TCC Names New Senior VP & Chief Academic Officer
Published
Cindy Hess, Ed. D., has been named by the Tulsa Community College Board of Regents as Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. Hess returns to TCC after spending the past 10 years in higher education leadership roles in North Carolina and St. Louis where she led initiatives in workforce development and spearheaded efforts to improve and streamline student services.
As Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Hess will serve as an academic leader for the College, impact the direction of TCC and support the implementation of the new strategic plan expected to be presented to the TCC Board of Regents in April 2015.
“Dr. Hess represents both a commitment to the classroom and an expertise in academic and operational leadership that is critical as we focus on future goals in transfer and workforce opportunities for our students,” said Leigh B. Goodson, TCC President and CEO. “Most of all, she represents a commitment to the community college mission and its value in the higher education journey for our students and citizens.”
Hess started her community college career in Tulsa, becoming TCC Northeast Campus Provost before moving to Craven Community College in New Bern, North Carolina as Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. Then she served as President of St. Louis Community College in Forest Park, St. Louis before returning to TCC where she most recently served as Associate Dean for Communication Services at TCC Southeast Campus.
“My focus is on the College’s performance in three areas: increasing student persistence and graduation rates, supporting staff and faculty in their development and meeting regional community needs in workforce development and university transfer,” said Hess. “The new strategic plan currently in development will guide our work together as a college to ensure that we are providing our students a quality learning environment leading to their success.”
Hess has a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration, a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in English - each from Oklahoma State University.
She will begin work April 1.