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Dr. Thomas Ware has returned to Mississippi to become ��«Ӱҵ’s Vice President of Instruction, Academics and Transfer after a five-year stint in Kentucky.

He has extensive experience leading academic instructional programs, including at Maysville Community and Technical College in Kentucky and at East Mississippi Community College, where he worked in various positions from 2005 to 2017 including as Vice President for Instruction.

“��«Ӱҵ is the premier community college in the state of Mississippi, so the opportunity to work here is truly a dream come true,” Dr. Ware said. “While I have been a chief academic officer for several years, my true passion is in academics, so the Vice President of Instruction, Academics and Transfer position is of keen interest to me.”

He has four degrees from the University of Alabama, three in history and a doctorate in higher education administration in 1997, and has continued to teach history as an adjunct at both Maysville and East Mississippi.

“Dr. Ware is a seasoned professional with years of experience at the community college level,” said ��«Ӱҵ President Dr. Stephen Vacik. “He understands our mission, vision and values well. With his time spent at East Mississippi, Dr. Ware also knows our state system thoroughly, having previously served as president of the chief Academic Officers Association. I am thankful that the search process brought us a new team member who is prepared for the responsibilities and expectations of an instructional vice president at ��«Ӱҵ.”

Dr. Ware started his new position at ��«Ӱҵ on Aug. 1, just in time for the fall semester.

“��«Ӱҵ is a great institution, so I want to offer my experience and knowledge to help ��«Ӱҵ stay on the forefront of higher education and navigate some of the headwinds that all colleges are facing these days,” Dr. Ware said. “My mission is the same as it was when I started down the path of higher education 30 years ago – make college better for everyone. I want the college experience to be good for students, but not lose sight of the needs of faculty and staff. This balance is not always easy to achieve, but it is a worthy endeavor nonetheless.”