JWCC plans to announce new president this month

By Editor | January 6, 2026 |

At its regular December meeting, the John Wood Community College Board of Trustees in closed session reviewed constituent feedback and discussed three candidates under consideration to become JWCC’s eighth president. Trustees expect to make a decision on the next JWCC President at a special board meeting in January. Shown are Board Member and Pike County resident Andy Sprague, Board Chair Bob Rhea, and Interim JWCC President Josh Welker. (Submitted photo)

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

At its regular December meeting, the John Wood Community College Board of Trustees in closed session reviewed constituent feedback and discussed three candidates under consideration to become JWCC’s eighth president.
Trustees hired search firm the Pauly Group to conduct a national search. Over 50 applications were received in response to the search firm’s work. The Pauly Group narrowed the field to nine candidates who were virtually interviewed by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee that chose finalists for on-campus interviews.
The Advisory Committee was co-chaired by trustees Paula Hawley, retired Pikeland Superintendent, and Andy Sprague, proprietor of Sprague’s Kinderhook Lodge.
Finalists Dr. Albert Lewis, Dr. Aron Potter, and Dr. Michelle Allmendinger recently spent a full day on JWCC’s Quincy campus sharing their experience, philosophy, leadership style and vision for JWCC with various stakeholder groups. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members provided their feedback directly to the Pauly Group, which Trustees reviewed as part of the selection of JWCC’s next leader.
Lewis most recently served as the Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President at Northwest State Community College in Ohio since 2021. Prior to that role, he was the Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development at Bellevue College in Washington from 2015 to 2021. Lewis has also served as a Dean of Corporate, Community, and Continuing Education and has been an instructor at the community college and university level. He holds a Doctorate in Education and is originally from Akron, Ohio.
Potter has served as Vice President of Academic Services for Coffeyville Community College in Kansas since 2015. Prior to that role, Potter was an Assistant Professor and Head Softball Coach at Culver-Stockton College from 2010 to 2015. Dr. Potter was also an instructor and head softball coach for University of Central Missouri, Missouri Southern State University, and Coffeyville Community College. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and is originally from Vandalia, Missouri.
Allmendinger has served as Vice President of Student Affairs at Southeastern Community College in Iowa since 2023. From 2018 to 2023 she served as Dean of Student Development at Clinton Community College. Prior to that role, Allmendinger worked as Athletic Director and Assistant Dean of Students at Scott Community College and as a head women’s tennis and softball coach for six years at the college level. She has been a high school, community college, and university instructor. She holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration and is originally from Moline, Illinois.
Trustees plan to work with the Pauly Group to make an offer to a candidate in the next few weeks and expect to hold a special board meeting in early January to announce the College’s new president and date for the individual to assume the duties of the position.
JWCC Board Chair Bob Rhea emphasized the importance of making an appropriate selection among the finalists to lead the College forward.
“Hiring a president is the most important role of any board,” Rhea said in a JWCC release following the board meeting. “We have three excellent candidates from which to choose, and we will thoughtfully and carefully consider feedback from all stakeholders to inform our decision. We want to select the leader who will best serve our students, college, and the people of the communities in our district.”
Following a report from Interim JWCC President Josh Welker, Rhea credited Welker for his work to lead the College during this time of transition.
“During the past 6 months, Josh Welker has continued to lead with passion, vision, and strategic success fully focused on delivering the best student experience at JWCC,” Rhea said by way of press release.
In regular monthly business, the Board:
Accepted four state grants totaling $639,294 – a $100,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for an automatic door lock security project; a $264,083.20 grant from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to help bridge non-credit workforce training to credit bearing courses and credentials; a $72,934.36 ICCB grant to provide mental health trainings, peer support programs and connection to community resources; and a $202,277 ICCB grant to expand high school dual enrollment opportunities in industrial maintenance, agriculture, truck driver training, Certified Nurse Assisting, welding and computer science.
Lowered the property tax rate to 38.5 cents per $100 Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) compared to 40.2 in the previous year. Although the rate decreased, JWCC will receive $498,280 in additional revenue because of increased property values in JWCC’s district.
Authorized payment for the second half of Illinois Community College Trustee Association Dues.
Accepted a $84,175 bid from Quincy Tractor for a tractor to be used at the Workforce Development Center.
Accepted a $29,776.41 bid from Quincy-based Republic Services for waste removal services.
Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between JWCC and the JWCC Faculty Association IFT/AFT 6086 for the prorated calculation of full-time teaching loads and overload eligibility for faculty who begin employment after the start of a semester.
Denied a request from an employee for compensable amicable separation.
The date of the special board meeting will be announced when a preliminary agreement is reached with a presidential candidate. The next regular meeting of the JWCC Board will be February 19 at 6 p.m. on the Quincy campus.