Rebecca Ashford will be the next president of Chattanooga State Community College, and she is expected to start leading the school in July.
The Tennessee Board of Regents voted to confirm Ashford this afternoon, after TBR Chancellor Flora Tydings recommended her out of 63 applicants for the post.
Ashford has been serving as the vice president of student affairs at Pellissippi State in Knoxville since 2008.
"I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next president of Chattanooga State Community College," Ashford said Friday in a statement. "I look forward to working with the faculty and staff to build upon the college's successes in meeting the community's educational and workforce needs."
Two years ago Tydings was named president of Chattanooga State and was tapped last year to be the state's first female chancellor of TBR, making her responsible for recommending her successor.
Last week Tydings announced plans to nominate Ashford for the post, after interviewing four finalists for the position.
"This search is especially close to me because the new president is my successor," Tydings told TBR board members Friday. " I know the person being recommended today will continue the progress that has been made and will strive to keep the momentum going for student success."
Ashford visited Chattanooga State's campus for an on-site visit and interview April 19, and she spent about an hour answering questions in an open forum. During the forum, Ashford said she views Pellissippi State as a cousin or sister school to Chattanooga State, as both are top-notch institutions and about the same size.
Ashford added that she's visited Chattanooga State several times in the past couple of years and has been impressed with everyone at the school from the custodial staff to top administrators.
In her experience at Pellissippi State, Ashford said she's worked to help support students' success and eliminate some of the barriers that often prevent students from completing degrees.
Last year Ashford co-chaired TBR's Campus Safety and Security Task Force. She began her career in higher education in 1997 as a student advisor at what was then Brevard Community College in Florida, and she has held executive-level appointments at three community colleges since 2000.
In 2005 Ashford earned her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida.
Contact staff writer Kendi A. Rainwater at krainwater@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow on Twitter @kendi_and.