Colleagues,

I am excited to share Comanchette (Cami) McBee, M.Ed., will join Eastern Iowa Community Colleges as our next Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs beginning in mid-July.

Cami brings 14 years of community college experience across faculty and administrative leadership roles, with deep expertise in academic operations, accreditation, strategic planning, assessment, curriculum, and institutional effectiveness. She currently serves as Dean of Effectiveness, Social Sciences, Communication, and Business at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. In addition, Cami is currently pursuing her Ed.D. at Iowa State University, with an anticipated completion date this fall.

What stands out to me is not only her experience, but also the way she understands the community college mission. As a community college graduate herself, Cami brings a strong sense of service to our students and a clear appreciation for what our work can mean in someone’s life. Students come to us to build something better for their careers, their families, their confidence, and their future. It matters. And having leaders who understand this mission personally and professionally matters, too.

Cami also shared she is a faculty member at heart. She understands what it is like to be in the classroom and the important role our faculty play in helping students persist, grow, and succeed. Her experience includes both teaching within Arts and Sciences and leading Career and Technical programs, a balance respecting the varied opportunities we provide across EICC.

Her background as a faculty member, department chair, dean, and leader in assessment and institutional effectiveness gives her a practical understanding of academic work from multiple perspectives. She is an inclusive leader who values stakeholder engagement, communication, and gathering input from those doing the work. I believe this approach will serve EICC well as we continue strengthening our academic programs and building momentum around guided pathways and student success.

Throughout her career at Iowa Western, Cami has served in several important roles, including Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Communication, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, English Department Chair, and Assistant Professor. She also brings strong Iowa experience and a practical understanding of curriculum, accreditation, and the partnerships helping community colleges serve their regions well.

Please join me in welcoming Comanchette McBee to EICC. We will share more details in the coming weeks as we prepare for her arrival.

Together, we move forward,

Bryan Renfro, PhD
Chancellor
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
101 West Third Street, Davenport
563-336-3301