Chancellor of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges to retire in 2022

Don Doucette, Chancellor of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC), will retire on July 1, 2022, at the end of his current employment contract, after 11 years of seniority, according to a press release on Wednesday.

The EICC board plans to conduct a national search for its successor.

“Doucette took college [EICC] to the next level of performance excellence, ”said Robert Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of the EICC. “He did everything we asked him to do. Thanks to its leadership, both in good times and in difficult times, the EICC is a stronger and more competent institution.

Doucette began his career in education as a high school English teacher in 1973. He discovered a passion for community colleges during his graduate studies, drawn by their promise to provide higher education access to everyone, regardless of their family, economic, demographic or educational situation. background, according to the release.

Prior to joining the EICC in July 2011, he held leadership positions at community colleges in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and Indiana and pioneered with The League for Innovation at Community College. He is also one of the founders of a technical college in Les Cayes, Haiti.

Doucette’s understanding of the importance of education began at a young age. Raised in a Polish immigrant family in Salem, Massachusetts, he and his two sisters were the first in their family to attend college.

“It was never about whether we were going to college,” said Doucette. “My parents understood that higher education was the key to a better life and the exit from the leather tanneries and shoe factories where generations of my grandparents and parents worked. My family was an example of the American Dream, so it was only natural that I found my life’s work in community colleges, long known as American Dream Colleges.

Doucette counts as his most significant contribution to the EICC with the development of a cooperative approach between the three colleges (Scott, Clinton and Muscatine community colleges), leveraging institutional resources.

“We are an effective and efficient institution capable of providing high quality education and student services throughout our eight county service area,” he said. “We have strong technical systems and expertise and can meet the needs of our students, businesses and communities in a very short timeframe. “

EICC has 22 school districts in the service area

He is also very satisfied with the partnerships that the DART maintains with the 22 school districts in its service area.

“We work closely with the college to prepare high school students for success both in college and in their careers,” said Mike Zimmer, director of secondary education for the Pleasant Valley Community School District. “Sometimes it seems like we have a K-14 education system in our area because of the DART, which is very good for our students.”

Other notable accomplishments during Doucette’s tenure as chancellor included a student graduation rate that doubled in 10 years, passing a referendum on $ 40 million bonds to expand facilities and vocational and technical education programs with 74% voter approval; and the creation of the Scott community. College Urban Campus in downtown Davenport.

Gallagher noted that the EICC has a reputation that will attract high-profile candidates for the chancellor position.

“Doucette leaves behind a legacy of success and a very talented faculty and staff, which I am confident will take the DART to the next level,” he said. “I am convinced that we will have an exceptional pool of candidates. “

For more information visit eicc.edu.