Since 2010 leading Metropolitan Community College (MCC) as Chancellor, Mark James has faced steep challenges. Amid monetary projections that MCC would deplete its financial reserves within five years, Mark James implemented a new strategic plan that reorganized the College’s financial and organizational operations all while committing to no layoffs.
Due to the difficult decisions made to protect the college’s economic future, he saved Metropolitan Community College more than $80 million dollars over the next two decades afforded by discontinuing early retirement benefits. Further, through debt refunding, he was able to reinvest and release $14 million for use over seven years for much-needed facility and maintenance. He also guided the College through a budgeting process that helped employees better understand available resources and best practices to prioritize resources appropriately.
In the face of financial peril, he has transformed MCC’s financial stability to one that was recently commended by the Higher Learning Commission, the independent corporation that accredits degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions in the North Central region.
As Chancellor James prepares to retire, he was afforded the honor to serve as the keynote speaker during commencement in May of 2017. During the momentous milestone for more than 2,500 students from all five MCC campuses graduated, Chancellor James urged students to become lifelong learners.
“Like me, many of you are first-generation college students and like me, many of you have overcome various obstacles and challenges along your paths to get here.
You have prepared, believed in, and committed yourselves to successfully completing the first leg of a lifelong race and with what you have learned here at MCC, you will be ready for any path that is laid before you.”
Student, employees, and parents applauded his inspirational message and parting words he prepared for MCC graduates.
