A. James Kerley, Ph.D.
The following is biographical information on Dr. A. James “Jim” Kerley, who became the fifth president of Gulf Coast Community College on June 1, 2007.
Education
Dr. Kerley holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Educational Administration and Supervision of Higher Education from Florida State University; a Master of Arts in Teaching in History from The Citadel; and a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences/ History/Secondary Education from Tennessee Tech University.
Professional Employment
Dr. Kerley has 28 years of experience as a higher education professional, with 20 of those years as a community college president.
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2007 – |
President, Gulf Coast Community College, Panama City, Florida |
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1998 – 2007 |
President, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington, Kentucky |
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1989 – 1998 |
President, Hopkinsville Community College, Kentucky |
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1986 – 1989 |
Academic Dean, Madisonville Community College, Kentucky |
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1983 – 1986 |
Chair and Professor, Undergraduate Teacher Education Program, Union College, Barbourville, Kentucky |
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1982 – 1983 |
Instructor, Valdosta State College, Georgia |
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1980 – 1982 |
Adjunct Professor and Graduate Assistant for the Student |
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Teaching Office, Florida State University |
Current and Past Boards/Community Involvements
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Executive Leadership Team, American Heart Association |
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Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors |
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Bay County Economic Development Alliance, Board of Directors
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Bay Defense Alliance, Member |
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Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors |
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Panama City Rotary Club, Member |
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Board of Governors for Kentucky and West Virginia’s Alliance for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Project, a partnership with the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and other regional universities in Kentucky and West Virginia (funded by the National Science Foundation) |
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Leadership Kentucky Board |
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Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce Board |
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Mayor’s Task Force for the 2010 Equestrian Games of Lexington |
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Mayor’s Hispanic Task Force for Lexington/Fayette County, Co-chair |
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United Way Board for the Bluegrass |
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Heart Board for the Bluegrass Region, Chair of Heart Walk |
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Kentucky Coalition of Community and Justice Board |
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American Red Cross Bluegrass Region Board |
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Hopkinsville Christian County Minority Affairs Board |
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Hopkinsville Christian County Economic Development Board |
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Association of United States Army Board |
Recognition and Awards
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Leadership Kentucky Recognition Service Award
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Kentucky Humanitarian Award for Bluegrass Community and Technical College outreach into the region and community |
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Business of the Year Award for Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Winchester/Clark County for Lexington Community College |
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Special Recognition Award by University of Kentucky for African American Minority Outreach |
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Hispanic Outreach Award by Bluegrass Hispanic Association |
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Commander’s Award for Support of Soldiers and Family Members at Fort Campbell |
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