Chancellor to Retire

Vice Chancellor/Chancellor Designee Mark James

Missouri College Media Award: Third Place, Newswriting

Jackie Snyder, who has served as chancellor of Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City since 2005, has announced that she will retire on June 30, 2010.

The college’s Board of Trustees announced that the Vice Chancellor Mark James has been named to succeed her. 

“Dr. Snyder is an outstanding leader,” said Longview President Fred Grogan. “I’m sad to see her leave that role, but glad she now has time to focus on enjoying life.” 

During her 15 years at MCC, Snyder said she has worked to facilitate improvements in the enrollment process and Student Services, and most recently was a major supporter for the development and construction of the Health and Sciences building opening this semester at Penn Valley as well as the Institute for Workforce Innovation. 

Kim Darbonne, a Student Services Assistant, said that she understands why Snyder has elected to retire. “Everyone either moves on or moves up,” Darbonne said. 

With a nearly half a year left before Snyder’s departure, her successor Mark James is working closely with the chancellor, both to ensure a smooth administrative transition and to gain a stronger understanding of his new position. 

Before coming to MCC in 2008, James served as Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the state of Missouri. The Board of Trustees selected James in part for his financial expertise and direct experience with state and federal government appropriations. 

Even so, James said he is intent on continuing Snyder’s commitment to the students of Metropolitan Community College. 

“For me, personally, the bottom line of every conversation and every decision we end up making is processed upon the question, are we doing the best for our students? That will guide my thoughts and my decisions,” he said.