Jimmy Hodges has been appointed interim president at Calhoun Community College in Decatur. Hodges succeeds Joe Burke, who announced his retirement in late May, after almost 35 years with the Alabama Community College System. Hodges’ first day in his new role was yesterday, June 1.
Calhoun Community College is the largest public community college in Alabama, as ranked by student enrollment, with more than 9,000 students annually being served.
Hodges has 40 years of higher education experience, including work in administration, manufacturing, and drafting and design technology. He previously served as regional workforce director for the Alabama Community College System and as dean of applied technologies at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.
“Dr. Hodges’ familiarity with the ACCS, coupled with his skills and industry experience, makes him an ideal leader during this time of transition,” said Jimmy Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System., adding that Hodges’ “commitment to student success is evident and his work to improve the lives of Alabama’s students will be well received at Calhoun.”
Hodges began his career as a machinist and served in various manufacturing industry roles for the better part of 20 years. In 2000, he built on that experience to begin training the next generation as a drafting instructor at the Earnest Pruett Center of Technology. He then joined Wallace State as drafting department chair and instructor and was later named dean of applied technologies.
Hodges earned a diploma in machine shop technology from Wallace State and an associate of applied science in machine tool technology from Calhoun. He also holds bachelor’s degrees in career and technical education and in management of technology from Athens State University, as well as a master’s in educational leadership and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Alabama.
“Alabama’s community colleges are the gateway to a better future for tens of thousands of students each year and Calhoun delivers on that promise throughout North Alabama,” Hodges said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity and I look forward to working alongside the talented faculty, staff and administrators at the state’s largest community college.”
