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May 10, 2001

DR. KENNETH ATWATER SELECTED PRESIDENT OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE; TAKES THE HELM JULY 1

Dr. Kenneth H. Atwater, Vice President for Student Services at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, MI., for the past five years, has been selected President of South Mountain Community College (SMCC). He takes the helm on July 1.

On Wednesday, May 9, Dr. Fred Gaskin, Chancellor of the Maricopa Community College District, announced the appointment of Dr. Atwater to the post.

The Maricopa Community College District Governing Board approved Dr. Atwater's appointment at its meeting on May 8. Sixty-six individuals applied for the presidency. Dr. Atwater emerged as the top candidate as a result of an inclusive process of interviews and conversations with representatives of employees, students and community groups.

South Mountain Community College serves more than 7,000 students year around at its main campus at 2050 S. 24th St. (just north of Baseline) and at the SMCC Guadalupe Center and the SMCC Ahwatukee Foothills Center.

Dr. John Córdova, President of SMCC for the past nine years, announced last fall that he will retire in order to pursue other interests. Dr. Córdova has served in the Maricopa Community College District for the past 25 years.

" I am unbelievably honored to have been selected to serve at this excellent community college in a district whose reputation is unsurpassed," Dr. Atwater said. "I look forward to working with employees, students, and the community to build on the high quality and good name of SMCC and the district."

Widely known for his enthusiasm and energy, Dr. Atwater added, "Our number one goal will be to make South Mountain the best community college in the country."

The new president plans to reside in the South Mountain Village area.

TWENTY YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The incoming President has served in community college leadership positions for the past 20 years.

As Vice President for Student Services at Kellogg Community College, Dr. Atwater has led student services and two major off-campus centers (where he has been responsible for a $3 million budget). Admissions and records, athletics, counseling, career services, financial aid, testing and assessment are among areas of responsibility.

Prior to his position at Kellogg, he was Vice President and Dean of Students at Howard Community College in Columbia, Md., for three years. He has also been Vice President for Student Development Services at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, S.C.; and Dean of Students at Catonsville Community College in Catonsville, Md.

At Jackson State Community College in his native state of Tennessee, Dr. Atwater was Director of Counseling Services and Director of Student Activities.

CONNECTS WITH COMMUNITIES

"Following a very competitive process, Dr. Atwater emerged as an outstanding leader who has the vision to lead South Mountain Community College. Ken is highly enthusiastic and capable," Dr. Gaskin said. "He shows respect for all individuals. Students praise him for caring about them and supporting them in achieving their goals."

"Dr. Atwater has a reputation for connecting strongly with communities. Business and community leaders appreciate his ability to create and maintain connections that result in opportunities for students and colleges. Best of all, he puts students first and is concerned about them as individuals striving to gain an education," Dr. Don Campbell, President of the District Governing Board, added.

Paul Ohm, President of Kellogg Community College, added, "Ken has the wonderful capacity of making anyone who works with him feel comfortable. It is an exceptional quality."

"Battle Creek will greatly miss Dr. Atwater," added Joseph Stewart, Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs of the Kellogg Co. "The Phoenix community is going to benefit enormously from Dr. Atwater's energy level, dedication to the community, and his great commitment to education. He interacts extremely well with all elements of a community -- business, public schools, philanthropic groups, government -- all the entities that help make a community college
a community builder.

As a community college leader, Dr. Atwater has launched valuable programs and efforts in the areas of community service and development, economic development, community wide training and job preparation, occupational/technical and school-to-work initiatives, and community wide
responses to welfare reform. Initiatives have included joint ventures with Battle Creek's Block Grant Committee, Urban League, Workforce Development Board, and more. In addition, he initiated links with the Battle Creek Health System, the public schools of Battle Creek, and with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

He has served on the boards of the Southwestern Michigan Urban League, the Battle Creek Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Greater Battle Creek United Way, the Northeast Regional Council of Black American Affairs of the American Association of Community Colleges, and has been Vice Chair of the Board of the National Institute for Student Success.

DOCTORATE FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Dr. Atwater earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education (with a focus on community colleges) from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., 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, Ky.

The new President 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.

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March 13, 2002