NHTI’s new president takes office in February

Concord Community College has selected a new president — a professional educator with extensive community college experience — to begin his new role this winter.

Patrick Tompkins will lead the NHTI effective February 1, the Community College System of New Hampshire announced Monday. He will fill the position of former President Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, who resigned in March to move closer to family. Chancellor Mark Rubinstein has been acting as interim president for the past eight months.

Selected from a pool of over 60 applicants, Tompkins comes to New Hampshire from Virginia where he is vice president of academic, undergraduate and professional education at Eastern Shore Community College in Melfa. Previously, he was Provost and Associate Dean of Science, Engineering and Technology and Dean of Communications, Humanities and Social Sciences at Thomas Nelson Community College in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was also a faculty member and department head at Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Va.

“What a tremendous honor to be invited to serve the NHTI and the entire Concord region,” said Tompkins. “The college’s remarkable strengths in educational programs, student support, faculty and staff talent, and community engagement are the bedrock of NHTI’s history and a strong foundation for its future. As we anticipate accelerated changes in higher education, I look forward to what we will achieve together.”

Tompkins holds a PhD in community college leadership from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in English from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University.

“Patrick has clearly demonstrated his leadership qualities in listening to and considering all viewpoints,” said Alan Lindsay, English professor and faculty council chair who served on the selection committee. “He actively seeks out and engages with the real issues and concerns raised by people who care about this college and its future.”

During the candidate search process, Tompkins met with groups of community college stakeholders and chaired a strategy session with some faculty and staff members to review NHTI’s current position in the community and explore potential approaches to ensure a successful future.

“During the course of this search process, Dr. Tompkins as the candidate whose experience and, more importantly, approach to this work has demonstrated both the essential skills and commitment to engage with peers, with the community and with colleagues from across the CCSNH to capitalize on the strengths of the Building NHTI, meeting challenges and positioning the college for continued success in the future,” said Rubinstein.