Leadership Kankakee Community College search My KCC ATTENTION: Spring 2022 registration is now open. Register today. COVID-19 information is at Coronavirus.kcc.edu You must follow the KCC vaccination policy. FREE COVID-19 testing is available. Home About Leadership Leadership From the President Welcome to Kankakee Community College! We take great pride in our culture of caring which means we value diversity and actively work to achieve equity and inclusion in all of our programs and services. We are eager to get to know you, listen carefully as you share with us your goals and dreams, and then help you achieve them. The KCC mission is "Enhancing quality of life through learning," and we do this by offering our students and community clients high quality and rigorous academic and career programs. We also offer numerous opportunities to connect with fellow students, faculty and staff. From personal experience, I know that when we work together, we achieve much more than we thought possible. During your academic journey at KCC, you will find people and programs that meet you where you are. From there, you can follow a path toward immediate entry into a career, or continue on to a four-year bachelor’s degree. We offer a quality education at a fair cost, and we will help you meet your goals. There are a lot of great things happening at KCC. If you haven’t already, please visit us and begin the conversation about your future. You can start with an information request at info.kcc.edu. Thank you! - Michael Boyd, Ph.D. Executive Leadership Team Dr. Michael Boyd President and CEO Dr. Michael Boyd was named KCC's seventh president in 2019. Firmly committed to community service, Boyd is engaged with numerous efforts including the United Way, the Kankakee Area Regional Vocational Education System and the Kankakee Grundy Livingston Workforce Board. Boyd has served as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, chairperson of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce, president of the Illinois Council of Chief Academic Officers, and president of the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators. He joined KCC's staff in 2014 as vice president for instructional and student success, the college's chief academic officer. Before KCC, he worked at Illinois Central College, most recently as associate dean of English, humanities, and language studies. He served as ICC's Six Sigma Black Belt. As a professor of English and Humanities, Boyd was awarded the ICC Thomas K. Thomas Endowed Teaching Chair in 2007. Boyd also has been a high school English teacher and football coach. He has three degrees from Illinois State University: a bachelor's degree in English education, a master's degree in English studies and a doctorate in English studies. Dr. Kiana Battle Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kiana Battle is passionate about supporting students as they pursue their academic and vocational goals. In 2019, Battle proudly received the Moraine Valley Community College and the League for Innovation's "Excellence in Leadership" award. In 2010, Battle also accepted the City Colleges of Chicago "Distinguished Administrator" award. The same year, she was one of 2010's "Top 25 Women in Chicago" (Rollingout Magazine). She has served as dean of career programs at Moraine Valley, Community College; and associate dean of instruction for career programs, and director of media and visual communications programs for City Colleges of Chicago. Battle also spent a number of years in broadcasting as a television newscast director at a Chicago network affiliate. She holds a doctorate in higher education and organizational change from Benedictine University, a master's degree in integrated marketing communications from Roosevelt University, and a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications from Columbia College. Beth Nunley Vice President for Business Affairs & Board Treasurer Beth Nunley has worked in Illinois community colleges for more than 20 years. She joined KCC's staff in 2011 as director of financial affairs, and has served as vice president for business affairs and board treasurer since 2020. Nunley is responsible for the development and management of the college budget, investments, accounting functions and purchasing. Along with meeting reporting requirements of the Illinois Community College Board, the business affairs division also is responsible for overseeing construction projects, human resources, insurance, risk management, physical plant operations, information technology services, and the college bookstore. Before joining KCC's staff, Nunley worked as an accountant at Joliet Junior College. Nunley is also a certified public accountant, licensed in Illinois. She has an associate degree from Joliet Junior College, a bachelor's degree in accounting from Governors State University in University Park, and a master's degree in business administration from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. Meredith Purcell Vice President for Student Affairs Meredith Purcell is dedicated to helping students achieve their educational and career goals. With more than 21 years’ working in higher education, Purcell has extensive experience assisting students at various stages of their academic journeys. As KCC’s chief student affairs officer, she is responsible for enrollment management, student activities, support services, recruitment, advisement, financial aid, testing services and athletics. At KCC, Purcell has also been a transfer advisor and director of student success. Purcell has been instrumental in developing retention initiatives and securing partnerships to provide mental health services to KCC students. Prior to KCC, Purcell worked at Rush University in Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago and Kishwaukee College in Malta. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota; and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in student development in higher education from Northern Illinois University, in DeKalb. Dr. P.J. Thompson, Jr. Executive Director of the KCC Foundation Dr. Phillip (P.J.) Thompson Jr. is passionate about higher education. He enjoys sharing how the Illinois higher education system can make a difference for the next generation of college graduates. In March 2021, Thompson became executive director of the KCC Foundation, where he oversees major gifts campaigns, planned giving, scholarship programs and alumni relations. Previously, Thompson spent several years as alumni events coordinator at Eastern Illinois University. He has also served as associate director of alumni relations at Bradley University; and director of alumni and parent relations at McKendree University. Thompson has a bachelor's degree in sociology from Eastern Illinois University, a master's degree in higher education administration from McKendree University and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Maryville University. Thompson is active with Associated Colleges of Illinois; the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Region V; and is southern region vice-chair of the Illinois Committee for Black Concerns in Higher Education. Kari Nugent Director of Marketing and Public Relations Kari Nugent is responsible for the college's creative team, including advertising and social media. In all, Nugent has more than 25 years in marketing and business-related positions. She joined KCC's staff in 1999 and has held positions in advising, instruction, recruitment, the college foundation and marketing. She accepted her current position in 2004. Prior to KCC, Nugent was a marketing professional at McClier in Chicago. In the community, Nugent serves as chair of the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley board. She also is on the board of directors for the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health, and Mattea's Joy. She has a bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. David Cagle Director of Human Resources David Cagle has been the director of human resources at KCC since 2007. In this position, he directs and coordinates all college human resources operations, including recruitment and selection, Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunities, benefits and compensation programs, employee relations, and the personnel records system. He has been on the board of directors for Commonwealth Credit Union for the past 25 years. Prior to KCC, he worked in human resources for the County of Kankakee, Kankakee County Training Center, and St. Mary's Hospital. During his tenure on the board for the United Way of Kankakee County, he was recognized as the organization's Kankakee County Volunteer of the Year. He has a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in public relations and a Master of Business Administration degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Cagle has also earned certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. Michael OConnor Director of Information Technology Services As director of information technology services, Michael OConnor is responsible for the college's information technology team and oversees the planning, implementation and operation of all technology initiatives. His career providing technology solutions to both industry and higher education has spanned more than 29 years. He began his career at KCC in 2002 as the college's network system coordinator and was promoted to director in 2008. He is an alumnus of Aurora University, with a bachelor's degree in computer science/business information systems. OConnor also holds various industry certifications. Sheri Cagle Dean of Health Careers After joining the KCC staff in 1990, Sheri Cagle was named associate dean for health careers in December 2012. At the college, her other roles have included adjunct instructor, professor and clinical coordinator for nursing programs. Prior to joining KCC's faculty full-time, she worked for Riverside Medical Center and ABC Pediatrics. Cagle serves on the Riverside Medical Center Oakside Board and as Allocation Committee Chairperson for the United Way of Kankakee County Board. She received the United Way "Rookie of the Year" award in 2015. Cagle has a bachelor's degree in nursing from Olivet Nazarene University and a master's degree from St. Xavier University. Paul R. Carlson Dean of Business, Technology & Human Services Paul Carlson started at KCC in 2000 in the Office of Corporate and Continuing Education as a computer instructor. He assisted in the development and delivery of KCC's first online courses. He has been the administrator in charge of the Business/Technology Division since 2008. Recently, Carlson oversaw the move of several programs to the college's new Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center. Before joining KCC's staff, he was a software development training supervisor for CCCIS, Chicago. Carlson also has been a senior training consultant for Whittman-Hart, Chicago; and a U.S. Air Force instructor based in Denver. Carlson has a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Master of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer Hays Huggins Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences Jennifer Hays Huggins is passionate about providing students with the tools to meet their academic and life goals and is an active volunteer in her community. She began working at KCC as an adjunct business communication professor in 2003 and later as an English adjunct before becoming a full-time faculty member in 2013. She received KCC's Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award in 2012 and was recognized for Excellence in Teaching in Developmental Education by the Illinois Learning Specialists and Developmental Educators in 2016. Huggins assumed the role of interim associate dean of Humanities and Social Sciences in March 2019. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in communication from Illinois State University. A lifelong area resident, Huggins worked as a journalist locally and in human resources and retail management prior to joining the KCC family. Mary Posing Dean of Continuing Education and Career Services Mary Posing is a lifelong resident of the community served by KCC, and she has more than 20 years of workforce development experience at KCC. Currently, she is responsible for administering the college's noncredit instruction, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, customized business and industry training and placement functions for employers and students. In 2012, Posing was awarded the Professional of the Year Award by the Illinois Community College Training Resource and Information Network. In addition to her role at the college, Posing served as an ambassador for more than 15 years with the Kankakee Chamber of Commerce and she currently serves on the board of directors for the Kankakee County Humane Foundation. She has an associate degree from KCC, a bachelor's degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in communications and training from Governors State University. 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