Dr. Charles Cook will oversee academic and student services programs.

ACC has selected Dr. Charles Cook to serve as its new provost/executive vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Cook will join ACC August 1 from the Houston Community College (HCC) System, where he is vice chancellor for academic affairs. As ACC’s chief academic officer, he will guide and oversee all programs relating to instruction and student services, including the implementation of the college’s Academic Master Plan.

“Dr. Cook brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will benefit ACC students and faculty,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “We have many new initiatives under way to increase student success and innovation in the classroom. Dr. Cook has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in these areas. We can say with confidence that he is the perfect fit to help us achieve our goals.”

Since 1999, Dr. Cook has overseen academic matters for HCC, a multi-college system serving more than 70,000 students. He also worked for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on planning and policy issues for statewide community and technical college instruction programs and initiatives. He has been both a college instructor and high school teacher.

“I have been successful in my prior jobs largely because I have been a long-term teacher and possess a true passion for the teaching-learning process,” says Dr. Cook. “I continue to teach because I feel it’s vital to stay abreast of rapidly changing technology, shifting demographics and challenges, and the evolving role our colleges must play to ensure we prepare students effectively for the workforce, civic engagement, and further education.”

At HCC, Dr. Cook was responsible for academic and workforce education programs, libraries, distance education, instructional technology, grants development, accreditation, institutional research, and international initiatives. His accomplishments include:

• Increased HCC graduates and completers by more than 245 percent in five years.
• Established and expanded student support activities, such as 24/7 online tutoring.
• Expanded distance education opportunities, including fully online certificate and degree programs.

Dr. Cook holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in U.S. history from the University of Houston, and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Houston.