New ACCS Leader

Alabama State Board of Education selects Heinrich to lead Alabama Community College System

The State Board of Education recently voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Mark A. Heinrich to lead the Alabama Community College System.

Dr. Mark A. Heinrich

Currently the president of Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, a position he has held since 2008, Heinrich had his second and final interview before the board on Thursday.

“I am truly humbled by the great level of confidence the Alabama State Board of Education members put in me today,” said Heinrich, upon learning of the board’s decision. “I love the Alabama Community College System and I believe in the work that we do. I am looking forward to meeting this new challenge head on and getting to work,” he added. “We have a lot of work ahead of us but with the support of the individuals within the System and at the Department of Postsecondary Education, we will get it done.”

Heinrich holds a doctorate in counseling from The University of Alabama, and earned B.S. and M.A. degrees in psychology from Tennessee Tech University. His higher education career spans more than 30 years, during which he’s held leadership roles in academic, student service and technical/vocational areas. During the time he was completing his graduate degree at The University of Alabama, Heinrich served on Coach Paul Bear Bryant’s staff as an academic counselor and tennis coach.

Before returning to Tuscaloosa in 2008 as president of Shelton State, Heinrich worked for Carson‐ Newman College in Jefferson City, TN as a faculty member and administrator. In addition to positions in academia, he worked as a private practitioner in psychology and serves on numerous community and academic boards.

Following today’s vote, Gov. Robert Bentley spoke of Heinrich’s ability to lead the System, saying, “We heard from two phenomenal candidates today. It was a very difficult decision, but when it came down to it, Dr. Heinrich had the knowledge and the experience that we were looking for to move this System forward. The job of being chancellor is no easy task but I know Dr. Heinrich is up for the challenge and he will get the job done.”

The Alabama State Board of Education selected candidates from Alabama, California, and Kansas as finalists for the position of chancellor of the System from among eight applicants who were recommended by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), the organization hired to conduct and guide the chancellor search.

Dr. Blake Flanders, vice president of Workforce Development for the Kansas Board of Regents, and Dr. Gregory Gray, chancellor of Riverside Community College District in California, were also selected for a second interview. Dr. Gray withdrew his name prior to the final interview.

The board complimented Flanders on his interest in the system and the perspective he provided based on his professional experiences. “I want to thank Dr. Flanders for going through the search and interview processes and I wish him all the best,” said Gov. Bentley.

Stephanie Bell, District III representative and vice president of the board, spoke of her confidence in the process that led to the board’s decision. “We have had the opportunity to interview outstanding individuals from across the country, making the decision more difficult than we anticipated. I believe that ultimately we have an outstanding chancellor who will work to bring people together and unite the System in a way we have not experienced before.”

Following today’s interview process, Gov. Bentley appointed a sub‐committee of the board tasked with negotiating the chancellor’s contract, which will be brought before the board on September 20.