Newsmakers

CEO retirement

Michael Chipps, president of Nebraska’s Northeast Community College, has announced that he will retire December 31. He has served as the college’s CEO for seven years and the state’s community college for 40 years.

During his tenure at Northeast, the college has added new programs and facilities, established the Center for Global Engagement and the Center for Enterprise, and designed and implemented its Vision 2020 comprehensive strategic plan. The college was also recognized as one of America’s top 10 community colleges by the Aspen Institute. In 2013, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) named Northeast a national finalist for its Awards of Excellence as an Outstanding College/Corporate Partner for its work with the Nucor Detailing Center. In 2015, AACC named Northeast a national finalist for its Exemplary CEO/Board of Trustees Award of Excellence. In addition, Northeast was one of six colleges recognized by AACC in 2018 for outstanding student success for its five-year advising model that is transforming the college’s culture.

Prior to Northeast, Chipps was president and CEO of Mid-Plains Community College. Earlier in his career, he held several instructional, student services and administrative positions at Central Community College. Chipps has served for a number of years on regional, national and international boards, including the AACC board of directors and the board of directors for the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics.

“Under Dr. Chipps’ leadership, Northeast Community College is not only positioning itself as a trailblazer both within the state and region, but also as a shining example of what rural community colleges nationwide can aspire to become,” said Steven Anderson, chair of the college’s board of governors.

Appointments

Jim Morton, president of Cape Fear Community College in North Carolina, has been appointed to serve on the North Carolina Financial Literacy Council by Gov. Roy Cooper.

“Community Colleges play such a vital role in our state, and I am honored to be able to represent our community college system at this level,” Morton said. “I’m excited to serve on this council and to work to make sure citizens across North Carolina have access to programs that will help inform and strengthen their financial decisions.”

The 18-member council comprises representatives from the community college system, Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Public Instruction, Department of the Secretary of State, Department of State Treasurer, Office of the Commissioner of Banks and the University of North Carolina, among others.

Burl Yearwood is now associate dean of science, technology, engineering and math at Hudson County Community College in New Jersey. Previously, he was chair of the natural sciences department at LaGuardia Community College in New York.

About the Author

Matthew Dembicki
Matthew Dembicki edits Community College Daily and serves as associate vice president of communications for the American Association of Community Colleges.