Dr. Cathy Kemper-Pelle is president emeritus of Rogue Community College and a first-generation community college graduate.
She served as faculty, department chair, academic dean, institutional research and accreditation dean, academic vice president, and college president/CEO, working directly with Achieving the Dream since 2007.
As president, Dr. Kemper-Pelle navigated the COVID-19 crisis, regional wildfires, and resulting enrollment and economic impacts. Student homelessness and food insecurity were key student success initiatives. Her program prioritization process transformed college budgeting and strengthened its financial position.
Her entrepreneurial approach led to a Department of Institutional Research and seed funding to support equity work through Achieving the Dream and Guided Pathways, the Pathways to Opportunity/STEP Program, expanded workforce development programs, a teaching and learning center, and multiple K–12 and university partnerships.
Dr. Kemper-Pelle completed a $38M capital construction project, which included centers for high-tech, fire science, fine arts, health professions, science, and two campus master plans. She led two comprehensive strategic planning processes as well as policy and procedure review and updates as part of a statewide initiative. She also transitioned the college to the Northwestern Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) 2020 standards and successfully completed the seven-year reaccreditation process with commendations.
Education:
Ed.D.(Educational Administration) | The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
M.S. (Biological Sciences) |Illinois State University, Normal, IL
B.S. (Biological Sciences) | Illinois State University, Normal, IL
A.S. (General Studies) | Illinois Central College, E. Peoria, IL
Past Experience:
President | Rogue Community College, Grants Pass, OR
Vice President of Learning | Lee College, Baytown, TX
Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation | Blinn College, Brenham, TX
Dean of Academic Affairs |Blinn College, Brenham, TX
Interim Vice President for Teaching and Learning Services | Tarrant County College, Arlington, TX
How has education changed your life/your family?
My parents’ dream for me was no college. I dreamed of being an environmental research scientist. Without money or parental support, I attended my local community college, where I found amazing academic support, leadership opportunities, and faculty who believed in my dream. Their support provided a foundation I could build on to succeed, and I graduated from college debt free and gainfully employed in my field. I challenged my children to take this route, and they graduated with bachelor’s degrees and no debt. They tell me regularly how grateful they are for their community college experiences. Our teachers cared.