BOSTON, MA (June 7, 2011) – The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education unanimously approved the selection of Dr. John O’Donnell as the next President of Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) today. Dr. O’Donnell becomes the fifth President of MassBay.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. O’Donnell back to Massachusetts,” said Board Chair Charles Desmond, “and we are confident that the MassBay community will be well served with such a capable leader. We expect great things for MassBay under the O’Donnell Administration.”
“We also want to thank Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph for her six years of distinguished service to the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Desmond. “She has improved the institution and served MassBay with distinction, and we wish her well in her new endeavors.”
Dr. Berotte Joseph has served as President of MassBay since March 2005. She has accepted the position of President at Bronx Community College in New York
Jonathan Bower, Chair of the MassBay Board of Trustees said, “The Board of Trustees is thrilled that John O’Donnell is coming to MassBay. “We look forward to working with Dr. O’Donnell, who will build on the work of Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph and previous MassBay presidents in helping the College meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
On Sunday, May 15th, during a special meeting, the MassBay Board confirmed that Dr. O’Donnell was the body’s first choice by a unanimous vote.
John O’Donnell has served as President of Stark State College in Ohio since January, 2004. A strong proponent of community colleges, he views education – specifically community and technical colleges – as the way to advance students, businesses, and communities.
During his career, he has taught psychology on the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degree levels; practiced as a counseling and clinical psychologist; and has held leadership positions in community/technical colleges. Previous positions include leadership roles at North Shore Community College in Massachusetts, President of the Regional Campuses of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System, and Commissioner and CEO of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System.
Dr. O’Donnell’s own career was made possible through access to affordable education. He received a B.A. in history from Queens College of the City University of New York and his ME.d. and Ph.D. from Boston College.
Dr. O’Donnell will begin his Presidency on August 1st.