Humble departure

As president of the college, McKinley Williams dedicates part of his days to walking around campus and warmly greeting students, faculty and staff members.

Many of his colleagues, who know him simply as "Mack," acknowledge he is equally concerned about his employees' happiness as he is about each student's success.

"He's constantly supporting the college because he really loves this place," Interim Vice President Donna Floyd said. "Mack is a big part of the campus community."

Although Williams does call the shots and is in some ways married to the smooth operation, he refuses to take credit for the opportunities for success Contra Costa College offers students.

"It's hard for me to take ownership of anything that's been done at this college," Williams said. "It's the people here who make a difference."

But now, the spotlight is shining on him. The 66-year-old will enter retirement Dec. 31 after serving CCC since 1989 and as president since 2006.

He is leaving fulfilled with his 21 years of service, but some of Williams' colleagues said the college will feel empty without him.

"I'm very happy for him but I hate to see him go," district Chancellor Helen Benjamin said. "We're going to miss him."

Although she does not have doubt that the college will pick a qualified president to fill the position, Dr. Benjamin does acknowledge that finding someone with such a deep connection to the institution will be difficult.

"Twenty-one years of his life have been spent in one place," Benjamin said. "He could have worked anywhere he wanted to but his commitment was in that community and in that college."

The college has picked retired Los Medanos College vice president Daniel Henry as William's interim replacement from Jan. 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. The district has yet to open up the full-time position for someone to serve after Henry's term ends.

Fighting for the underdog

Williams was happy to learn he was hired as the dean of instruction in 1990 to work at a college located in the same urban area in which he grew up.

Prior to getting the job at CCC, Williams worked in the Peralta Community College District for 14 years.  In 1976, Williams began teaching psychology at Merritt College. Over the next decade or so, he worked as director of research and planning at the Peralta district office, interim dean of instruction at the College of Alameda and full-time dean of instruction again at Merritt College.

William's placement at CCC was one of the major contributing factors to the strong connection the college developed with the West County community.  The Richmond-native used his reputation and social skills to make CCC more recognizable.

"He is continuously engaged in community," Floyd said. "He's a product of this environment and he doesn't forget that."

The appeal of working in close connection with city leaders and influential people to make CCC more visible and accessible to low-income youth drove Williams.

He would spend his days off going to community events just to meet and greet people and to associate his face with the college.

"This was a rare opportunity to work with people in our community," Williams said. "We changed the lives of the students."

Williams eventually branded CCC as "The premier community college right in your backyard."

When people first heard those words come out of his mouth, they shrugged it off.

"When he first made the proclamation, people made little chuckles and didn't take it very seriously," Floyd said. "He owned it and he felt it. That was his legacy.

"More and more of us began owning that and believing in the slogan."

Administration of justice department Chairperson Rick Ramos said Williams became a role model for faculty and staff who saw his dedication to making sure students succeeded.

"McKinley has always fought for this college," Ramos said. "He knows how hard it is to grow up in this area so he fights for people of color, non-English speakers and first-generation college students."

Community representatives and members have associated his face with the success of the local youth.

"The college has evolved into a real effective institution," Williams said. "It's a known fact that we have some of the best faculty, staff and managers working here."

Williams said he was inspired by the talent coming out of local high schools and wanted to make sure low-income students could pave a road to success through an affordable education at CCC. He also saw education as an escape from the violence West County residents face.

"When you see what's happening in the community you want to do something about it," Williams said. "They don't have a lot of choices."

He said faculty, staff and managers at CCC care more for student success than at many other colleges.

"We're not the biggest college and we're not the best college, but we do have the passion," he said. "If we had different people working here we wouldn't be as successful."

Problem solver

Williams is known for his compassion and ideas when listening to the problems his co-workers and students face.

"He's thoughtful and actually listening to what you have to say," ASU President Rodney Wilson said. "He respects our opinion and wants to hear what we want to say."