The Watertown Daily Times is reporting that Dr. John W. Deans (left, with Congressman and current SECARMY-Nominee John M. McHugh) is expected to be named today as the Interim President of Broome Community College. Dr. Deans previously led Jefferson Community College as President from 1992-2002 and again on an interim basis in 2006.

I was a student at JCC during the 2001-2002 academic year, serving on the Student Government Executive Board during the fall semester, and as Editor of the college newspaper during the spring semester. I had opportunity to speak with Dr. Deans a number of times, and found him to be warm, congenial, and professional; a class act. I remember his personal concern for the many students from Fort Drum whose lives were personally thrown into upheaval in the days and weeks following 9/11.

I spent three years living in Binghamton as I completed my bachelors degree, and am also somewhat familiar with BCC. The college has a beautiful campus, offers a variety of great academic programs, and and is located in close proximity to Davis College and Binghamton University, which provides a number of continuing education options for BCC grads. That said, there have been a number of struggles to recruit and maintain solid leadership for the college.

While reader comments on Binghamton’s Press and Sun Bulletin website are pessimistic about bringing in another “temporary” leader who is an “outsider”, I’m certain that with appropriate support, Dr. Deans will bring stable and practical leadership to BBC. I believe he will set the college up to go great things in the future, while the board focuses on searching for their next permanent President.

Congratulations to Dr. John Deans and to Broome Community College. Hopefully this will be a mutually beneficial arrangement.