Chris DeGeare is Jefferson College’s new vice president of instruction.
He has worked at the college for 16 years and had been serving as both the dean of instruction and acting vice president of instruction since July 1, 2020, but the Jefferson College Board of Trustees agreed last month to promote DeGeare to vice president of instruction.
DeGeare’s title change went into effect Oct. 15, and he will be paid a $119,895 annual salary.
He had been making $105,325 as acting vice president of instruction and dean of instruction, according to board documents.
Jefferson College President Dena McCaffrey said DeGeare deserved the promotion.
“He has done an exceptional job,” she said. “Under his leadership, the college has developed a comprehensive academic plan, which has brought new programs and expanded others to better serve the needs of our community. I’m certain he will continue to be an effective leader who is dedicated to the college and the Jefferson County community.”
DeGeare, a Hillsboro resident, has been a member of the city of Hillsboro Board of Alderpersons since 2014.
“I’m very excited to be in the job permanently,” said DeGeare, a Jefferson College alumni. “I’ve always enjoyed working at the college.”
DeGeare earned an associate degree in microcomputers and networking from Jefferson College in 2002. He earned a bachelor’s in information systems security in 2005 from ITT Technical Institute in Arnold, a master’s of education in information science and technology in 2010 from the University of Missouri in Columbia and a doctorate of education in higher education leadership in 2019 from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis.
The college board voted 5-0 on Oct. 14 to approve DeGeare’s prometon.
College trustee Steve Meinberg was absent from the meeting.