Jackson State Community College gets new president

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson State Community College officially has a new president.

The Tennessee Board of Regents came together Thursday afternoon via conference call to vote for who will be the fifth president at JSCC. After a long selection process and 51 candidates from the across the country, the unanimous vote went to Dr. Allana Hamilton.

“I’m pleased to recommend to you today, Dr. Allana Hamilton, as our next president at Jackson State Community College,” said David Gregory, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

“I understand that this is a huge responsibility and I’m truly aware of that,” Dr. Hamilton said. “And I appreciate the opportunity.”

Dr. Hamilton has a master of science and a doctorate in education. She has been a volunteer instructor for the American Red Cross and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and currently is vice president for academic affairs at Northeast State Community College. Her colleagues there in Blountville say they are sad to see her go.

“She is a wonderful, very passionate, hard-working individual that we just think the world of here in East Tennessee, and we’re going to miss her dearly,” said Richard Smith of the Board of Regents. “But we’re willing to give her up for the greater cause.”

And JSCC faculty say they expect her to bring great things to the campus.

“Her personality and working with people, I think, is going to be a very good thing for us,” JSCC Interim President Horace Chase said. “So I think that, with the leadership that she provides, I think will be great for us.”