David Sam, Ph.D., J.D., LL.M.Chancellor Candidate Forum Date: Wednesday, July 12 @ 3:30PM Campus Visit and In-Person Open Forum Schedules Open Forum Feedback Survey Chancellor Candidate Forum |
Bio
Dr. David Sam began his service as the President of Elgin Community College (ECC) in 2007; his prior appointment was as President of Lone Star College-North Harris, TX, for six and half years. Previously, he was Dean of the Community & Technical College and Professor of Social Science and Business Management at the University of Akron, OH. Earlier, he served as Vice President for Faculty & Instruction at Harrisburg Area Community College, PA, Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Natural & Social Sciences both at Mott Community College, MI, and Assistant Professor & Coordinator of International Studies at the College of DuPage, IL.
Academic excellence, student success and completion, financial aid and reduction of student loan debt, community outreach, partnerships, workforce development, equity, diversity and inclusion, and financial prudence are among the hallmarks of his presidency. Collaborating with a visionary and engaged Board of Trustees, outstanding and dedicated faculty, and a competent and committed team of administrators and staff, he has provided leadership for the extraordinary results the College has achieved. The College has awarded 68,167 degrees and certificates since its founding in 1949; of these 38,105, about 55.9 percent have been awarded during his presidency.
Further, under his leadership, ECC was named one of 25 (out of 1,047 community colleges nationwide) semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence; ECC was also named an Aspen Top 150 College in 2015, 2019, and 2021. ECC joined the student success initiative, Achieving the Dream, in 2009, earning and maintaining a Leader College status from 2012 to 2022, when it received the designation of Leader College of Distinction. Additionally, in 2009, Dr. Sam led the College’s efforts to pass a $178 million capital referendum which has transformed the campus into a modern, state-of-the-art learning environment. Finally, ECC’s financial stability and sound fiscal management have earned the College an Aaa rating from Moody’s Investor Services since 2009 and an AA+ rating from Standard & Poor’s since 2010.
A native of Ghana, Dr. Sam has impressive academic credentials. He is a cum laude graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, political science, and history. He holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) and a Ph.D. in international relations degrees from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Additionally, he holds an MBA in finance and marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron Law School, and a Master of Laws (LL.M) in energy law and policy, with distinction, from the Center for Energy, Petroleum & Mineral Law & Policy at the University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Dr. Sam serves on the board of directors for the: St. Charles Bank & Trust (A Wintrust Community Bank); Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce (Chair from May 2015 to January 2017); Alignment Collaborative for Education; and Golden Corridor Family YMCA. He is an active member of the Rotary Club of Elgin; the 2021/22 Secretary/Treasurer, 2022/23 Vice Chair, and 2023/24 Chair of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents (ICCCP); and the ICCCP Phi Theta Kappa Presidential Ambassador. A licensed lawyer, he is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the Energy Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. His recognitions include: National Council for Marketing & Public Relations’ National Pacesetter of the Year; membership in the Illinois State University College of Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame; Phi Theta Kappa’s Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for Outstanding College Presidents; Judson University’s D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award; Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award; Elgin Cosmopolitan Club’s Distinguished Services Award, Rotary International Club’s Paul Harris Fellow, and an Illinois Consortium for International Studies & Programs Member Emeritus Award.