Coffeyville, KS — Coffeyville Community College (CCC) announces that Dr. Aron Potter, Vice President of Academic Services, has been appointed as the eighth President of John Wood Community College (JWCC) in Quincy, Illinois. Dr. Potter will complete her tenure at CCC on February 28, 2026, and will officially begin her new position on March 2, 2026. She will also make history as the first woman to serve as President of John Wood Community College.
Dr. Potter has served as Vice President of Academic Services at Coffeyville Community College since 2015, bringing a decade of leadership focused on academic quality, student success, and institutional growth. As a member of the President’s Leadership Team, she coordinated all aspects of accreditation, assessed academic programs, and supervised a wide range of academic and student support services, including institutional effectiveness, library services, advising, counseling, financial aid, admissions, concurrent and dual enrollment, the Student Success Center, recruiting, and fine arts.
One of Dr. Potter’s most significant contributions to CCC was her leadership during the recent reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. Following a comprehensive site visit in November 2024, CCC’s accreditation was reaffirmed through the 2034–2035 academic year. The peer review team concluded that the college met all federal compliance standards and described this review as the strongest CCC has received in over 25 years. They highlighted strengths in areas such as student learning and success, faculty-led assessment, shared governance, and financial stability. Preparations for the review began more than two years in advance and were led by Dr. Potter in collaboration with faculty and staff across campus.
“We are excited for Dr. Potter as she moves onto the next stage of her professional career as a community college President,” said CCC President Dr. Marlon Thornburg. “She has been integral in the recent 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation for CCC, and her knowledge and expertise with the Higher Learning Commission will be missed. Dr. Potter has made a significant impact on many projects and activities during her tenure at CCC, and we wish her the best in this new endeavor.”
Under Dr. Potter's leadership, Coffeyville Community College achieved record enrollment growth. According to the Kansas Board of Regents 2025 Fall Preliminary Enrollment Summary, CCC reported an 11.4 percent increase in headcount enrollment, marking the highest growth of any community college in Kansas and the largest one-year increase the institution has experienced in over a decade. This growth was fueled by the expansion of technical and workforce programs, the introduction of new academic pathways, and ongoing efforts to enhance student-centered recruitment and retention.
“Although we will miss Aron at CCC, the Board is excited for this new opportunity for her professionally,” said CCC Board Chair Becky Barnhart. “Under her leadership at CCC, we’ve witnessed growth in enrollment and student services activities, in addition to the successful 10-year HLC accreditation achievement. Her vision for improving programs and activities at CCC has been invaluable.”
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Potter championed initiatives that expanded academic partnerships and strengthened transfer opportunities for students. She was instrumental in developing the articulation agreement with the University of Central Missouri that provides a seamless transfer pathway from CCC’s Associate in Arts in Sociology/Social Work to UCM’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology, ensuring efficient credit transfer and reduced time to degree completion. She also led the launch of CCC’s Systemwide Elementary Education (PK-6) Pathway, creating a clear transfer route to Kansas Regent Institutions.
In addition, Dr. Potter played a central role in establishing CCC as a partner institution in the Kansas City University Rural Health Scholars Program, an accelerated pathway that supports rural students pursuing careers in medicine and dentistry. Her leadership extended to the arts as well, with the creation of Coffeyville Community College’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the college’s visual and performing arts.
Beyond academic programs and partnerships, Dr. Potter’s leadership also shaped physical spaces that support student success, including the development of the Linda Moley Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), a modern, student-centered facility designed to promote academic success through tutoring and learning resources. Located on the second floor of the Russell H. Graham Library, the ACE room was made possible through a state student success grant and reflects CCC’s commitment to enhancing student support services. Dr. Potter guided the project from planning through implementation, ensuring the space aligned with the college’s broader goals of accessibility, student success, and academic excellence.
Dr. Potter’s influence in higher education has been recognized through numerous honors. In 2022, she was inducted into the Culver-Stockton College Education Hall of Excellence, recognizing her leadership, vision, and dedication to student development. She was previously inducted into the Culver-Stockton College Athletic Hall of Fame as both an individual and a team member. Additionally, she served as the Lady Ravens Softball Head Coach at Coffeyville Community College from 2002 to 2005.
Dr. Potter’s appointment as President of John Wood Community College follows a comprehensive national search and a unanimous vote by the JWCC Board of Trustees. As JWCC’s eighth President and the first woman to hold this role, she will lead the institution into a new era of leadership while returning to the region she calls home.
Coffeyville Community College expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Potter for her years of dedicated service and leadership. Her legacy at CCC is evident in strengthened academic programs, successful accreditation outcomes, enrollment growth, expanded student pathways, and enhanced campus resources.
Reflecting on her time at CCC, Dr. Potter shared her appreciation for the community that shaped her journey. “I would like to thank the Red Raven Family for making me part of such a special campus community—the relationships I have cultivated run deep,” she said. “I would also like to thank the community of Coffeyville for embracing an outsider and making this small, tight-knit community home.” While her role may change, one thing remains the same: she will always be part of the Red Raven family. Once a Raven, always a Raven.