whose interests focus on arts and education. Please see theJohnson State College Presidential Search websitefor a complete biography.
VSC Chancellor Jeb Spaulding said, “DrCollins will bring strong leadership, vision, and administrative skills to Johnson State College. She recognizes the importance of the college to meeting the diverse needs of our students, as well as to Vermont’s economy and our regional community. Just as importantly, she has demonstrated the fortitude to implement innovative strategies to strengthen student recruitment and retention, and to achieve operational efficiencies. Throughout the search process the Johnson State College community engaged in a lively conversation about its future. On behalf of the Vermont State College community, I welcome DrCollins and look forward to our work together on behalf of our students and our State.”
Johnson State College President Barbara EMurphy announced she will retire from her position onJune 30, 2015. President Murphy will end a 32-year career in Vermont higher education, having served as Johnson State’s president for the past 14 years. Murphy took leadership of JSC in 2001 after serving as the president of the Community College of Vermont from 1994 to 2001.
Johnson State College began as a teachers’college in 1866, and education remains one of the college’s flagship degree programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Today JSC offers more than 50 academic programs, including a variety of teaching endorsement options, as well as three master’s degrees and a statewide bachelor’s-degree completion program for adults with at least 60 college credits.
The Vermont State Colleges include Castleton State College, the Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College, and Vermont Technical College. The VSC currently serves over 12,000 students, including more than 10,000 Vermonters. In addition, it offers programs for high school students, business and industry, and returning students throughout the state. For more information, please visitwww.vsc.edu.
Source:Vermont State Colleges. 2.12.2015