Metropolitan Community College - Partnerships and Directions

Kimberly Beatty, Ed.D., began her tenure as Metropolitan Community College’s eighth chancellor on July 1, 2017.  A champion of access and equity, she is devoted to the community college mission of providing access to higher education for all. “I am passionate about the community I serve and excited about the ability to provide higher education access to the underprivileged and underrepresented,” Dr. Beatty says.

Dr. Beatty’s commitment to workforce and transfer (academic) education has included establishing new partnerships in the region. Under her leadership, MCC in Fall 2019 launched a satellite site at Hillyard Technical Center in St. Joseph. In addition to workforce training programs such as certified nursing assistant and welding technology, this Buchanan County

At Metropolitan Community College, Dr. Beatty restructured the College’s five-year strategic plan; authored a new vision statement for the College and a new shared governance model; and is fostering a culture of innovation, including the creation of the MCC Innovation Council.

Dr. Beatty came to MCC from Houston Community College, the nation’s fourth-largest community college system, where she served as vice chancellor for instructional services and chief academic officer. She brought 28 years of teaching and administrative experience in higher education to MCC.  Her experience includes 21 years of progressive leadership experience at community colleges in California, Virginia and Texas.

As the first African-American leader in the 105-year history of Metropolitan Community College, and the only African-American CEO in the Missouri community college system, “I live and walk in the truth of who I am each day,” Dr. Beatty says.

Dr. Beatty is married to Kelvin Beatty. They are proud parents of three sons, Kelvin Jr., Michael and Ian. They also have five grandsons.