Dr. Jeff Hockaday
One of the pioneers of the Community College movement in North Carolina, Dr. Jeff Hockaday was instrumental in laying the foundation for the North Carolina Community College System that we have today. Dr. Hockaday understood the importance of having strong colleges across the State and gave his time and energy to serve on State committees to promote the needs of the colleges. This included service as the President of the Presidents Association and longtime service on the Association’s Legislative Committee.
Dr. Hockaday is a graduate of Barton College, received a Masters degree from East Carolina University in Education, and his Doctorate in Education Administration from Duke University. His career includes service as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and a community college president in North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, and Kentucky. Dr. Hockaday provided outstanding leadership to the Virginia Community College System, serving as the system President and as a visiting professor at George Mason University.
Dr. Hockaday served as President of Central Carolina Technical College which was the first College in the System to receive State Board accreditation and was the first College to receive accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). While serving as CCTI’s President, Dr. Hockaday saw the need for and the wisdom of expanding services outside the home county of the College and, thus, began a physical presence in adjoining Hamett and Chatham Counties. Under Dr. Hockaday’s leadership CCTI was one of the first colleges to invite 4-year colleges to come on campus to offer courses.
He is a strong advocate for comprehensive community colleges as a believer in both the original mission involving technical and vocational training and the newer, dynamic college transfer program. He believes that every person at whatever age works for the individual should have the opportunity for at least two years of education after high school graduation.
He has served on many professional boards and committees including two terms on the Board of Directors of the Association of Community Colleges and as an advisor to the National ACCT Board. Dr. Hockaday has received numerous awards and recognitions including being named CEO of the Year in ACCT’s Southern and Pacific Regions, in addition to being the ACCT’s National CEO of the Year in 1995. Dr. Hockaday was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from North Carolina State University, Barton College’s Alumni Achievement Award, the LULAC Presidential Citation for Leadership, the National Council for Learning Resources Administrative Leadership A ward, and the Mexican Government’s Conalep Leadership Award. In 2002 AACC presented Dr. Hockaday with its prestigious National Leadership Award.
Dr. Hockaday has also contributed state-wide and nationally to community colleges through training of local boards of trustees and his well-known involvement in leadership development for college presidents and administrators. He continues to serve as a mentor and advisor to presidents across North Carolina and the nation.
