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Dr. Joe Bergman Named Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at Illinois Central College

by Amanda Lewis

East Peoria, IL (07/16/2025) — Illinois Central College (ICC) is pleased to announce Dr. Joe Bergman as Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, following a national search process. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education and a steadfast commitment to student success, Dr. Bergman brings a strategic, student-centered approach to academic leadership.

Dr. Bergman most recently served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Illinois Central College, where he led institution-wide efforts to enhance academic programming, implement the conversion to 8-week courses, strengthen workforce alignment, and improve student retention and completion. He played a key role in advancing faculty development, integrating academic technology to expand access, and overseeing institutional accreditation and planning.

ICC President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey said, "Dr. Bergman's leadership reflects the values of innovation, excellence, and commitment to student success that define the mission of Illinois Central College. His deep understanding of academic strategy, paired with his commitment to students and faculty, makes him the right choice to guide our academic vision forward."

Since joining ICC in 2004, Dr. Bergman has served in multiple leadership roles including Dean of Math, Science, and Engineering, Chemistry Department Chair, and Professor of Chemistry. As Dean, he expanded STEM pathways, modernized curricula, and led efforts to redesign developmental education, resulting in improved outcomes for students across the division.

Throughout his career, Dr. Bergman has supported efforts to expand access to education and connect students with meaningful career pathways. He is a strong advocate for collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement across all areas of academic operations.

Dr. Bergman holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Northern Illinois University, where his research examined the relationship between high school GPA and college-level course success. He also holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Iowa.

"I'm honored to step into this new role and continue working alongside outstanding faculty and staff to support our students," said Dr. Bergman. "Together, we will build on our momentum and ensure Illinois Central College continues to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and the communities we serve."

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Illinois Central College is a two-year community college with campuses in East Peoria, Peoria and Pekin, Illinois, providing a high-quality, affordable education to prepare students to enter the workforce or to transfer to a four-year institution. ICC is the 2020 awardee of the National Community College Charles Kennedy Equity Award from ACCT, a 2022 and 2025 EDA Good Job Challenge Institution, and the Lead College for the state of Illinois' Workforce Equity Initiative. ICC also conducts original research in agricultural fields, including water quality and soil conservation. For more information, visit icc.edu.

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