Blue Mountain Community College Board of Trustees have unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Dennis Bailey-Fougnier as the college’s seventh president. Dr. Connie Green will remain the institution’s interim president until Bailey-Fougnier begins his new role on May 1.
“I am honored to be the new president of Blue Mountain Community College,” Bailey-Fougnier said. “I am very excited to join the exceptional team at BMCC and to work with them and the community to enhance the educational opportunities for our students. I am looking forward to working with the community to find new avenues to grow our economy and workforce.”
Bailey-Fougnier joins BMCC from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction where he served as vice president of community college affairs and chief executive at Western Colorado Community College. At Western Colorado, Bailey-Fougnier led efforts to improve its enrollment rates by rebuilding, adding and expanding programs, according to the East Oregonian.
“Dennis brings a strong background in community colleges, and the ability to develop and foster relationships with the community,” said Blue Mountain board chair Chris Brown. “We are excited to bring his expertise and leadership to BMCC as we enter this new chapter.”
A Colorado-native, Bailey-Fougnier himself attended a community college. After receiving his associate’s, he received a bachelor’s degree at the University of Oregon, a master’s degree in education from Wichita State University and a doctorate in community college leadership from Oregon State University.
During a public forum that took place on the campus in February, Bailey-Fougnier shared his leadership philosophy and goals for the college with the audience.
He said he plans to look at innovative ways to grow the college, in areas like social media platforms, and determine how to increase the number of Native American and non-traditional students enrolled at the college. Bailey-Fougnier also said he would advocate for a formal agreement between the community college and Eastern Oregon University so that financial aid could be used at both schools.
The Blue Mountain board chose Bailey-Fougnier over three other finalists – Dr. Anthony Rosilez, executive director of the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practice Commisssion; Jeff Sherman, assistant director for Oregon State University Extension Service and Dr. George McNulty, vice president of student affairs at Colby Community College.
The board will discuss compensation contract details during its March 13 meeting.
