SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College has found its next president.
The EMCC board of trustees selected Thomas Huebner of Shelton State Community College in Alabama to take over for Dr. Rick Young, who is retiring on June 30 after 11 years with the school.
Huebner, who will begin his new role July 1, has spent his career at institutions of higher learning in Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Huebner as president of East Mississippi Community College,” said EMCC board chairman Kathy Dyess. “Even though he has very large shoes to fill, we are confident that he will lead EMCC into a bright new future.”
Huebner earned his bachelor’s degree at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. He received a master’s degree in communication from the University of Georgia and a doctorate in communication and research methods from University of Southern Mississippi.
“I’ve known about EMCC’s outstanding reputation for a long time, and I was so impressed with the people I met when I visited the Golden Triangle and Scooba campuses last week,” Huebner said. “I’m excited to be a part of that community.”
The EMCC board is confident Huebner will continue Young’s tradition of expanding the school and working with local businesses and communities.
Huebner will take his time getting to know his new home.
“I’m going to listen,” Huebner said. ” I want to get to know people — the faculty, staff, students, members of the community. I want to get a feel for our strengths and challenges. Then we’ll move forward together. But first, I’m going to listen and learn.”
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