Jackson State vice president recommended to head Cleveland State

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For more information on the Cleveland State presidential search,visit www.tbr.edu, the Tennessee Board of Regents website.

photo William Seymour

NASHVILLE -- Dr. William Seymour, vice president for institutional advancement at Jackson State Community College in Jackson, Tenn., will be recommended as the next president of Cleveland State Community College, according to Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan.

If approved Dec. 5 by that board, Seymour will become president on Jan. 2 and succeed Dr. Carl Hite, who will resign in December after serving as Cleveland State's president for 17 years.

Seymour was one of four finalists in a nationwide search for Cleveland State's next president.

"We are fortunate to have someone with Dr. Seymour's extensive leadership experience and expertise available for this opportunity at Cleveland State," Morgan said in a news release. "An innovative educator, accomplished administrator and effective fund raiser, he is expected to provide an expansive overview to the college's strategic planning."

Seymour said he is "excited about the opportunity at Cleveland State Community College. I am committed to representing what a community college can do."

His approval would give him a chance to reconnect with East Tennessee relations, said Seymour, who served as vice president for administrative services and dean of students at Maryville (Tenn.) College from 1995 to 2009.

Before joining Jackson State, Seymour was president of Lambuth University, a small church-affiliated university in Jackson, until it ceased operations in 2011.

While at Jackson State, he designed and implemented the divisions of student services and institutional advancement for the college. Seymour also developed a new admissions recruitment program that resulted in the first new student enrollment increase in three years at Jackson State, according to the TBR announcement.

Seymour holds a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York College at Oswego, a master of education degree in counseling and personnel services and a Ph.D. in higher and adult education from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Morgan's recommended candidate for Cleveland State's president also has received local statements of approval.

"Dr. Seymour is a well-rounded professional, and I believe he will do a good job representing Cleveland State and the community," said Gary Farlow, president and CEO of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, who served on the presidential search committee.

Morgan said Seymour's "dedication to student success was a strong reason why he was chosen for this presidency, and I expect to see great things continue to emanate from Cleveland State."

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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