Harper Board of Trustees approves four-year contract for president

The Harper College Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved a new four-year contract for President Dr. Avis Proctor, reaffirming its confidence in her leadership and vision for the college’s future.

Since assuming the role of Harper’s sixth president in July 2019, Dr. Proctor has led the college through a period of significant progress and innovation, while strengthening Harper’s commitment to student success, equity and community impact.

Under Dr. Proctor’s leadership, Harper has achieved record-high graduation rates, expanded access and affordability for students, and earned national recognition for its outcomes and equity-focused work. Most recently, Harper was named a top 20 semifinalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of community colleges that work toward and achieve equitable outcomes for students in and beyond college.

“Dr. Proctor’s leadership has positioned Harper as a national model for student success and equity,” Board Chair Bill Kelley said. “Her ability to unite the college and the community around a shared vision has been transformative. The board is confident that Dr. Proctor will continue to guide Harper forward as it expands opportunity, strengthens partnerships and prepares students for the future.”

During her tenure, Dr. Proctor has guided the college through two inclusive, community-driven strategic planning processes, including the recently adopted FY2026–2029 Strategic Plan: “Belonging. Thriving. Advancing.” The prior plan, “Forward Together,” resulted in a 35% increase in overall graduation rates and the closure of six of nine equity gaps by at least 20%.

Other highlights under Dr. Proctor’s leadership include:

• National recognition including designation as a Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2023 by Achieving the Dream and Military Friendly Institution Gold Status for 2024-25.
• Record-high graduation rates, most recently reaching 47.6%, the highest in Harper’s recorded history. Achieved an advancement rate of 76.2% in 2024.
• Transformational philanthropy, highlighted by the Educational Foundation’s Inspire Campaign, which secured a record $33.3 million from nearly 2,000 donors and created 75 new scholarships that will support Harper students for generations to come.
• Expanded bachelor’s degree and accelerated college pathways, including growth of the University Center partnerships and the launch of College Now: Your Future Accelerated, allowing high school students to earn an associate degree while completing high school.
• New and upcoming academic offerings, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence / Cloud Computing, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Drone Essentials, Music Production, Aviation Management and a Fire Academy.
• Major investments in facilities and infrastructure, including the new Emergency Services Training Center and ongoing construction of the Canning Student Center and University Center and the Business and Social Sciences Building. The new student center is funded with state support of more than $46M from the Rebuild Illinois Plan.
• Advanced access and growth through post-pandemic enrollment recovery, increasing fall enrollment 17% between fall 2020 and fall 2025.
• Expanded grants, workforce and community partnerships, securing federal funding, launching apprenticeships, and improving transportation access for students.

The term of the contract spans July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030. For the 2026-27 year, Dr. Proctor will receive a salary of $370,542. Salary increases for subsequent contract years will be the same as the annual percentage salary increases for the college’s administrative personnel.

Dr. Proctor brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education leadership, teaching and administration, having previously served as president of Broward College North Campus in Florida. Her tenure at Harper has been marked by a focus on collaboration, innovation and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive.