Dr. DeRionne Pollard
Pollard, currently president of Nevada State University, will assume leadership this fall. She succeeds Dr. Walter Bumphus, who announced his retirement earlier this year after leading AACC since 2010.
The appointment comes at a critical time for community colleges, which serve as essential pathways to higher education and workforce development for millions of Americans. As the voice of more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide, AACC advocates for institutions that provide educational access to over 10 million diverse students.
"The community college sector is a cornerstone of America's educational and workforce ecosystem for millions of Americans," said Dr. Sunita "Sunny" Cooke, AACC Past Board Chair and chair of the search committee. "Dr. Pollard's impressive career has demonstrated that she is a leader among leaders."
Pollard brings extensive experience in community college leadership to the role. Before her current position at Nevada State University, she served as president at Montgomery College in Maryland and Las Positas College in California. Her career trajectory reflects the community college sector's commitment to promoting leaders who understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing these institutions.
As a first-generation college graduate, Pollard embodies the transformative potential of accessible higher education that community colleges represent. Her personal background aligns with the demographic profile of many community college students, who often come from families where higher education access has been limited.
"Community colleges are where tomorrow is born — in classrooms filled with discoverers, doers, and difference-makers — and they are the solution to prepare essential workforce, close entry gaps, and fuel civic renewal in every corner of this country," Pollard said in announcing her appointment.
