Dr. Ross Tomlin has been awarded the Howard Cherry Community College Administrator award for 2022 by the Oregon Community College Association (OCCA). The award is its highest honor, and represents outstanding accomplishments on behalf of community colleges in Oregon. It is named after the late Dr. Howard Cherry, a lifelong advocate for education and community involvement. Awardees must be responsible for bringing statewide recognition to community colleges through their contributions. Tomlin will be presented with the award at the OCCA conference in Sunriver, Oregon, on November 3.
“I speak for the TBCC Board members when I say that we are all so proud of President Tomlin for receiving this prestigious award. Our Community College has moved forward with increased enrollment, new programs and raised standards because of his leadership in education. His role in our county and communities has made a significant difference for our citizens,” said Kathy Gervasi, Chair of the TBCC Board of Education.
Dr. Tomlin has served as a senior-level leader in community colleges for over 14 years and as an administrator at four of Oregon’s community colleges – Central Oregon Community College, Umpqua Community College, Southwestern Oregon Community College, and was appointed President of Tillamook Bay Community College in 2017. His advocacy at the state level in support of educational equity for rural community college students and his commitment to building strong partnerships across the K-14 continuum to ensure student success and local economic development were recognized in his nomination.
“I never thought in my career I would receive this award,” Tomlin said. “This is a great honor to receive from my peers in the state and to be in the same company as prior recipients of the award. There is great work being done at all 17 community colleges in Oregon and the presidents all work together very well to promote student success, so to be recognized at this level is truly special. The amazing accomplishments happening at TBCC are a tribute to the incredible staff we have and their passion to help students succeed.”
Tomlin is involved in a variety of local community service activities, including the Adventist Health Tillamook Civic Advisory Board; Tillamook County Transportation Advisory Committee, Economic Development Council of Tillamook County Board of Directors; the Tillamook County Future’s Council; the Chair of the Northwest Regional ESD Board of Directors; the Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District Board of Directors; Kiwanis Club; Chair of the Tides of Change Board of Directors; and the Tillamook High School Natural Resources Advisory Council, and he continues to teach in the Forestry program at TBCC.