MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker on Tuesday named Dr. Joel Hagood President of Bevill State Community College.

“When you combine Dr. Hagood’s proven leadership with his local expertise you get an ideal candidate for Bevill State’s next President,” Baker stated. “Bevill State’s diversity in programs matches its diversity in geography and I’m confident that with Dr. Hagood at the helm the college will continue to move the needle on student success.”

With four main campuses and one instructional site, Bevill State offers transfer and applied technology educational opportunity to more than 250,000 residents in a seven-county area. The service area spans more than 4,600 square miles, from Birmingham’s city limits to the Mississippi state line.

Dr. Hagood’s entire educational career since 1997 has been spent in Walker County, which is home to Bevill State’s largest campus. He currently serves as Superintendent of Walker County Schools. Prior to his service there, he was a high school principal at Oakman High School and Director of Curriculum in the Walker County School System.

Of his appointment to Bevill State, Hagood stated, “Walker County and the surrounding areas are home and it’s an honor to lead a college with such history and purpose in our region. I am focused on continuing Bevill State’s legacy as a game-changer in education and workforce development and I look forward to being part of its growth for the future.”

Hagood obtained an Educational Doctorate with a focus on Educational Leadership from Samford University. He obtained an Educational Specialist degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He obtained both a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Comprehensive Social Sciences from The University of Alabama.

Hagood will begin his appointment at Bevill State on January 1, 2021.

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About ACCS

With 24 community colleges in more than 130 locations, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) is Alabama’s gateway to first-class, affordable education and technical training to compete in a constantly evolving workforce. More than 168,000 Alabamians benefit from the various certification, credential, dual enrollment and degree programs ACCS offers alongside leading industry partners. The System includes the Alabama Technology Network, which provides extensive training and service offerings directly to business and industry. ACCS is governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.