Advisory Panel
The Community College Advisory Panel (CCAP)
Charge
The Community College Advisory Panel (CCAP) shall promote national recognition of the role of community colleges in providing access to higher education. It shall seek to meet the needs of community colleges and the majority of students whose access to higher education is through this sector. Its priorities shall include the development of effective and integrated assessments and other services to facilitate student transitions and to support excellence in teaching, learning, and in measuring outcomes. It shall encourage increased participation of community colleges in College Board membership, meetings, governance, and advisory activities in order to build partnerships with schools and other sectors of higher education on behalf of educational excellence for all students.
Membership for 2009-10
Ding-Jo H. Currie, Chair
"It has been an enlightening task for me to work with the College Board on a vision for promoting higher education attainment through the community college experience, which has proven itself-and will continue to prove itself as an equalizer, energizer, and change agent for a prosperous, transformed, and global society."
— Ding-Jo H. Currie, President, Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, CA
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Ding-Jo H. Currie
A nationally and internationally recognized leader in education for almost 30 years, Currie was chosen to be the chair-elect for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in April, 2006. This was an honor bestowed by her peer CEOs nationwide.
Currie is called upon to serve in many leadership roles. In addition to the College Board's Community College Advisory Panel (CCAP), she is a commission member for the American Council of Education, the Center for Global Integrated Education, and many other organizations. But her first priority and love is serving as the president of Coastline Community College, a premier leader in technology-mediated instruction, innovation, and entrepreneurship in higher education. Currie has won many awards for her leadership roles in various capacities to bring about positive changes for students and communities. She is a strong advocate for linking education with business, industry, community, and governmental agencies.
She is consistently active and outspoken promoting global workforce development, technology and leadership development, women issues, international education, and most importantly, student success. She has been described as a dynamic visionary leader and a strong unity builder.
Ken Atwater
"Participation on the Community College Advisory Panel is not only an opportunity to play an active role in the continued growth and improvement of our nation's community college systems, but a way to work collectively and innovatively through partnerships and sharing of best practices, to enhance the quality of the teaching and learning experience for our students-the ultimate mission for all of us."
— Ken Atwater, President, South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, AZ
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Ken Atwater
Dr. Ken Atwater became President of South Mountain Community College on July 2, 2001. South Mountain Community College-part of the Maricopa Community College District in Arizona-serves more than 8,000 students year around at its main campus in Phoenix and at the SMCC Guadalupe Center and the SMCC Ahwatukee Foothills Center.
For the five years prior to becoming President of South Mountain, Dr. Atwater was Vice President for Student Services at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan. Three years prior to his position at Kellogg, Dr. Atwater was Vice President and Dean of Students at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. He has also been Vice President for Student Development Services at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, South Carolina; and Dean of Students at Catonsville Community College in Catonsville, Maryland. At Jackson State Community College, in his native state of Tennessee, Dr. Atwater was Director of Counseling Services and Director of Student Activities. In all, Dr. Atwater has served in community college leadership positions for the past 24 years.
Dr. Atwater earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education (with a focus on community colleges) from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, in 1989. He earned a Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1978 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Theater, and also Sociology, in 1977, all from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He is a graduate of the prestigious Executive Leadership Institute of the League for Innovation for Community Colleges; and also is a graduate of the Institute for Leadership Effectiveness, University of Tennessee - Knoxville. Dr. Atwater is an active member of the American Association of Community Colleges, serving on its Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Kenneth L. Ender
"I am delighted to be a member of the College Board's Community College Advisory Panel. The opportunity to work collaboratively with the Board and my colleagues to enhance student success is a very special opportunity. There is considerable work to be done to assure our K-12 curriculum aligns with that of community college higher education. Our goal should be nothing less than assuring every high school graduate is prepared for post-secondary training and/or post-secondary education. The economy and workplace of the 21st century demands nothing less. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this effort."
— Kenneth L. Ender, President, Cumberland County College, Vineland, NJ
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Kenneth L. Ender
Dr. Kenneth Ender's influence as President of Cumberland County College reaches beyond the college's campus. During his nine years at CCC, Dr. Ender has successfully positioned the college as a vibrant institution that enhances the community's quality of life.
One of Dr. Ender's most notable achievements is the college's School Counts! program, which offers area high school students the chance to earn CCC scholarships by meeting certain criteria, including regular school attendance and above-average grades. Hundreds of area employers offer School Counts! graduates priority status for job interviews and the CCC Foundation has raised nearly $3 million for scholarships. This program is literally changing Cumberland County's culture.
During the past five years, Dr. Ender has led a comprehensive reform project involving Cumberland County College and the public school districts it serves. The college and high schools are putting in place career/academic pathways in grades 9-16 to prepare residents for family-sustaining careers in healthcare, law and public safety, education and training, hospitality and retail, and construction and engineering.
Dr. Ender has also taken a leadership role at the state level, serving on the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board and the Executive and Facilities Committees, as well as the Academic Affairs Council of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. He is immediate past chair of the New Jersey Community College Presidents.
Dr. Ender is a member of the boards of Cumberland County Economic Development, the Cumberland County Intermunicipality Empowerment Zone, South Jersey Healthcare and the Greater Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton Chambers of Commerce.
Cheryl Frank
"I look forward to working with the members of the Community College Advisory Panel as we explore ways that community colleges can be active participants in national solutions given an increasingly diverse and changing society. It is so important that we help our students be successful in K-12 and higher education so that career goals can be realized. The College Board recognizes the import role that community colleges play in the future viability of our country."
— Cheryl Frank, President, Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights, MN
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Cheryl Frank
Dr. Cheryl Frank became president of Inver Hills Community College in May 1998. Founded in 1970 and located in Inger Grove Heights, Minnesota, Inver Hills is a comprehensive community college offering over 20 degree options, including liberal education courses (A.A.) that lead to transfer to four-year colleges and career-related degrees (A.S., A.A.S.) in leading occupational areas such as nursing, computers, law enforcement, human services, business, and emergency health care.
Prior to assuming the presidency, Dr. Frank held the positions of Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Development, Dean of Instruction, and Associate Dean of Instruction at Inver Hills. She also served as Director of Nursing for the Inver Hills-Lakewood Community Colleges Associate Degree Nursing Program, and was a nursing instructor at Inver Hills and Lakewood community colleges. Prior to this, Dr. Frank served as a nurse and an instructor at St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center.
Dr. Frank earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. She also holds an M.S. degree in Nursing from the University of Minnesota and the B.S.N. degree from Mankato State University (Minnesota).
Dr. Frank is active in a variety of regional and national higher education associations, including the American Association of Community Colleges and the Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association). She also serves on the Minnesota Campus Compact Board of Directors, MnSCU President's Leadership Council Executive Committee, and the MnSCU Technology Committee.
Active in the community, Dr. Frank serves on the River Heights Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Dakota Future Board, and the Dakota County International Trade Committee.
Jeanne Jacobs
"Serving on the Community College Advisory Panel is an important opportunity to contribute to the College Board's meaningful work in addressing the educational needs of our citizenry. The College Board's commitment to community colleges strengthens our ability to support the vitality, prosperity, and democracy of our nation. With vision and collaboration, I look forward to joining my colleagues to advance the community college mission and voice."
— Jeanne Jacobs, President, Miami Dade College (Homestead Campus), Homestead, FL
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Jeanne Jacobs
Jacobs began her term as president of Miami Dade College's Homestead Campus in November, 2005. Prior to this important post, beginning in August, 2001, she served as vice president for instruction at Sinclair Community College. While holding this position, Jacobs provided leadership for six academic divisions, Corporate and Community Services, Distance Learning and Instructional Support, Tech Prep, and off-campus sites. At Sinclair, she previously served as dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Jacobs was a W.K. Kellogg Fellow, sponsored by the League for Innovation and Kellogg, and has served as Sinclair's representative to the League.
In all, Jacobs brings 27 years of administrative leadership and teaching experience in community colleges. Prior to her work at Sinclair, she held leadership positions at Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama, including associate dean for human resources, director of personnel services, and assistant director of community services and continuing education. She also taught in the English department and the Adult Basic Education Program.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee; a master of education degree in adult education from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville; and a doctor of philosophy degree in administration of higher education, with a minor in English, from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Lucille Jordan
"Community colleges are one of this nation's most essential institutions. These colleges provide educational opportunity for students from all walks of life, helping them secure a better life for themselves and their families as well as strengthening our country's economic, political, and cultural standing. I have had the pleasure of working with the College Board for many years in the New England Region and I am pleased to participate on the national stage as a member of CCAP. I believe that CCAP's partnership with the College Board will continue to promote the critical mission of America's community colleges."
— Lucille Jordan, President, Nashua Community College, Nashua, NH
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Lucille Jordan
Lucille Jordan was appointed president of Nashua Community College in 1998. She has achieved national and state recognition for her commitment to community service, civic responsibility, developmental education, and business and industry partnerships with education.
Jordan has served as chair of Campus Compact for New Hampshire, a statewide association of four- and two-year college presidents and private sector partners who are committed to integrating service, leadership, and civic responsibility in higher education. She has also served as vice-chair of the national Campus Compact organization's board of directors. Jordan currently serves on the Greater United Way of Nashua board of directors, the New Hampshire College and University Council, the New Hampshire Postsecondary Commission, and the board of the Academy for Science and Design.
Jordan's personal and professional mission is to work toward a more civil society, one in which the worth of every person is recognized. As president of Nashua Community College, she creates an environment that not only develops academic skills, but also nurtures a sense of self-identity and acceptance. It is not unusual to see Jordan taking time from her duties as college president to help a student with a research paper or tutor an ESL student in English.
Wilfredo Nieves
"Being a member of the College Board's Community College Advisory Panel has provided me an opportunity to share and present issues and concerns that have an impact on students and faculty in community colleges. The College Board recognizes the important role that community colleges have in reaching and providing access and avenues for success for students at all levels."
— Wilfredo Nieves, President, Middlesex Community College, Middletown, CT
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Wilfredo Nieves
Nieves's extensive career exemplifies a lifetime commitment to the community college mission of access, opportunity, and service. From his early work in student services, to his more recent roles and accomplishments as an academic and administrative leader, he has a comprehensive understanding of college leadership. His appointment as president of Middlesex Community College in 2001 positioned him as a valuable contributor to the Middlesex service area and to many national community college organizations. Nieves brings 30 years of education experience to his current role. A long-time community college administrator, his career demonstrates the depth and breadth necessary to provide exemplary leadership in the complex environment of higher education today.
He currently serves as an evaluator for the Commissions on Higher Education for the Middle States Association and New England Association of Schools and Colleges. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to education. Nieves is a committed community leader and is active in many civic organizations, including the American Council on Education's Commission on Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity.
Nieves holds a baccalaureate degree in mathematics from Kean University in New Jersey, a master of arts degree in human development and a master of education in guidance from Columbia University, and a doctorate in counseling psychology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
Raymund A. Paredes
"The College Board is an organization that brings together colleagues from throughout American education focusing on some of the most important issues facing students, families, and educators. One of my goals as a member of the Community College Advisory Panel is to strengthen the community college voice within this organization and, in doing so, advance urgent education issues in partnership with K-12 schools and four-year colleges and universities."
— Raymund A. Paredes, Commissioner of Higher Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Austin, TX
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Raymund A. Paredes
Paredes is the commissioner of higher education at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Prior to joining the Coordinating Board, Paredes was vice president for programs at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), where he was responsible for scholarship and outreach programs. Before joining HSF, he was director of creativity & culture at the Rockefeller Foundation, from 2001-03.
He was vice chancellor of academic development for 10 years at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he had also been a professor of English since 1971. In addition, he served as special assistant to the president of the University of California System, from 1998-2000, on outreach efforts intended to improve access to higher education for students from educationally disadvantaged communities.
Paredes currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Mercy College of New York and the College Board, and on the Board of Directors of the Texas Cultural Trust. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Education Commission of the States and was recently elected to membership in the Texas Philosophical Society.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Paredes graduated from El Paso High School. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in English. He served in the U.S. Army for two years, including a 14-month tour with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam. After separation from military service, he resumed his education, receiving a doctorate in American civilization in 1973, from the same university.
Carolyn Williams
"The College Board and America's community colleges are working to increase the number of students who are prepared for, and succeed in, higher education. I hope that my membership on the Community College Advisory Panel will strengthen the College Board's commitment to community college students and educators in ways that advance student academic success. Given that community colleges are the most diverse higher education institutions in the United States, this is an important opportunity to build programs and services that address the needs of students that have been underrepresented in postsecondary education and provide them with the tools and resources for success in college and in life."
— Carolyn Williams, President, Bronx Community College, New York, NY
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Carolyn Williams
Williams was named the fourth president of Bronx Community College of the City University of New York in June, 1996. Prior to assuming this presidency, Williams served as the president of Los Angeles Southwest College from 1991-96. Previously, she was dean of student affairs at Highland Park Community College in Detroit, Michigan. Williams also served as the vice provost for academic and student affairs and acting vice president for academic affairs at Wayne County Community College, also in Detroit.
She is known for her expertise in designing programs to help community college students continue their postsecondary education. Williams has led initiatives, such as the Ford Foundation Urban Transfer Opportunity Program, the United Negro College Fund Transfer Opportunity Program, and the National Center for Educational Alliances. Under her leadership, Bronx Community College, through the National Center for Educational Alliances, has undertaken large-scale capacity building projects for higher education in South Africa. Williams has received honorary degrees from the University of Natal, South Africa and from Quinnipiac University, Connecticut, in recognition of her work in South Africa.
Serving on a number of national boards, Williams was chair of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), from 1999-2000. She is currently a member of the Commission on Global Education. She was also on the Board of the American Council on Education and is currently serving on the Commission on International Initiatives. Williams is the past chair of the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL). She participated in the national summit on "21st Century Skills for 21st Century Jobs" convened by vice president Al Gore in 1999.
Williams is a professor of sociology. She earned her bachelor of science degree in sociology, master of arts degree in urban planning, and doctorate in higher education from Wayne State University in Detroit.