RH Perry & Associates Assists Illinois Central College with President Search
March 24, 2026 – Following a comprehensive national search, RH Perry & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Jamonica Rolle as the next president of Illinois Central College (ICC). Senior consultants Jessie Thompson and Charlene Newkirk led the assignment. The presidential search included a national recruitment effort and engagement with campus and community stakeholders. Feedback from faculty, staff, students, and community members informed the board’s final decision.
“Dr. Rolle is a highly accomplished leader with 20 years of progressive experience across all aspects of a community college,” said Cindy Byrd, chair of the board of trustees. “Her strengths and qualifications clearly align with ICC’s mission and current priorities as evident in her strong commitment to student success, workforce development, and community impact. Her proven ability as a collaborative, innovative leader will also guide the college into its next era of excellence and community service. The board looks forward to partnering with Dr. Rolle in supporting and advancing ICC’s vision and mission.”
Dr. Rolle will assume the role on July 1 and will lead ICC’s continued advancement as a regional leader in student success, workforce development, and economic vibrancy. The board’s decision reflects Dr. Rolle’s demonstrated ability to deliver measurable outcomes in student achievement, strengthen workforce-aligned programming, and build partnerships that support employers and communities. She will guide ICC’s next phase of strategic growth, expanding access, strengthening transfer and career pathways, and advancing the college’s impact across Central Illinois.
Dr. Rolle currently serves as college provost and senior vice president of academic affairs and college operations at Broward College, where she leads the academic and operational strategy of an institution serving 52,000 students and 1,100 faculty members. With more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience, she has served as campus president, vice provost, and dean. Her work has advanced student retention initiatives, developmental education reform, and strategic partnerships that support local and state economic development.
“I am truly honored and excited to serve as Illinois Central College’s sixth president, and I extend my sincere gratitude to the board of trustees, the search committee, and the entire ICC community for this opportunity to serve,” said Dr. Rolle. “ICC is a thriving college with deep community roots and a proud record of student success. I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, and community partners to advance student learning, expand life outcomes, and continue driving innovation and opportunity throughout the region.”
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Illinois Central College is a comprehensive community college located in East Peoria, Illinois, serving the greater Peoria region through campuses in East Peoria, Peoria, and Pekin. Established in 1967, ICC provides accessible, affordable education and workforce training to more than 8,000 students annually. The college offers a wide range of associate degrees, certificates, transfer programs, and career-focused pathways in areas such as healthcare, manufacturing, business, and information technology. Committed to student success and regional economic development, ICC partners closely with local employers, high schools, and universities to create seamless transitions from education to employment.
Proven Experience in Academic Executive Search
Established in 1974, RH Perry & Associates offers strong credentials and experience in academic executive search, having completed well over 1,000 searches in its history. Serving both two-year and four-year institutions, the firm’s higher education practice consists of senior-level executives with a well-balanced mix of college and university presidential and senior administrative experience and executive search expertise. Headquartered in Ashville, NC, RH Perry’s consultants maintain offices in Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Mr. Thompson, director of community college searches, has led, or participated in, a wide range of presidential and senior administrative higher education searches. His experience spans large and small, urban, suburban and rural institutions nationwide. Mr. Thompson has provided services to both single and multi-campus institutions. His experience in higher education includes a combination of more than 40 years in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Michigan of senior-level administration, community college trustee service, and college teaching experience.
Ms. Newkirk has served at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pittsburgh, PA, as a campus president since march 2009 and, in July 2019, assumed responsibility as the southeast regional president, overseeing Boyce and South Campuses and Braddock Hills and Washington County Centers. In June 2024, she retired from CCAC. Her experience of many years in progressively responsible roles as a college administrator and educator at large public research institutions as well as small public and private colleges, including the University of Pittsburgh, Florida State University, Arizona State University, the College of Southern Maryland, Oberlin College, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland, combined with her experiences as an executive at CCAC, has made her a well-respected and seasoned professional in higher-education administration.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
