BATON ROUGE, LA — Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) proudly announces that its Chancellor, Dr. Willie E. Smith Sr., has been elected as an Institutional Representative to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). He will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2024.
The AACC serves as the main advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges, representing over 1,000 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and nearly 12 million students. The AACC Board, composed of 32 members, governs on behalf of these institutions to uphold and advance the organization’s vision and standards. The Board also provides a voice for the community college mission as they work to shape the educational landscape of community and technical colleges across the United States.
As a board member, Dr. Smith will play an important role in national policy discussion, promoting community colleges as the premier workforce development providers in America. Those discussions will also influence and advance the development of community and technical colleges at the state level, benefiting not only BRCC but all colleges within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, which are also member institutions of the AACC.
“I am deeply honored to have been elected by my peers to serve on the AACC Board of Directors,” said Smith. “This role is a unique opportunity to support the overall community college mission and advocate for transformative policies that enhance the educational framework for community and technical colleges nationally, as well as in Louisiana. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to push forward initiatives that strengthen our colleges' capabilities to serve our communities effectively.”
“We are proud that Chancellor Smith has been voted by his peers across the country to serve on the AACC board. His election to the board is a testament to his exemplary leadership and also reflects the caliber of BRCC and its impact on our students and our communities,” said Dr. Monty Sullivan, President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. “Chancellor Smith has a long history of service to the LCTCS, and his dedication to excellence will undoubtedly enrich the mission and advocacy efforts
of the AACC. We look forward to supporting his success on the national level as he helps to positively shape the future of technical and community colleges.”
Dr. Smith's extensive experience and commitment to educational excellence will make him a valuable addition to the AACC Board. His service on the Board is expected to have a lasting impact on the national advocacy efforts and the progression of community colleges throughout Louisiana.
Dr. Smith has worked within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for the past 23 years and has a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and achieving exceptional results. He currently serves as the sixth chancellor of BRCC and has been at the helm of the institution since June 2019. Chancellor Smith has played a key role in developing a culture of excellence and community engagement at BRCC. Under his leadership the college has experienced record enrollment growth, with the institution seeing its largest enrollment of 11,120 students this past fall and largest financial donation on record of $12 million from Our Lady of the Lake Health System.