Chancellor James L. Skidmore announced that he will leave his current role effective June 30, 2015.
Skidmore is the first Chancellor of the community and technical college system and has served for eleven years in that role since its formation in 2004. He has been involved in the state level administration of community and technical college education for 29 years.
“Jim has devoted most of his professional career to the advancement of community and technical college education in West Virginia, “ said Council Chairman Clarence “Butch” Pennington. “Our council appreciates his commitment, professionalism, and dedication in serving as our Chancellor.”
During his tenure, Skidmore has overseen the creation of an independent community and technical college system that focuses on workforce education and providing affordable access to higher education. His accomplishments include dramatically increasing the number of community college graduates; implementing 133 new technical programs to meet employer needs; and acquiring additional investments in the community college system.
“As a native West Virginian, it has been my honor and pleasure to serve as the first Chancellor of the Community and Technical College System the past 11 years. I am exceptionally proud of the long list of accomplishments we have achieved, working together with our business community, the Council, our college presidents, the Legislature and the Governor to meet West Virginia’s workforce needs,” said Chancellor Skidmore.
Since 2004, Skidmore worked toward securing a 35 percent increase in community and technical college budgets and substantial improvements to infrastructure, including the creation of two new Advanced Technology Centers and seven new major campus facilities.
The Council will establish a search committee for a new Chancellor.
