Seabrooks appointed president of MCC-Penn Valley

MCC Chancellor Mark James has appointed Joseph Seabrooks, Jr., Ph.D., as president of MCC-Penn Valley.

Seabrooks has served as interim president of MCC-Penn Valley since December. He joined the five-campus college district in 2007 as president of MCC-Blue River. He has retained the MCC-Blue River presidency during his time as interim president of MCC-Penn Valley.

“During his interim assignment at MCC-Penn Valley, Dr. Seabrooks demonstrated a passion and vision that made it obvious he was the perfect person to assume the presidency of the Penn Valley campus,” said James. “I am confident that this appointment will mean great things for MCC-Penn Valley.”

Seabrooks will hold the interim presidency of MCC-Blue River until a permanent president is appointed. The college district will soon initiate a national search process to fill that position.

Seabrooks is well respected in the higher education community, having earned a number of local and regional awards for educational leadership. He spent 10 years at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in various roles, including director of minority student affairs and assistant director of alumni and constituent relations. He also worked at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville as assistant vice chancellor for student affairs before joining Metropolitan Community College.

Seabrooks earned four degrees from UMKC: an interdisciplinary doctorate in urban leadership and policy studies and education administration; an education specialist degree; a master's degree in higher education administration; and a bachelor's degree in psychology. He is a vocal advocate for urban higher education.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to play a significant role in building upon MCC-Penn Valley’s legacy of empowering students to make their aspirations and dreams permanent realities,” said Seabrooks.

Seabrooks' apppointment is effective today, Tuesday, April 26, 2011.