Welker tabbed as interim JWCC president

QUINCY – During a special board meeting on Friday, the John Wood Community College Board of Trustees named Josh Welker, JWCC Dean of Business Services and Institutional Effectiveness, as interim president. Welker will serve in the temporary position following current JWCC President, Dr. Bryan Renfro.

Renfro will assume the Chancellor role for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges based in Davenport, Iowa. Renfro’s last day at JWCC is June 30. Welker will begin July 1 and may serve through December 2025. This period will allow the Board to accelerate the process to select JWCC’s eighth President with a goal of placement by late fall.

“Josh has successfully and loyally served the College for 15 years in institutional effectiveness, business, and operational roles and will do a fantastic job keeping the positive momentum going during this transition,” JWCC Board Chair Bob Rhea said. “This focus was the highest priority identified by our current leadership team. His character, credibility, and knowledge of our college community offers immense, immediate value. “Appointing Josh allows the Board to accelerate the search process by using the pool of interim candidates to jump start our mission to select the next leader.”

Rhea noted that Welker will return to his current role when JWCC’s next President begins their duties.

Welker joined JWCC in 2009 as an institutional researcher and was promoted to director of institutional effectiveness in 2011 to conduct all reporting, research and strategic planning initiatives for the College. During his career at JWCC, Welker has directed efforts for the College’s Strategic Plan, Higher Learning Commission Reaccreditation, and serves as Chief Financial Officer. He was promoted to his current role in 2015. Welker currently serves as Board President for the United Way of Adams County and Board Member and Past President of the Mary Weems Barton/Quincy Public Library Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Missouri.

“I am honored to serve the College during this transition and continue to work with our leadership team to keep initiatives moving forward as the Board searches for our next leader,” Welker said. “We have a great team in place to lead the College, and I look forward to advancing our progress during this interim assignment.”