The president of Westmoreland County Community College said Friday continued efforts to improve the college’s educational programs will involve change.
“We have to adapt to change,” said Kristin L. Mallory. “We are not going to stay stagnant. We are moving forward.”
Mallory, 63, has been president of the 4,000-student community college near Youngwood since July 1. But the school held a 90-minute inauguration ceremony for her Friday in front of about 220 college officials, community leaders and students at the college gymnasium.
“Education is all about continuous improvement. Improved services, improved programs. Continuous improvement involves change … and change is not always easy,” Mallory said.
While the college strives to improve, Mallory said there will be a process to determine what needs to be modified, accelerated or retired.
Among the changes that have been made is the launching of two health care programs, one for licensed practical nurses and another in nuclear medicine. Mallory said WCCC also is working on agreements for students in the engineering program to be able to transfer to other colleges.
There are new partnerships with the regional high school-affiliated career and technology centers that has led to an increase in the dual enrollment options for students, according to Mallory. The college has seen a 26% increase in dual enrollments, which Mallory called remarkable.
The college redesigned the student experience that increases number of services available and saw an increase in student visits to the college, Mallory said. She said WCCC is offering programs that lead to family-sustaining wages.
“We will be the college of choice for students for their first degree … and for a retooling and reimaging of their future,” Mallory said.
Mallory, the college’s eighth president, brought to WCCC leadership experience of some two decades at community and technical colleges in West Virginia and Maryland.
That experience was critical in her hiring, as well as her demeanor and grasp of issues facing colleges, said Tom Ceraso, president of the WCCC board of trustees.
Mallory was hired during the third presidential search to succeed Tuesday Stanley, who served in the role from 2014 until she left in June 2024.
“Dr. Mallory is the missing piece,” Ceraso said. “We searched and searched (for a new president). I’m glad we kept going.”
Mallory understands the importance of student success, said Deborah Casey, president of Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Md., where Mallory was the vice president of academic affairs from 2017 to 2025.
“She understands the importance of (the student) completing the task,” whether it is earning a certificate, an associate degree, going to a four-year institution or getting a good-paying job, Casey said.
Ceraso said Mallory has a very well-rounded background for moving the college forward at a time when higher education is facing challenges. Demographics show that there will be fewer high school graduates in the future.
“She has plans for the tough years ahead,” Ceraso said.
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