Academic Dean

Dave began his tenure as the President of Sauk Valley Community College in July of 2015.  He serves on the Board of the Council for the Study of Community Colleges, Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce/Main Street, KSB Hospital, KSB Foundation, Sauk Valley Community Leadership Program, Sterling Noon Rotary Club, and the Shaw Media Advisory Board.  In 2021, he was selected as the Dixon Citizen of the Year and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber Champion. Prior to coming to SVCC, he served 28 years as an administrator and as an English professor at community colleges in Florida, Minnesota, and Kentucky.  Dave has taught graduate courses in ethical leadership in Minnesota and Kentucky.  He is the editor of and contributing author for Ethical Leadership in Community Colleges: Bridging Theory and Daily Practice and the co-editor of Ethical Decision-making in Community Colleges: Not Losing Our Way, in which he and his wife Linda wrote a chapter on narcissistic leadership.  Dave earned his B.A. in English from DePauw University, his M.A. in American Literature from Indiana University, and his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida.  He and Linda, a clinical psychologist, have been married for more than 36 years; they are parents of three kind, intelligent, and beautiful adult daughters and have three wonderful grandchildren.  Dave is the fourth of eleven children and grew up in small-town Indiana.  He is a cyclist and a life-long Packer fan.

Dr. Paul R. Watson II serves as the Vice President for Instruction at Kellogg Community College. Prior to that appointment, he has served Pennsylvania College of Technology in multiple administrative roles, as a high school teacher in Jefferson, New York, and as an assistant professor of mathematics at Houghton College. 

With an outlook that systems-thinking effects positive change, Watson creates and supports leadership teams and communities that are bases for sustainable change. As a transformative leader, he excels in building relationships that allow for authenticity, transparency, and collaboration where one can exemplify the curiosity, inquiry skills, and scholarly competencies needed to investigate an idea and transform it into meaningful action. Additionally, rooted in the personal belief that all students can learn and can be successful, Watson’s emphasis on the learning paradigm provides a focused perspective on student success. He is committed to ensuring the academic and economic empowerment of diverse learners and their communities by developing authentic partnerships that ensure safe and equitable learning environments that promote belonging, active engagement, and student success. He regularly engages with students, faculty and staff – sharing a meal, attending performances or athletic events, participating in student orientations and leadership development programs, as well as intentionally making connections in hallways and offices. 

He has extensive experiences in higher education, and has successfully worked to provide intentional and innovative pathways for transfer, dual and concurrent enrollment, continuing education, workforce development, and career and technical education. Watson fully engages in fostering community connections as respected partners and has been recognized at the state-level for his work on chamber of commerce taskforces, civic organizations, and contributing towards multi-county economic development efforts. He has had the opportunity and experience in advocating at the local, regional, state, and national level for meaningful change in legislation that would positively affect his community, higher education, and students.  

Watson serves as a Higher Learning Commission Peer Reviewer, and serves on the Executive Board of the Council of Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges.  

Watson holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management from Drexel University, an M.S. in Teaching & Curriculum from the University of Rochester, an M.S. in Mathematics Education from Syracuse University, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Houghton College. 

A first-generation college student from a rural, working-class family, Laurie Chesley understands the transformative power of education first-hand.   Her entire career has been dedicated to helping other students have the same life-changing experience that she was fortunate to have.  It has been the honor and privilege of her life to serve this mission.  

Prior to becoming the sixth President of Central Oregon Community College, Chesley was the provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Grand Rapids (Michigan) Community College. She taught English at a variety of higher education institutions for 14 years, serving diverse student populations.  She has 20 years of administrative experience, including as interim dean of learning at Northwestern Michigan, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Ferris State (Michigan) University, dean of humanities at Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Community College, and then associate dean and dean of arts and sciences at Grand Rapids Community College, before becoming its vice president in 2015.

As the president of a community college – one of “democracy’s colleges” – that serves a diverse district spanning over 100,000 square miles, Chesley understands the importance of providing both the access and the supports needed by all learners who are seeking a better future – through enrichment courses, basic skills development, job training, certifications, degrees, or transfer to a four-year institution.  

Marnel Niles Goins is the Dean in the College of Sciences and Humanities at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. Prior to this appointment, she was Professor of Communication at California State University, Fresno for 12 years. She is a native of Philadelphia, PA. She earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Communication and Culture at Howard University in Washington, DC and her BA from the Department of Communication at Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL. She taught courses in Small Group Communication and Organizational Communication and has a special interest in gender and racial dynamics in organizational settings.

At Marymount, a number of new academic programs have been developed under Marnel’s leadership, including a graduate certificate program for Ethics and Leadership in Criminal Justice, which launched in the Fall 2021 semester, and a B.S. in Engineering. Also new is the 4+1 M.A. in English program, which enables students to earn a B.A. in Literature & Languages or Digital Writing & Narrative Design and a M.A. in English & Humanities over five years of study at Marymount. This program facilitates a student’s transition from a broad-based liberal arts B.A. into a flexible, customizable and interdisciplinary M.A. program that concludes with a thesis or an advanced internship practicum that addresses the student’s professional goals.

Marnel has several books, book chapters, and articles published in the Communication discipline She is co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Gender and Communication and Still Searching for Our Mothers’ Gardens: Experiences of New Tenure-Track Women of Color in ‘Majority’ Institutions. She has articles published in Communication Studies, Women & Language, and The Alliance of Black School Educators, in addition to book chapters published in Let’s Communicate and the Routledge Handbook of Applied Communication Research. She has presented papers and panels at a number of conferences, including the National Communication Association convention, Western States Communication Association convention, and Eastern Communication Association convention.

Marnel is President of the Western States Communication Association. She is the former President of the Organization for Research on Women and Communication, a former member of the National Communication Association’s Executive Committee,  past Chair of the National Communication Association’s Black Caucus, and former Secretary of the National Communication Association’s Group Communication Division. 

Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, President Emeritus for Cedar Valley College (CVC) of the Dallas College System, was the first African American President of the College.  She is the CEO of BW Success Strategies, Incorporated, a consulting firm focused on strategic planning, success coaching, and solutions connected to problem-solving.  Her leadership journey has included her serving as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Lansing Community College in Michigan; Dean of Students and Faculty Counselor at Brookhaven College in the Dallas, Texas area; and teacher and counselor within the public school system of Corpus Christi, Texas.  She is a member of the steering committee for the Texas Poor People’s Campaign, and a Co-Chair for the Dallas Affiliate Group.  Dr. Jennifer Wimbish is also a member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Dr. Wimbish has designed and taught leadership courses, presented at leadership conferences across the nation, and published a guide to student leadership.  Her recent book, Leadership Wisdom for All Generations, is being used for professional development across the nation with a variety of populations.    Recently, she has engaged in professional development for students, and college professionals relative to the topics of Multigenerational, Collaborative Learning, Equity in the Classroom, and   Pathways to Career Success. She is a member of the Presidents’ Roundtable, a national organization committed to training and mentoring individuals aspiring to become college presidents.  Dr. Wimbish is also active with her Church’s Outreach and Economic/Workforce Programs.   

Dr. Wimbish’s legacy includes a number of key accomplishments.  She is the founder of the Corpus Christi, Texas Black History Cultural Committee, an organization that more than forty years later continues to engage the community in historical, cultural, and equity related activities.    While in Michigan, as Provost of Lansing Community College, she was instrumental in uniting organizations to develop both transitional housing for homeless families and increase access to technology for underserved populations.   At CVC, she led the college to recognition as a military friendly campus, established several Early College High Schools, and initiated a Minority Male program to influence positively college youth.  The college’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter won the title of Most Distinguished Chapter in the world, contributing to Wimbish receiving its prestigious Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award.  Moreover, the college enrollment, completion and graduation rates increased significantly.  Dr. Wimbish’s dynamic leadership has been acknowledged through such awards as the National Role Model Award from Minority Access, Incorporated, and the Woman of the Year Award from the Dallas Women’s Council. 

 Her involvement in the Dallas community includes service with the Best Southwest Partnership and Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Boards, Methodist Hospital Citizens Advisory Group, and Head Start of Greater Dallas.

 Dr. Wimbish holds a Doctorate in Higher Adult and Lifelong Learning Education from Michigan State University, a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Texas A & M University in Kingsville, Texas, and a Bachelor’s Degree in History Education from Hampton University.  She is proudest of being a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother.

Dr. Ricky Shabazz is an enthusiastic, student-centered leader with over 20 years of executive experience advancing academic achievement, educational equity, diversity, and improving access to higher education. He is an effective public speaker and team builder with an accomplished track record developing collaborative partnerships that improve student success. He specializes in enrollment management and cultivating institutional policies, processes, and culture that provide personalized student experiences and improves student outcomes. Dr. Shabazz's demonstrated strengths include using data informed decisions to lead high impact models of practice, promoting innovative solutions that stimulate inclusive dialogue amongst all stakeholders, and being a passionate lifelong learner who is absolutely committed to the mission of community colleges to educate a diverse community of learners.

As San Diego City College's President and CEO, Dr. Shabazz provides executive leadership at one of the most innovative and socially active community colleges in the nation with a focus on student completion, success, and social justice. He has previously held positions as Vice President of Student Services, San Bernardino Valley College; Dean of Student Services, El Camino College Compton Center; Associate Director of Admissions, Harvey Mudd College; MESA Program Director and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of California, Davis (UCD); and Analyst in the University of California Office of the President.

Dr. Shabazz earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership, a master's degree in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and a bachelor's degree from UCD. His research expertise is in increasing college access for underrepresented students.

Dr. Shabazz was the first person in his family to attend college. His mother was a teenage parent and his father is a veteran. He takes pride in helping students from diverse communities achieve academic excellence and building highly effective teams. Dr. Shabazz serves on the boards of Sharp Hospitals, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, the Jackie Robinson YMCA, YPO Pacific West, A2MEND, The President's Round Table, and a host of other community agencies.

San Diego City College is an Aspen Institute Top 20 community college that is accredited by the ACCJC. City College is a Hispanic Serving Institution serving approximately 17,000 students in credit and noncredit programs. City College has nearly 1,000 employees and an annual budget of approximately $70 million.

Kenny Daugherty joined Myers McRae in 2008 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was named President in 2016. Identifying and attracting highly qualified, undeclared candidates to searches is one of his specialty. 

His ability to relate to search committees and candidates stems from his 28 years of managerial experience in public and independent institutions. Throughout his career in higher education, he had responsibilities that involved interdepartmental cooperation and personnel management at multiple levels. He became known for his ability to assess candidates, which resulted in his placement on numerous search committees for professional staff and administrators across the university community.

His career in higher education administration began at the University of Alabama, where Mr. Daugherty served in the areas of facilities, planning, and services for Housing and Residential Life. During his 11-year tenure at the state flagship institution, he designed and managed the facility planning process that included a seven-year plan for building renovations, projects, and new construction, as well as developed, implemented, and maintained a building audit system for housing facilities. As a University Total Quality Management Facilitator, he led TQM teams in the Housing and Recreation departments. With student services, he also served as a judicial officer for the university.

In 1996, he joined Mercer University as Assistant Vice President for Development, steadily progressing in leadership roles to Vice President for Advancement Administration by 2003. He provided strategic management and planning for 10 operational areas including development, capital campaign, alumni services, public relations, government relations, records and research, admissions, and financial aid. Additionally, he had a major role in recruiting volunteer leadership and major contributors for Mercer University. During his career at Mercer, the university had a 35 percent growth in donors.

In the area of admissions, he assisted with the restructuring of the Admissions Office, including the development and implementation of recruiting and scholarship strategies for incoming undergraduates. In the first year of the restructuring and redesign, freshman enrollment increased by over 50 students making it the largest freshman class in Mercer history while SAT averages rose by 67 points.

Mr. Daugherty earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mercer University. While in graduate school, he served as the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, recruiting high school and junior college basketball players in the Southeast and Midwest and hiring and supervising the managerial staff.

Dr. James Dale (J.D.) Rottweiler became the 11th president of Cochise College on July 1, 2009. A first-generation college graduate himself, J.D. understands the importance of education in enhancing one’s quality of life.

J.D. earned a bachelor of arts in sociology with a Japanese minor in 1990, and a master of arts in sociology in 1992 from the University of Wyoming. In 2005, he earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah. His dissertation, “Presidential Profiles: University Presidents by Institutional Type, Control, and Reputation,” established mobility patterns for American university presidents.

J.D.’s area of expertise is in cultural studies and social mobility. He has spent a significant amount of time in Japan and produced the documentary film “A 20th Century Matsuri: The Secularization of the Japanese Religious Festival.” A teacher at heart, J.D. enjoys any opportunity to teach others the subtle meanings and influences of culture and social structure.

J.D. has over 25 years of higher education experience, ranging from small, rural colleges to large, multi-campus, urban institutions. Prior to becoming president of Cochise College, he was executive vice president for academic services and professor of sociology at Central Wyoming College. He has served as associate dean of instruction at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa, and on the faculty at Ricks College, now Brigham Young University – Idaho, and was associate professor/chair of the Department of Sociology at Salt Lake Community College. He also is a consultant/evaluator with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

J.D. is a graduate of the Community College Leadership Initiative Consortium, the Salt Lake Leadership Academy, and Leadership Fremont County in Wyoming. In 2006, he was recognized as one of Wyoming’s “40 under 40,” individuals under the age of 40 making a difference in Wyoming.

J.D.’s wife, Melanie, is also an educator; the couple has three children, and two grandsons.

Dr. Daria J. Willis serves as the 17th president of Everett Community College, an institution with over 19,000 credit and non-credit students in the Seattle Metropolitan area. She is the school’s first African American president and fourth woman in this role in its 78-year history. Everett Community College is one of eleven community colleges nationwide that earned recognition from Achieving the Dream as a “Leader College of Distinction.” EvCC was recognized for increases in the number of students completing math and English requirements during their first year, year-to-year retention and degree completion. 

Drawing from her experience as a first-generation college student and a student parent, Dr. Willis has partnered actively with public school districts, four-year universities, local businesses, and not-for-profit organizations to offer services and support to students from all backgrounds. She is a member of the American Association of Community College’s Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Aspen Ascent President Advisory Group, and the Presidential Advisory Board for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Her community service activities include the United Way of Snohomish County, the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, and the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. 

Dr. Willis was named a 2018 recipient of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges’ “40 Under 40” Award. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University and Florida State University, earning her BA, MA, and PhD in African American History. 

Dr. Lori Sundberg is the 5th president of Kirkwood Community College and the first female to serve in that role. Sundberg holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Management from St. Ambrose University (2003) as well as a Master in Business Administration in Marketing from Western Illinois University (1998). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College with a double major in Economics and History (1995). Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Sundberg served for eight years as the President of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. Sundberg was the 6th president for Carl Sandburg College and the first graduate and female to lead the institution. She has more than 25 years in community College leadership.