Joyce Helens recommended as St. Cloud Technical College president

Posted: March 20, 2006

Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H. McCormick said today he will recommend that the Board of Trustees appoint Joyce Helens as president of St. Cloud Technical College. The chancellor's recommendation will be considered by the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting Wednesday.

Helens, 55, has served as executive director of the University of Alaska Corporate Programs since 1999. Helens was one of three finalists recommended to the chancellor by a search committee headed by Jim Johnson, president of Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical.

"I'm pleased to recommend that Joyce Helens join our system's leadership team," McCormick said. "I'm confident that her energy, passion and leadership skills will serve St. Cloud Technical College very well as it continues moving forward."

Prior to 1999, Helens was the associate dean for instruction and dean at the University of Alaska Anchorage; president of Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Wash.; executive dean of Collin County Community College, McKinney, Texas; and director of instruction and Maywood Park Center Campus at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore.

She has pursued doctoral studies in higher education administration at Portland State University and has a master's degree in English from Portland State University and a bachelor's degree in English from St. Martin's College in Lacey, Wash.

The new president will replace Joan Volkmuth, who has served as president since 1997 and is retiring. St. Cloud Technical College serves more than 4,800 students in credit courses annually and provides a wide variety of educational programs and delivery options. The appointment would become effective July 1.