About the Chancellor

Dr. Timothy L. Taylor

Dr. Timothy L. Taylor serves as Chancellor of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, bringing more than two decades of community college leadership experience and a career centered on student success, workforce development, institutional effectiveness and strengthening the communities colleges serve. His appointment as Chancellor also marks a return to IECC, where he previously served as President of Frontier Community College.

Before returning to IECC, Taylor served as President of Shawnee Community College beginning in September 2020. During his tenure, Shawnee expanded educational opportunities for students, strengthened partnerships with K-12 schools, employers and community organizations, improved institutional planning and accountability systems, and made significant investments in facilities and infrastructure. The college also completed a successful Higher Learning Commission reaffirmation with no findings and strengthened its financial position during his leadership.

Taylor previously held leadership roles at Oakland Community College in Michigan, where he served as Campus President for the college’s two largest campuses. Earlier, he spent six years as President of Frontier Community College. During his tenure at Frontier, the college expanded academic and career-focused offerings, and in 2013, CollegeMeasures.org recognized Frontier as the nation’s top community college for student success with a 100% graduation or transfer rate. His career has also included leadership in business and technology, skilled trades and agriculture, building on professional experience that began in the classroom as a faculty member.

Taylor’s own educational journey reflects the range of opportunities available through community colleges. He earned a Certificate in Welding and associate degrees in Electronics Technology and Industrial Maintenance from Danville Area Community College. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Management and a master’s degree in Vocational Education from Southern Illinois University before completing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin.

Throughout his career, Taylor has focused on creating educational opportunities that respond to the needs of students, employers and communities. As Chancellor, he leads IECC’s continued work to serve southeastern Illinois through Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College and Wabash Valley College while building on the institution’s strong foundation and preparing it to meet the changing needs of the region.