06/09/2026
ILLINOIS EASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGES BOARD OF TRUSTEES SELECTS DR. TIMOTHY L. TAYLOR AS NEXT CHANCELLOR
Olney, Ill. -- The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees is expected to affirm the appointment of Dr. Timothy L. Taylor as the next Chancellor of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges at its June 16, 2026, meeting at Olney Central College. Dr. Taylor, who currently serves as President of Shawnee Community College, would assume the chancellorship on August 15, 2026, pending Board approval.
The selection follows several months of transition planning by the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth leadership transition following Chancellor Ryan Gower's retirement on June 30.
Dr. Taylor brings more than two decades of community college leadership experience to the position, including service as President of Shawnee Community College and previous leadership roles within Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his commitment to student success, workforce development, institutional effectiveness, strategic planning, and the mission of rural community colleges.
Board Chair Gary Carter said Dr. Taylor's experience, leadership style, and understanding of the region made him the clear choice to lead the institution into its next chapter.
"Tim understands our communities, our mission, and the important role community colleges play in creating opportunity," said Carter. "Over the past several years, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges has undertaken significant work to strengthen and position the institution for the future. The Board believes Tim has the experience, judgment, and leadership skills necessary to build upon that foundation and continue advancing IECC as one institution serving students and communities across all four campuses."
During his tenure at Shawnee Community College, Dr. Taylor led initiatives focused on strengthening institutional effectiveness, improving financial stability, enhancing strategic planning and accountability systems, expanding partnerships with schools and employers, securing investments in facilities and infrastructure, and increasing opportunities for students throughout the region.
Taylor said he is honored by the opportunity to serve Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and excited about the future of the institution.
"I am honored by the confidence the Board of Trustees has placed in me," said Taylor. "Illinois Eastern Community Colleges has a proud history of serving students and communities throughout southeastern Illinois. The institution is well-positioned for the future, and I look forward to working alongside the Board, employees, students, and community partners to build upon the strong foundation already in place. Together, we will continue expanding educational opportunities, strengthening our communities, and ensuring IECC remains responsive to the changing needs of the region we serve."
Board Chair Gary Carter also expressed appreciation for Dr. Gower's decade of leadership at IECC and more than thirty-one years of service to higher education.
"Ryan's tenure as Chancellor has transformed IECC," Carter said. "He led the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic, a successful accreditation reaffirmation, the implementation of Guided Pathways, the creation of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and the construction of seven new facilities across the district. He championed investment in our campuses, our employees, and our students. Most importantly, he led Illinois Eastern's transformation from a multi-college system into a single college operating across four campuses under a unified leadership structure and shared vision. His leadership has positioned IECC well for the future. The Board and I are grateful for Ryan's service and wish him and Tracey every happiness in retirement."
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges serves southeastern Illinois through Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Olney Central College in Olney, and Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel.
