TANNER — Calhoun Community College Interim President Dr. Jimmy Hodges can remove the “interim” from his title.
Hodges has been named president of the school by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. They approved Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker’s recommendation to appoint him to the position.
“For decades Calhoun Community College has been at the helm of workforce development in North Alabama, and I consider it a huge blessing to be able to lead such an excellent group of students, faculty and staff in continuing to enhance our current strategies and promote future growth,” said Hodges. “Our communities are what make us. This is the fastest-growing area of the state, and I am grateful to Chancellor Jimmy Baker and the Alabama Community College System board of trustees for giving me the opportunity to serve as interim president over the past year.”
Hodges’ appointment marks one of two permanent college presidential appointments at Alabama’s community and technical colleges. For the first time in many years, all 24 of the colleges have permanent presidents.
“Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties are exploding in economic development, which means the residents and businesses there need to know now more than ever that a dynamic leader like Jimmy is at Calhoun Community College to ensure accessible, affordable and flexible education is right there to meet the needs of the community,” Baker said. “Calhoun Community College leads our system in so many areas. I’m excited to see how Jimmy will continue to strengthen direct ties to business and industry to maintain the college’s standing.”
Hodges’s experience in higher education spans 40 years, having worked in administration, manufacturing, drafting and design technology. He began his career as a machinist and served in a variety of manufacturing industry roles over a 20-year span.
He was a drafting instructor at the Earnest Pruett Center of Technology before joining the faculty at Wallace State as drafting department chairman and instructor. He was later promoted to dean of applied technologies.
Hodges holds bachelor’s degrees in career and technical education and management of technology from Athens State University. He also earned a master’s in educational leadership and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama.
Hodges earned a diploma in machine shop technology from Wallace State and an associate of applied science in machine tool technology from Calhoun.
Calhoun Community College is Alabama’s largest two-year institution offering more than 100 associate degree and certificates with campuses in Decatur, Tanner and Huntsville.
“I appreciate Calhoun employees who have welcomed me, and I look forward to continuing what we’ve started in meeting the needs of our students and the community,” Hodges said.
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