Richland Community College Announces Finalists for VP of Academic Services and VP of Student Success
Decatur, IL – Richland Community College is announcing the finalists for the College’s Vice President of Academic Services (VPAS) and Vice President of Student Success (VPSS) positions.
“We have had an exceptional pool of applicants interested in leading our Academic Services and Student Success divisions,” said Amy Snow, Director of Human Resources at Richland. “The people chosen for these leadership roles will exemplify the core values of the College in their work, laying the road map so everyone on our team – faculty and staff – can give students the best educational experience. We look forward to making the final decision soon.”
After a final round of interviews, Richland Community College plans to make a formal announcement, introducing the newest leaders to the community before the start of the Fall 2026 semester in mid-August.
About the Candidates
Dr. Kerry Levett (Finalist for VP of Student Success)
Dr. Kerry Lynn Levett is a collaborative, student-centered leader with more than two decades of experience strengthening community colleges through integrated academic and student affairs leadership. Kerry began her career as a faculty member, grounding her leadership in the realities of teaching and learning. She has since served in executive roles overseeing academic affairs, student services, enrollment management, and institutional effectiveness. Most recently, as Vice President for Student Learning and Success at Cascadia College, she led initiatives that reversed a five-year enrollment decline, strengthened Guided Pathways implementation, expanded workforce partnerships, and built a culture of collaboration across academic and student services divisions.
Dr. Tamika Thomas (Finalist for VP of Student Success)
Dr. Tamika Thomas, MBA, CTRP-E, serves as Director of CEJA at Richland Community College, where she leads workforce development initiatives that connect students to education, industry-recognized credentials, and career opportunities. She also serves as an adjunct professor, maintaining a direct connection to the student experience. Dr. Thomas is passionate about creating pathways that remove barriers to student success and empower learners to achieve their educational and career goals. An active community leader, Dr. Thomas serves on the Macon County Continuum of Care Governing Board, the Decatur Memorial Foundation Board, the Decatur Area Arts Council Board, and the Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski Service Academy Board.
Dr. Justin Willis (Finalist for VP of Student Success)
Dr. Justin Willis is an innovative leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing student success through strategic enrollment and student services leadership, organizational innovation, and collaborative partnerships. He currently serves as Executive Director of Admissions, Recruitment, Financial Aid, and Veterans Services at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP), leading a team of over 30 professionals. Throughout his career, Dr. Willis has championed initiatives that strengthen institutions while expanding educational opportunity — including tuition promise programs, a statewide direct admissions initiative representing UWSP among participating UW System institutions, and strategic partnerships with employers, school districts, community organizations, and higher education institutions to improve student access, success, and pathways to degrees and careers.
Andy Hynds (Finalist for VP of Academic Services)
Andy Hynds has dedicated more than 20 years to education, with nearly 18 years of service at Richland Community College. He has served as the Dean of Math and Sciences for the past 12 years, where he provides leadership for academic programs, faculty, strategic initiatives, and institutional planning. He also served as Executive Dean of Academics for nearly three years, which included serving as the main academic contact for all dual credit programs, serving in a supportive role for all academic deans, and providing executive-level academic leadership and supporting institutional decision-making. Before entering administration, Andy served as a Mathematics instructor at Richland, Illinois State University, and Decatur Public Schools.
Dr. Tasha Jones (Finalist for VP of Academic Services)
Dr. Tasha D. Jones is an accomplished higher education leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing academic excellence and student success through collaborative leadership. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and has built her career on the belief that strong institutions are created through partnerships among faculty, staff, students, and the communities they serve. As Dean of Allied Health Professions at Richland Community College, Dr. Jones provides strategic leadership for academic programs that prepare students for careers in high demand in healthcare. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside faculty to strengthen curriculum, improve assessment practices, advance accreditation efforts, and develop academic programs that respond to evolving workforce and community needs.
Dr. Sheldon Walcher (Finalist for VP of Academic Services)
Dr. Sheldon R. Walcher has nearly three decades of experience in higher education, including more than a decade in community college administration. His work has focused on strengthening teaching and learning, improving student success, and helping colleges build strong partnerships with the diverse communities they serve. Most recently, Dr. Walcher served as Provost and Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs at Morton College, where he oversaw the college’s instructional and student services divisions. Previously, he served as Dean of Communication Arts, Humanities, and Fine Arts at the College of Lake County and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kankakee Community College.
