Co-Lin’s Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Dewayne Middleton as the college’s ninth president. Dr. Middleton. The current Executive Vice President of the college will move into his new role July 1 with the retirement of Dr. Jane Hulon Sims.
“I feel extremely honored and grateful to have been selected by the board of trustees to lead this incredible institution as president,” Dr. Middleton said. “Co-Lin has been part of my life for nearly 30 years, first as a student-athlete and then the place where I was fortunate to build my career. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to strengthen our institution as we work to offer the highest quality education to our students and communities.”
Dr. Middleton’s extensive background in higher education includes student services, classroom instruction, federal programs, academics, athletics, and administration. He has served in his current role as Executive Vice President of the college since 2021 in which he oversees all campus vice presidents and all campus operations.
Prior to his current post, he served as Vice President of Co-Lin’s Simpson County Center for seven years. In previous positions at Co-Lin, Dr. Middleton was Dean of Student Services at the Simpson County Center, an academic advisor/instructor, the Upward Bound coordinator, and assistant men’s and women’s basketball coach. In addition to his experience at Co-Lin, Dr. Middleton also served as an adjunct graduate professor at Alcorn State University.
Dr. Middleon holds an associate degree from Co-Lin, where he was a student-athlete for the Wolf Pack Men’s Basketball team, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in coaching and sports administration, a master’s degree from Alcorn State University in secondary education, and a doctorate from Mississippi State University in community college leadership.
During his professional career, Dr. Middleton has received numerous awards, certificates, and appointments. In addition to being named Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, he has received Co-Lin’s High Performance and Outstanding Co-Lin Faculty/Staff Member awards and the NISOD Excellence Award. He was also named an Emerging Leader of Mississippi. He has completed the Mississippi State University Education Policy Fellowship Program, Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy and Mississippi Development Authority Aspire Program.
Dr. Middleton serves on the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACSCOC) Substantive Change Committee Review Team, the SACSCOC On-Site Committee Review Team, and the Mississippi Community College Board Review Team for OCR & ADA Compliance. He is a member of the Mississippi ACT Council, Southeastern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Academic Officers, Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges Student Affairs Association, Mississippi Scholars Steering Committee, Simpson County Leadership, Omega Psi Pi Fraternity Incorporated, and Simpson County Tourism Council.
He is also very active in his community, serving on the Five County Head Start Board of Directors, Magee Hospital HealthTrust Board of Directors, Peoples Bank CDFI Advisory Board, Simpson County Economic Development Board of Directors, Southern Pine Electric Power Advisory Board and Simpson General Hospital Board of Directors. He is a volunteer coach for city baseball, football, and upward basketball.
He is married to Sirkersia (Tan) Middleton and they have two daughters, Mikaylin and Soumya, and a son, Kendal. They attend St. John Church of God in Christ.