Tammy Robinson, Ed.D., named president of MCC-Penn Valley in midtown Kansas City
A new president has been named for Metropolitan Community College’s Penn Valley campus.
Tammy Robinson, who’s joining MCC from Mesa Community College in Arizona, served as
president there since 2022. Mesa is the largest of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County
Community College District.
Robinson is expected to start at MCC-Penn Valley, in midtown Kansas City, in early July.
Tyjaun A. Lee, Penn Valley’s president from 2017-2023, is currently MCC’s interim
vice chancellor for administrative services. In 2023-24, Larry Rideaux Jr., the MCC-Maple
Woods president, served as acting president for Penn Valley.
Robinson will bring to Metropolitan Community College more than 25 years’ experience
as a community college administrator and instructor.
“Beginning her career as an English faculty member, Dr. Robinson has demonstrated
experience and success in developing and enhancing transfer and workforce programs
— the perfect academic skill set for the next leader of the Penn Valley campus,” MCC
Chancellor Kimberly Beatty wrote in an announcement to employees.
The Penn Valley campus includes two workforce-focused facilities: the Health Science
Institute and the Advanced Technical Skills Institute.
Robinson says she is “thrilled to embark on a new journey as the president of MCC-Penn
Valley,” adding that her family has deep roots in the Kansas City area.
“I am dedicated to enhancing the educational landscape by ensuring that all students
have the resources they need to excel and prosper,” Robinson says. “My commitment
to the community college ethos — enhancing accessibility and empowering students —
is a driving force in my leadership approach.”
Robinson’s accomplishments at Mesa Community College include launching bachelor’s
degree programs in data analytics/computer programming and early childhood education/dual
languages. She also pioneered the Mesa College Promise program, facilitating greater
access to higher education by awarding students full tuition and iPads with support
services.
Robinson’s experience also includes serving as vice president of instruction at Cañada
College in Redwood City, California (2018-22); dean of global learning programs and
services and dean of social science and creative arts at Skyline College in San Bruno,
California (2015-18); and interim vice president of academic services and chief instructional
officer at Lassen Community College in Susanville, California (2013-15).
She served as chair for the English/ESL department at Los Angeles City College (1996-2013)
and as an English instructor at California State University, Dominguez Hills (1996-98).
Robinson holds an Ed.D. in education with an emphasis in community college administration
from the University of Southern California; an M.A. in English from California State
University, Dominguez Hills; a B.A. in political science from the University of California,
Los Angeles; and an A.A. in social science from Cerritos College in Norwalk, California.
Robinson is a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission for the American
Association of Community Colleges. She also served as president of the National Council
on Black American Affairs, an affiliate of the AACC. She has spoken at numerous conferences
about the importance of educational access for underrepresented groups. She recently
co-presented at Harvard University on the topic of “Surviving and Thriving as a Woman
in a Multi-College System.”