Dr. John Hogan Named NPCC Fourth President
Dr. John Hogan was selected to be the fourth President of National Park Community College during a special called meeting of the NPCC Executive Board of Directors on May 2. Hogan currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Ivy Tech Community College System in Indiana. NPCC had previously held an open forum on its campus for the top four presidential candidates to allow the faculty and staff an opportunity to get to know the candidates. Hogan introduced himself saying his personal priorities are God first, family second and work third. “That doesn’t mean I haven’t worked hard,” said Hogan. “In terms of profession, I have been in community college for a quarter of a century.” Hogan said he began working at a community college thinking he could get some good experience and then move on to something better. “What I found out,” said Hogan, “was that we were really making a difference. I got infected with community college work, ran into some folks that also believed in that mission and thought I had some things to offer.” Hogan earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from Indiana State University, a Master of Arts in Education in College Student Personnel Administration from Western Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Western Kentucky University. He previously served as the Chancellor of the Columbus/Franklin Region Campus before being promoted to the System Office. “I wake up every morning and think about the campus and it’s people and whether it is succeeding or what we can do to get better,” said Hogan. “Or, how we
can raise money or how we can get something started is just part of what I do.” Hogan said he is looking for the next challenge and that he wants to be somewhere where likeminded people, smart people, want to work together and get things done. Hogan said he was glad to see that NPCC was motivated to make things better for someone else. When asked how he would assure the College and its programs received adequate funding, Hogan replied, “I think the funding question is going to be the challenge. Telling the story is the way to meet that challenge. We have got to beat a path to Little Rock and to the State house to talk about our student success stories, talk about the value added that we have in the community, and not just trigger the facts of how this will spur economic development, but we have to trigger the heartstrings as well. We have to make that case to private donors, community leaders, workforce partners, other higher education partners, and K12 folks. And, one of the best ways to do that is to tell the story through alumni and through the students that are here and folks that have lived that.” In a prepared press release, Dr. Sally Carder said she was very excited about Hogan’s appointment as President. “I believe,” said Carder, “that he is a perfect fit for our College and community. With his education, experience, and talent, I have no doubt that he will build on our successes and take this College to the next level.” Hogan said he knows Carder’s legacy of leadership will not be easy to follow. “I am very anxious to get to Hot Springs,” said Hogan, “and get to work.”
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