DOVER — After ten years of serving as the president of Delaware’s only community college, Dr. Mark Brainard has announced that he will leave the top job in 2027.
Brainard has served as Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC)’s fifth president for a decade at this point, succeeding Orlando “Lonnie” George. In 2013, DTCC Board of Trustees had named Brainard the next leader when George and the DTCC board established the role of executive vice president to prepare for George’s impending retirement.
Discussions on Brainard’s exit from DTCC first started last year, but ultimately Brainard confirmed during a Sept. 26 trustees meeting that he will not renew his contract in three years’ time.
“I am not stepping down but instead, I am fulfilling the obligations of the current contract, which expires in December 2027. At that time, I’ll be at an age where retirement would sound appealing,” Brainard told the Delaware Business Times in an email.
Much like how Brainard stepped into the president role, DTCC has started the early work on who will succeed him. The board voted to create the role of executive vice president in June of 2023 during a board retreat, a role often used in succession planning to train the next generation leader in command. That position was publicly posted in July; only one applicant came forward for review during that time.
Brainard became DTCC’s president in August 2014 after acting in various leadership roles at the college since 2008, although that was not the start of his history with the community college.
He earned an associate degree from DTCC in criminal justice in 1981 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree two years later in behavioral science from Wilmington University and a law degree in 1994 from Widener University while working full-time in state government. During that time, he spent seven years as the chief of staff for the House Minority Caucus.
He was appointed director of external affairs at Delaware’s Department of Transportation in 1993 and was later named assistant vice president for personnel and legal affairs at DTCC in 1994. Brainard became the executive vice president of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in 1999, leaving in 2002 when he became chief of staff for Governor Ruth Ann Minner.
Working alongside Minner, he helped pave the way for the SEED program, which covers full tuition for select high school graduates to get an associate degree. It’s estimated that roughly 10% of the 11,726 students at the community college are SEED scholars.
Upon returning to DTCC, the Dickinson High School graduate has worked to oversee policy at all four campuses, improve the culture for students and staff and implement programming for veterans to name just a couple of things under his belt.
Today, Brainard is reportedly one of the highest paid state employees with a salary around $342,774, according to the News Journal.
As the president of Delaware’s only community college, Brainard served as DTCC’s biggest advocate for state funds each year. The millions of dollars he helped secure addressed maintenance issues across four campuses across Delaware, as well providing the means to develop and improve courses in growing career fields in the state, notably in health care and public schools.
“We have not only created new workforce programs in those areas but have also added two bachelor’s degree programs to address nursing and teacher shortages in our state. And I feel proud to support the Delaware Tech team that continues to work to create student success initiatives that have increased completion and graduation rates,” he said.
After fulfilling his current contract with the college, Brainard said he has simpler plans.
“Read, run and relax,” is on his own personal agenda, Brainard explained. “The College’s agenda? Delaware Tech will continue to soar into the future.”
A new role
After the DTCC Board of Trustees approved re-establishing the executive vice president role in June, a position was advertised in July and one applicant had applied: Dr. Justina Thomas.
Thomas, who is currently the vice president for academic affairs, was interviewed by a committee that was chaired by Vice President for Human Resources Janis Beach. Other committee members included Vice President and Campus Director of the George Campus Dr. Lora Johnson, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cornelia Johnson, Vice President for External Relations Crystal Mintzer, Vice President for Finance Michael Jackson, Vice President for Information Technology Tom Rainer and general counsel Brian Shirey.
After a successful interview process, the board unanimously approved Thomas as the next executive vice president for the college. She could begin her appointment as early as January 2025.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Salisbury University, a master’s degree from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Wilmington University.
Thomas’ roles at DTCC began in 1997 when she was a full-time instructor in the Developmental Studies Department at the Owens Campus in Georgetown. She has held the role of vice president for academic affairs since 2015.
She also served time as a Teaching Resource Center coordinator, DTCC’s principal investigator and project director for Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Round 1 and Round 3 grants, instructional coordinator and department chair.
Earlier this year, Thomas received the 2024 Visionary Award from the Delaware ACE Women’s Network (DAWN), a chapter of the American Council on Education (ACE).
While the executive vice president role is often used in succession planning for larger organizations headed for a transition in executive leadership, a hiring process must be followed for the board to choose the next DTCC president over the next several years.
If Thomas becomes DTCC’s next president, she would be the organization’s first female in that role.
Brainard told DBT that Thomas has a “very powerful Delaware Tech story,” as she has also risen through the ranks from faculty member to the highest levels of college leadership.
“No matter what she works on, her priority is and always will be our students. They remain front and center for her, because she will always be an instructor at heart,” he added.
