'A change agent': Jonathan Koh takes reins as Shelton State president

Jonathan Koh, Shelton State Community College's new president, plans to maximize the college's impact in the community while also advancing Shelton State to the next level.

On Nov. 8, the Alabama Community College System board of trustees unanimously approved Koh as Shelton State's president during the board's regular meeting. Koh replaces Chris Cox, who accepted a position with the Alabama Community College System as systemwide vice chancellor of instruction, research and development.

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Koh said he considers Shelton State to be "home" and has been adjusting well to his new role as president due to his previous eight years of professional experience at the college, which is at 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa.

"I'm happy to support them and it's easy to support them when you know them and you love them and they treat you like family. So you feel like you're safe," Koh said.

Koh has served in multiple capacities at the college since 2015, and most recently as the college’s dean of workforce and economic development. Before that role, he served as director of grants and governmental relations.

Koh said he believes his experience in those roles has prepared him to succeed in the top leadership role at Shelton.

"I'm prepared to basically tell our story, build as much support as I can throughout the community, throughout the region and help us impact the state and impact our communities as best as we can," Koh said.

Shelton State serves more than 4,500 students in the Tuscaloosa area and includes liberal arts and registered nursing among its top programs.

The community college has a thriving athletic department with teams competing in men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball, along with a competitive cheerleading program that has earned 13 national championships. Its partnership with Theatre Tuscaloosa has generated two national awards.

Shelton State also hosts the annual Worlds of Work (WOW) Career and Industry Expo in conjunction with West Alabama Works. The expo gives K-12 students information about the types of careers and training available in West Alabama.

Koh, a native of Mobile and a University of Alabama graduate, began his career in education at UA, where he served as a research coordinator for the university’s Education Policy Center between 2012 and 2015.

In his previous roles at Shelton, Koh has led several strategies designed to expand the reach of the college’s 16 technical services and adult education programs, including co-enrollment pathways, nationally recognized work-based learning programs and on-demand incumbent worker training initiatives. He also oversaw the Shelton State’s pre-K program.

During his tenure as president at Shelton, Koh said one of his top priorities will be leading students to success through several initiatives including dual enrollment, which allows high school students to earn college credits.

"We're going to keep our foot on the gas as far as dual enrollment is concerned. That is a fantastic recruiting strategy," Koh said.

"It also helps create more efficiencies so students can get into the workforce, it saves them some funds (and) it saves their parents money," he said.

Koh said he also plans to maximize Shelton State's impact in the community and focus on preparing students for the demands of the work force.

"My strategic plan is to continue to push the needle, move the needle in all these different communities that we serve, and do our best to get the students out as quickly as possible to reach their goals or to continue on their journey," Koh said.

Koh comes from a family of educators, according to a news release from Shelton State. His grandfather was a high school principal and teacher, while his father taught elementary school. His wife, Ashley, is an elementary teacher. The Kohs have three boys.

In the Nov. 8 announcement of Koh's appointment, Jimmy H. Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, said Koh is well positioned to succeed in his new role.

“There is a level of confidence a community has to have in its community college to make a difference in the needs of the businesses, industry and residents who make up a region, and for years Dr. Koh has built and strengthened the relationships that are necessary for Shelton State to be a change agent in the lives of so many individuals,” Baker said.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Jonathan Koh spells out vision as Shelton State's new president