Debbie Adams.For three decades, Debbie Adams has worked at Chattanooga State Community College, and she will now take the helm as interim president.
Adams will take over Feb. 1, when the college's President Flora Tydings moves into her new role as chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents.
TBR Chancellor David Gregory appointed Adams, who serves as the college's vice president of student affairs and workforce development, to the position of interim president Tuesday, according to a statement from the regents.
The TBR is expected to appoint a permanent president of Chattanooga State later this year. The board will convene a special conference call meeting soon to approve the criteria for the next president, according to the statement.
An advisory committee also will be appointed, composed of at least three TBR members and several representatives of Chattanooga State's faculty, staff, students and alumni, according to the statement.
But ultimately, Tydings herself will make the final recommendation to the full Board of Regents about who should replace her at Chattanooga State.
Adams began her career at Chattanooga State as an admissions and financial aid counselor and placement director. She moved into the role of assistant vice president and developed corporate training partnerships with area businesses and industries.
"As the workforce development liaison for the college, she met with site selectors and hosted various events to attract new industry to the area, including Volkswagen and Wacker Chemie," the TBR release states.
Adams is a member of the inaugural class of the Complete Tennessee Leadership Academy, a yearlong training program sponsored by Complete Tennessee and Leadership Tennessee. Adams also serves as a volunteer mentor for Tennessee Promise students and serves on the tnAchieves local advisory boards for Hamilton, Sequatchie and Bledsoe counties.