Board of Higher Ed Names James Mabry as MCC's Fourth President

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education voted unanimously today to appoint Dr. James Mabry Middlesex Community College’s fourth president. MCC’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Dec. 11 to recommend Mabry to the post, following a five-month Presidential Search process.

Mabry will leave his position as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz. He is expected to take over from retiring MCC President Carole Cowan sometime in February.

“I want all community college students to have an opportunity to learn and to succeed. Whether working or raising a family, or both, whether right out of high school or coming back or just starting out, I want higher education to be accessible to them and I want to create learning environments that are welcoming and promote their success,” Mabry said after the vote.

He said he is excited to move here with his wife Judy and to begin the next phase of his career.

“I think Middlesex is a great fit for my wife and I and we are looking forward to being involved with the community and filling our home with new friends,” Mabry said. “I am totally committed to my profession and happy with what I do. You will find me passionate and positive, progressive, and professional. It will be an adventure with many challenges and I feel ready to take this on and make Middlesex an even greater community college that all will be proud of.”

Mabry holds a Ph.D. in U.S. History from Columbia University and a Master of Science degree from The London School of Economics. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University’s School of General Studies, and his associate degree from the University of Maryland Overseas Division. He also holds a post-graduate certificate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

Prior to his position at Mesa Community College, Mabry was Dean of Academic Affairs at Palm Beach State College, South Campus, in Boca Raton, Fla. He also served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he was also an Assistant Professor of history. Mabry began his career as a high school social studies teacher in the New York City public school system.

Middlesex Community College meets the evolving educational, civic and workforce needs of our local and global communities. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in the state, we educate more than 13,000 students annually on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. MCC offers more than 70 degree and certificate programs, plus hundreds of noncredit courses. At Middlesex, everyone teaches, everyone learns.