Oakton's New President

(June 30, 2015) Former Vice President for Student Affairs Joianne Smith, Ph.D., took the helm as Oakton’s new president on July 1. Smith succeeds Margaret B. Lee, Ph.D., who retired on June 30, 2015, after 20 years of leading the College.

“I feel honored to have been selected as Oakton’s next president and am deeply committed to continuing the College’s tradition of student-centered and mission-driven leadership,” said Smith, a resident of Glenview. “I look forward to working closely with the Board of Trustees and the College community to continue to provide transformational educational opportunities to empower students and the larger community.”

The 14-member search committee for Oakton’s new president included a wide representation of students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni, as well as representatives from the Oakton Board of Trustees and Educational Foundation. After reviewing nearly 40 resumes from professionals around the country who applied to be Oakton’s next leader, the search committee interviewed nine candidates. Smith, along with one other finalist for the position, participated in rigorous daylong interview sessions that were open to all Oakton employees.

Smith earned a doctorate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, from which she also received her master of science degree. Prior to joining Oakton’s administration in July 2002, she served as assistant director of university residential life at Northwestern University. Earlier in her career, Smith was the dean of Brainerd Commons, a living-learning residential community at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. Her graduate and doctoral studies concentrated in counseling psychology, and she is a licensed clinical psychologist. Smith holds leadership positions in a number of national higher education associations, including the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. She also has been featured in several higher education periodicals for her innovative approaches to student success.

Oakton Community College District 535 serves more than 450,000 residents in the communities of Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, and parts of Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, and Rosemont. With campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie, in sites throughout the district, and via a robust online presence, Oakton offers associates degrees in 80 fields of study as well as learning opportunities for career advancement and personal enrichment.