The president’s office at Jefferson Davis Community College will soon have a new resident.

Dr. Daniel Bain of Kansas has been named president after being recommended for the spot by Dr. Freida Hill, chancellor of post-secondary education, during Thursday’s meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education.

Kathleen Hall has served as interim president for the college since Dr. Susan McBride retired from the position last December.

“We are excited that Dr. Bain was named president of the college,” Hall said. “We are looking forward to working with him and his leadership opportunities he will bring to the college.”
Bain competed against a pool of more than 50 applicants for the position and survived through to the final interviews with Hill in Montgomery. Two other candidates were interviewed by the chancellor, including Dr. Barbara Beebe of Maryland and Dr. Angeline Godwin of Mississippi.

Bain currently serves as president of Independence Community College in Independence, Kan., and is expected to take his position in Brewton after the first of the year.

“We have received word that Dr. Bain will begin his presidency here Feb. 1, 2012,” Hall said.

Bain was named one of five finalists for the position last month and was invited to a round of interviews by the JDCC presidential search committee on the Brewton campus. He remained on the list when it was narrowed to three names to be presented to the chancellor for interviews and a recommendation to the board.

During interviews with a local search committee earlier this month, Bain said he takes a hands-on approach in any position he holds.

“I like to visit with the people and see what is needed,” Bain told the committee, made up of community and college representatives. “I have lunch with students and get to know them to see what is going on. Part of the ability to improve depends on delivery. Student success is behind everything we do. I would love to be able to capitalize on what you already have here and use it to expand.”

Bain, who has held his current position in Kansas since 2008, has also served as director of telelearning services at St. Louis Community College in Missouri, distance education facilitator and faculty at Pitt Community College in North Carolina; and has held a number of faculty and adjunct positions at colleges including Columbus State College, Delaware Joint Vocational School in Delaware, the Institute of Computer Technology in Los Angeles, Calif.; and served as a management analyst for the City of Los Angeles.

His involvement in community and business leadership positions is also extensive including his current position as chairman of the board of directors for the Independence Chamber of Commerce. He has been involved in economic, service and cultural organizations throughout his career.

Bain holds a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, a master of science degree from East Carolina University and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Iowa.