St. Louis Community College has named Jeff Pittman, an education official in Indiana, as the new chancellor of its four-campus system, effective July 1.
Pittman, who turns 58 this week, is currently statewide vice president of corporate college services and online education at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. He was one of four finalists for the job, including Rod Nunn, the interim president of the college’s Forest Park campus.
“I am eager to begin work with the faculty, staff, students and the trustees of this organization and the entire St. Louis community,” Pittman said in a statement released by the college.
“Our mission is about providing students with the opportunity to prepare themselves with the education and skills needed for high-wage jobs, for further education and to provide employers with a highly educated and skilled workforce so desperately needed for the future. I wish to publicly thank the trustees for their confidence in me and look forward to working with them and the many constituents of the college for years ahead.”
Besides serving in his current job since January 2013, Pittman has held a wide variety of positions for Ivy Tech for nearly three decades. It is Indiana’s community college system, with 30 campuses in 14 regions serving nearly 200,000 students.
Craig Larson, head of the college’s board, said those involved in the search for a chancellor “were impressed with Dr. Pittman’s extensive background in community colleges, including previous service as a multi-campus chancellor in Indiana. Because of his experience, Dr. Pittman understands the opportunities, as well as the complexities and challenges, facing community colleges and higher education today.
“Dr. Pittman made it clear that he understands the critical role St. Louis Community College plays both in preparing students for a lifetime of success and in ensuring the economic vitality of the region.”
Pittman has a doctorate in educational leadership, administration and foundations from Indiana State University.
He will take over from interim Chancellor Dennis Michaelis, who has headed the college system since October 2013. He was hired to replace Myrtle Dorsey, who left in the wake of controversy over an assault on a female student in a restroom on the Meramec campus. That incident that also led to the resignation of George Wasson as president at Meramec.
Besides Forest Park and Meramec, St. Louis Community College also has campuses at Florissant Valley and Wildwood and serves nearly 70,000 students a year.
