Meet Lloyd Holmes
The information on this webpage is presented as submitted by the candidate. Candidates were asked to provide a description of their top three accomplishments and a biography, limited to 400 words each.
Video Interview
Further down on this webpage, you can watch a video interview with Lloyd Holmes, in which he answers questions from students, faculty, classified professionals and administrators.
Employment Experience
- Vice President, Student Services, Monroe Community College (Rochester, New York), 2014-present
- Dean of Students, North Shore Community College (Danvers, Massachusetts), 2008-2014
- Dean of Students, Coastal Carolina University (Conway, South Carolina), 2004-2008
- Associate Dean of Students, University of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi), 2003-2004
Education
- Ph.D., Educational Leadership, University of Mississippi
- M.Ed., Higher Education – Student Personnel Services, University of Mississippi
- B.Accy., Accounting, University of Mississippi
- A.A., Accounting, Itawamba Community College
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Accomplishments
Top Three Career Accomplishments
Much can be told about people by the artwork in their offices. Mine tells who I am and what’s important to me. One piece, given to me when I departed the University of Mississippi, has three birds and carefree lines and writing that reads “so profound has been your influence, it’s as if you’re still here.” It was given to me by a psychology professor as recognition for the work I had done over the years. Receiving that piece of art was one of the greatest accomplishments in my career. Why? It constantly reminds me that no matter where I go or what I’m doing, I have a responsibility to positively impact the lives of others so that they see more of their own ability or worth as a result of knowing me.
A second accomplishment for me was the receipt of my doctorate degree. Growing up in an extremely poor, single-parent household in rural Mississippi, the odds were against me. I had a mother, though, that never allowed her two boys to believe that our situation would determine where we ended up in life. She stressed that we were no better than anyone else, but we were not less than others. She and mentors that came later in life saw my potential and pushed me to strive for successes that were beyond my imagination. I never imagined receiving a doctorate degree, but I did. Achieving this while working full-time, playing piano for churches, and self-remodeling my own home was a great accomplishment. I never envisioned the doors that would open for me. Further, it set an example for others who may not have believed in their capabilities because of outward appearances or internal struggles.
The third greatest accomplishment for me is seeing students thrive because of the work that I’ve done. It is not about the accolades that I receive; it’s about changing the lives of others for the greater good. It’s about getting up daily and finding whatever my purpose may be for that particular day … about challenging myself to show students and staff that this work is about them … about helping others see who they are and their potential. For some folks, I’ll never know the impact I had on their lives. For others, I’ll know I’ve been successful because of the feedback they give as well as the impact I see.
– Submitted by Lloyd Holmes
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Biography
Narrative Biography
Dr. Lloyd Holmes, Vice President for Student Services at Monroe Community College (Rochester, New York) since April 2014, is an administrator with over 25 years of experience in higher education. His work related to students’ perception of institutional climate has led to the creation of various programs which serve to impact student retention. From the development of leadership programs and volunteer opportunities for students, to building strong collaborations within the college and with individuals and organizations in the community outside the college, Dr. Holmes has worked to create partnerships which impact the success of students. Besides collaborating with academic affairs through various committees, Dr. Holmes has also taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Additionally, he has served as a statewide coach for the guided pathways project within the SUNY (State University of New York) system.
His involvement in the local community includes service on the Foodlink Board of Directors, director’s advisory committee for the Memorial Art Gallery, Geva Theatre Board of Directors, and the Growing Downtown Rochester Committee. Prior to moving to Rochester, he served as Chair of the Northeast Mississippi Red Cross Board, a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina), and as a member of other agencies in various states. While at North Shore Community College (Danvers, Massachusetts), he served as a team member for the Massachusetts Community College Consortium for NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute), which afforded him the opportunity to not only learn the model but also internalize the teachings of the model as he commits to having a positive impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Dr. Holmes served on the SUNY Food Insecurity Task Force, which sought solutions to issues of food insecurity within SUNY. Additionally, he serves as Monroe Community College’s representative to the League for Innovation in the Community College.
Dr. Holmes holds an Associate of Arts degree from Itawamba Community College (Fulton, Mississippi), where he majored in accounting. His other degrees are from The University of Mississippi, including a Bachelor of Accountancy, Master of Education (Higher Education – Student Personnel Services), and Doctor of Philosophy (Education Leadership). He was selected to participate in the 2018 League for Innovation’s Executive Leadership Institute and was selected as a member of the Aspen Institute’s 2020-2021 Rising President’s Fellowship cohort.
– Submitted by Lloyd Holmes
Candidate Interview
This interview was recorded during a "virtual" campus visit in May, during which the candidate met via Zoom video with campus constituencies including the Academic Senate, Classified Senate, De Anza Associated Student Body (DASB), college administrators and managers, the De Anza Commission, the Foothill-De Anza Foundation board of directors, college senior staff and the chancellor's cabinet.
He also met with Chancellor Judy C. Miner and took part in this interview, in which he answered questions submitted by students, faculty, classified professionals and administrators.
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