President Steward’s retirement now effective January 1, 2021

The Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) Board of Regents & Trustees met in a special session on December 14 to review a request from OCCC President Dr. Jerry Steward to review and vote on an expedited retirement plan. President Steward earlier this year announced his retirement effective July 2, 2021, but has revised his plans with a retirement date of January 1, 2021. The Board of Regents approved President Steward’s request.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve as President of Oklahoma City Community College,†said President Steward in his retirement announcement on August 17, 2020. “OCCC [is] flourishing… leading… and setting the bar for how organizations should operate.â€

Mr. Devery Youngblood, Chair of the OCCC Board of Regents, says plans for searching, recruiting and hiring a new President are still to come. Effective January 2, 2021, Dr. Jeremy Thomas will become Interim President of the college for a one-year contract. and will retain his responsibilities as Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs. Ms. Danita Rose, Chief of Staff, makes up the other half of the executive leadership team and will continue in her role.

“We have full confidence in Dr. Thomas, Ms. Rose and their cabinet, which gives us the luxury to be very deliberate and inclusive in our transition to a new administration. We owe it to our faculty and staff, and of course to our students, to get this right.â€

With more than 60 majors to choose from, and more than 40 student-led clubs and organizations, OCCC offers an affordable, accredited college education to around 17,000 students annually, and serves thousands more in non-credit classes and programs. OCCC offers associate degrees, certifications and leadership opportunities to all Oklahomans, whomever they are, whomever they love, wherever they’ve been and wherever they’re going.

For information, opportunities and updates, visit thinkoccc.com and follow @OtripleC on social media.