Colorado Community College Leader Joins
Whitney Management Team June 1
DALLAS – Joe D. May, a nationally recognized leader in community college innovation, will join the education initiative being developed by Best Associates in June, according to Randy Best, chairman of Best Associates.
“Dr. May brings great strengths to the operational development of Whitney University and Whitney International University,” Mr. Best said Wednesday. “He is respected throughout the country for his leadership in community college systems. He has the skills to help us take college education to a new level.”
Dr. May served as president of the Colorado Community College System from 2000-2003, providing leadership for 13 colleges, 38 campuses and seven centers, 2,500 faculty and staff. As president, he supervised a budget of more than $338 million and led the colleges to an enrollment of 116,000 students, the largest in nine years.
After retiring from the community college system in late 2003, Dr. May assumed the position of associate vice president for institutional partnerships at Regis University in Denver, Colo. In that role, he has focused on new ventures, creating a national and international online consortium and initiating partnerships with more than 50 community colleges.
“I am looking forward to putting the ideas behind Whitney University and Whitney International into action so we can make high quality courses available to more students,” Dr. May said this week. “The management team at Best Associates not only has incredibly visionary ideas, they have the understanding of what it takes to be successful.”
Dr. May’s previous experience includes serving as President of the Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado; Dean of Instruction and Student Development at the Danville Community College in Danville, Va.; Executive Dean of Instruction at Vernon College in Vernon, Texas; Dean of Student Services at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas; and Assistant Professor of Education at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.
He received his Ed. D. from Texas A&M University in Commerce (formerly East Texas State University), an M. Ed. in Counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and a B.S. in Social Rehabilitation Services from Stephen F. Austin State University.
His recent professional affiliations have included the Editorial Board of Education, West; the U.S. Dept. of Energy Higher Education Advisory Board, the national Renewable Energy Laboratory, the American Association for Community Colleges Licensure Committee, and The U.S. Dept. of Education National Design Group for Career and Technical Education.