New president named at Shelton State Community College

Ken Roberts, Tuscaloosa News
Updated ·2 min read

Shelton State Community College’s new president will assume his duties Nov. 15.

The appointment of Jonathan P. Koh was approved Wednesday during a meeting of the Alabama Community College board of trustees.

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Koh is a Mobile native and University of Alabama graduate who now serves as Shelton State’s dean of workforce and economic development.

“Shelton State Community College is home, and I consider it one of the greatest honors to be able to lead such a dedicated team that is committed to ensuring the success of every student who chooses Shelton State as part of their educational experience,” Koh said in a news release announcing his appointment as the school’s president.

Jonathan P. Koh will assume duties as Shelton State Community College's president on Nov. 15, 2023.
Jonathan P. Koh will assume duties as Shelton State Community College's president on Nov. 15, 2023.

Koh replaces Chris Cox, who accepted a position with the Alabama Community College System as systemwide vice chancellor of instruction, research and development.

Jimmy H. Baker, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, said Koh has nurtured relationships with businesses, industries and members of the Tuscaloosa area community in his past roles at Shelton State.

“Dr. Koh knows the college, the communities it serves, K-12, business and industry, and, similar to others throughout the Alabama Community College System, he knows what it takes to continue our mission of making education available for everyone,” Baker said.

Koh served Shelton State’s director of grants and governmental relations before his appointment as dean of workforce and economic development.

According to the news release, 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.

Koh came to Shelton State after serving as research coordinator for the University’s Education Policy Center from 2012-15.

As a student at UA, Koh earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science, a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in higher education administration and a doctorate in higher education with a concentration in higher education policy. His dissertation focused on a decade of nationwide trends in public community college finance relating to student access and state support for the nation’s two-year institutions.

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

Graduates line up to have their official portraits taken at Shelton State before the spring commencement Friday, May 5, 2023.
Graduates line up to have their official portraits taken at Shelton State before the spring commencement Friday, May 5, 2023.

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 said he is eager to begin his new role as Shelton State president.

“I appreciate the confidence from Chancellor Baker to continue to move the college’s impact forward in our community,” he said.

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Jonathan Koh selected as president at Shelton State Community College