CCP board votes to remove president, does not renew contract, and places him on immediate paid leave.

In a significant move devoid of public dialogue, the Board of Trustees at the Community College of Philadelphia has voted to place President Donald Guy Generals on immediate paid administrative leave and to discontinue his contract, effective before its scheduled expiration in June. The decision was reached during a public meeting held on Thursday, where 13 of the board’s 15 members were present. Notably absent were Rob Dubow, the city’s finance director, and State Representative Morgan Cephas.

Generals, aged 69, has been at the helm of the college for over a decade, and this decision comes as a notable shift in leadership at the institution. The board’s vote to place him on leave will ensure that he continues to receive remuneration until the conclusion of his contract. In discussions leading up to the vote, Generals acknowledged that the board intended not to renew his contract, labeling the action as unsubstantiated and referencing his tenure’s accomplishments.

Despite requests for transparency from board members and stakeholders, including Andrea Sanders, an executive committee member of the college’s foundation board, the trustees provided no clarification regarding the implications of their decision. Generals had indicated that the board informed him in December of the non-renewal intent, despite receiving an above-average performance evaluation during his tenure.

Support for Generals emerged during the meeting from various stakeholders, with many recognizing his leadership style and the positive changes implemented under his guidance. Among them was Loraine Ballard Morrill, a prominent figure in community outreach, who commended Generals as a transformative leader who championed equity, innovation, and access to education.

Under Generals’ leadership, the college has navigated through various challenges, including the turbulence caused by the pandemic. Notable achievements during his presidency include a successful fundraising record and a remarkable rebound in student enrollment, which currently stands at 12,400 credit students. This figure represents one of the highest enrollments among community colleges across Pennsylvania.

Generals’ tenure included challenges like contentious labor negotiations with faculty and staff unions; however, he managed to ensure job security and continued financial support for employees during the pandemic, preserving staff salaries despite a downturn in student enrollment.

Looking ahead, the implications of this leadership change remain to be seen, particularly with the municipal funding that supports the college. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has yet to comment on the board’s decision. As the college prepares for its next chapter, stakeholders await further developments and clarity on the direction of its leadership.