Update: November 27, 2024
Dr. Ian Roark has withdrawn from the search. Dr. Perey will now interview on Wednesday, December 4. Please use the following information to update your schedules.
November 20, 2024
Cochise College has selected three finalists in its extensive nationwide search for the college’s next president and CEO, marking a significant moment in its leadership transition. The Governing Board invites the community to participate in an important selection process by attending public forums scheduled for early December.
The forums will provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and the public to meet and engage with each finalist. These events will be held at both the Douglas Campus and Sierra Vista Campus.
For those unable to attend the forums in person, the Sierra Vista Campus forum will have a Zoom option available, and the sessions will also be recorded.
The finalists are:
Dr. James Perey, Wednesday, December 4. Sierra Vista Campus Zoom link.
Douglas Campus: Administration Building, Room 101 at 10:15 a.m.
Sierra Vista Campus: Student Union, Community Room at 2:30 p.m.
Dr. James Perey serves as the executive vice president for academics at Cochise College. He is an experienced educator with over 27 years of leadership and teaching experience across K-12 and higher education. At Cochise College, Dr. Perey is the chief academic officer overseeing academic, career and technical education and workforce development programs, guiding strategic priorities and goals on student success. He provides leadership and innovation for various credit and non-credit programs.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Perey is dedicated to service and community engagement. He is the chair-elect of the Sky Islands Regional Partnership (formerly the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce). He also represents Cochise County on the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism, and Film Authority board and serves on other local and state boards. As an alumnus of the project CENTRL leadership program, Harvard Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, and Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, Dr. Perey brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his roles.
An Arizona native and U.S. Army veteran, he holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University. Dr. Perey resides in Sierra Vista with his wife, Jessica, and their daughters, Hayden and Brooke.
Dr. Justin Hoggard, Thursday, December 5. Sierra Vista Campus Zoom link.
Douglas Campus: Administration Building, Room 101 at 10:15 a.m.
Sierra Vista Campus: Student Union, Community Room at 2:30 p.m.
Dr. Justin Hoggard became Coastal Bend College’s (CBC) seventh president in November 2019. Before he became president at CBC, he was the chief academic officer (CAO) and dean of instruction at Three Rivers College (TRC) in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He held teaching and numerous administrative roles at TRC over his nearly 20-year career serving higher learning institutions primarily in rural areas. As CAO, Dr. Hoggard was responsible for academic programming and workforce development at the Poplar Bluff campus as well as at TRC’s locations in Dexter, Kennett, and Sikeston, Missouri.
Dr. Hoggard has become an active member of the community as he serves on several economic development projects, including the Bee Area Partnership, the Bee Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Directors for the Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend area. He also serves as the President of the National Junior Athletic Association Region XIV athletic conference. He has been a peer reviewer at the Higher Learning Commission and, most recently, for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Dr. Hoggard holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in history, a specialist in Community College Teaching, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership. Most recently, he completed an Executive Leadership certificate from Cornell University.
Dr. Hoggard and his wife, Lori, a social worker, have been married for over 30 years. They have three children: Dylan, a recent graduate of Iowa Law; Zachary, a financial advisor; and Lilly, a CBC graduate currently enrolled at Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
The community is invited to attend the forums in person or watch online via Zoom. The college encourages the public to provide feedback through a survey provided during the forums for each candidate or by emailing cochise.pressearch@cochise.edu. All feedback must be submitted no later than 8 a.m. on Friday, December 6, and will be shared with the Governing Board Members as they consider each candidate for the position.
For additional information visit www.cochise.edu/president-search.