By Tuyen Anh Hoang

Staff Writer

New Dallas County Community College District chancellor Dr. Joe May said his hope is that the community will recognize Brookhaven College as a welcoming institution where people can learn, grow and develop to improve the quality of their lives.

May arrived at Brookhaven April 17, 2014, for his first official visit to the college.

According to the DCCCD web- site, May served as chancellor of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for seven years and began his career in higher education as an adjunct faculty member at Cedar Valley College in 1978.

May started his tenure as the college district’s new chancellor on Feb. 26, 2014, according to dcccd.edu.

May said his experience as a faculty member allowed him to understand the lives of students and the challenges they face regarding hopes, their dreams and aspirations. He said he realized the significance of education is that it not only impacts the lives of individuals but their families and communities.

George T. Herring, vice president for business services, said he is excited for new directions and changes. Herring said: “I think it’s terrific. I think we’re all glad to finally get to meet with the new chancellor and have [him] come out and see our beautiful campus.”

Jamie Jenkins, coordinator of Workforce and Continuing Education, has worked at Brookhaven 23 years and was involved in planning for the reception. Jenkins said, “I’m just interested to see what he has to say – his philosophy of workforce training and what he says we can do out there in the community to build our pro- gram.”

Dr. Thom D. Chesney, Brookhaven president, said DCCCD staff and faculty continue to support May’s role. Chesney said he believes May’s message reaches beyond his local and national role to incorporate all of the excellent programs and centers within the district.

Sarah A. Ferguson, executive dean of educational resources, said the event was a great opportunity to meet with the new chancellor and her colleagues as well. Ferguson said she is looking forward to the change with a new enthusiasm. “He comes with a really strong Workforce Continuing Education back- ground, and I think that’s great to have that background, especially if we’re trying to help students find careers and jobs afterward,” Ferguson said.