President & Cabinet
George Timmons, Ph.D., joins Holyoke Community College as its fifth president, bringing to the college a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in higher education as well as a passion for—and commitment to—student success.
George Timmons, Ph.D., joins Holyoke Community College as its fifth president, bringing to the college a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in higher education as well as a passion for-and commitment to-student success.
Most recently serving as the provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, N.Y., President Timmons previously served as dean for the School of Liberal Arts at Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y.
With strong family roots in the greater Springfield/Hartford region, President Timmons has equated his arrival at Holyoke Community College to a homecoming. As a first-generation college graduate, he has experienced first-hand the challenges many Holyoke Community College students face.
He believes that providing the support necessary to help students overcome the barriers to their success is critical in ensuring equity in access to a high-quality college education. Through the provision of excellent educational and training opportunities and the removal of obstacles such as lack of transportation, childcare, housing, food security, and more, students can find achievement and become valuable members of a society that needs their intelligence and innovation.
President Timmons embraces the Holyoke Community College core values of Innovation, Collaboration, Kindness, Inclusion, and Trust, and is pleased to lead a community committed to those values. Under his watch, the college has grown enrollment while successfully implementing MassReconnect and other growth-focused initiatives.
President Timmons brings to the college a commitment to community service. He serves on the Education Sector Working Group of Governor Maura Healey's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Taskforce. His current boardsmanship includes the boards of Holyoke Hospital, MassHire Hampden County Workforce, The Tech Foundry, and the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council.
President Timmons earned a Bachelor of Science in financial management from Norfolk State University, a Master of Science in higher education from Old Dominion University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University.
President Timmons is an avid sports fan, particularly of basketball. He and his wife, Frankie, are the proud parents of three adult children.
President's Cabinet
Joining President Timmons in a formidable leadership team are members of Cabinet, who together are the voice of our community.
Jeffrey Hayden
Vice President of Business and Community Services
Olivia Kynard
Affirmative Action and Title IX Coordinator;
Interim Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Sharale Mathis, Ed.D
Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs
Michelle Robak
Interim Executive Director of Human Resources
Narayan Sampath
Vice President of Administration & Finance
Amanda Sbriscia, Ed.D
Vice President of Institutional Advancement;
Executive Director of the HCC Foundation
A Legacy of Leadership
George Timmons, Ph.D., 2023 to Present
Christina Royal, Ph.D., 2017-2023
William F. Messner, Ph.D., 2004-2016
David M. Bartley, Ph.D., 1975-2003
George E. Frost, 1964-1975
Charles D. Epstein
Ted Hebert '71
Yolanda D. Johnson, Ed.D.
Evan Plotkin
Nayroby Rosa '10
Vanessa L. Smith, Esq., Interim Chair
Ivonne Vidal, Esq.
Eleanor P. Williams, Esq.
Barney Garcia, Student Trustee
Jasarah Burgos
Steven Clement '11
Tiffany Cutting Madru
Kate Douglas, Ph.D.
Luindy Espinal '19
Kip Foley
Wendy Fox '16
Dean Gallagher
Joshua A. Garcia
Erin Godfrey
Susan Goldsmith, Chair
Maura Greaney
Ted Hebert '71
Sina Holloman '09
Mary Kaeding '83
Michael Lynch
Alaina Macaulay
Johnnie McKnight '10
Matt McMahon '06
Deana McPherson '90
Corey Murphy
Ryan Rege '08
Israel Rivera '16
Gary Rome
Michael Roundy, Esq.
Amanda Sbriscia, Ed.D.
James Shevlin '80
Lynn Starr '95
Camille Theriaque '12
George Timmons, Ph.D.
Ruth Amador '05
Maureen Babineau '00
Laura L. Brennan '79
Karen Brown '05
Dawn E. Bryden, Ed.D. '89, President
Gloria G. Lomax '75
Patrick McCann '00
Matt McMahon '06
Gertrude E. Monson '97
Kim Monson '01
Lucy F. Perez '87
Thomas Rachele '96
Ryan Rege '08
Paul Rogers '81, '13
Elizabeth Román '03
James M. Sheehan '74
Chloe Soto '17
Jonencia Wood '11
A New Chapter
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Holyoke Community College will mark a new chapter April 19 with the inauguration of George Timmons as its fifth president.
'Collaboration Key'
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024
Read President George Timmons' commentary from Outlook 2024, the Springfield Republican newspaper's special annual edition on the state of the regional economy.
Fall Grads Feted
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023
For the first time in its 77-year history, Holyoke Communiy College celebrated its fall graduates with a special reception.
Trustees' Chair Retires
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023
Robert Gilbert Jr. of West Springfield served with three HCC presidents during his 12-year tenure on the Board of Trustees and the last eight as chair.
