Delaware County Community College Names New College President

Delaware County Community College is ushering in some change in 2017 as it will see the first woman and first African American to take up the role of president at the college.

The higher education institution announced Dr. L. Joy Gates Black will be the new president after Dr. Jerry Parker retires on June 30.

Black comes to Delco with a load of experience from positions across the country, including Los Angeles, Massachusetts, and Texas, her home state.

Black holds numerous degrees, including a graduate studies certificate and a Master's Degree in Education from Cambridge College, a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University, and has pursued additional doctoral studies in Human and Organizational Development from Fielding University in Santa Barbara, California.

An Air Force veteran and native of Dayton, Texas, Black said she was drawn to the college because of its "meaningful, tangible investment in both success and completion as measurable outcomes."

Black will be leaving Tarrant County College District in Fort Worth, Texas to serve as the college's president.

"While we will miss the expert leadership and stewardship of Dr. Parker, we believe that Dr. Gates Black’s extraordinary track record in prioritizing and driving student completion represents a perfect fit with the College and our new strategic plan," said Michael L. Ranck, chairman of the College’s 13-member Board of Trustees.

Image via Delaware County Community College