Shawnee Community College names interim president

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

ULLIN, Ill., (KBSI) — Dr. Melanie Pecord has been named interim president of Shawnee Community College as the school begins a national search for its next leader.

The college’s Board of Trustees retained MKPecord Consulting LLC to provide executive leadership consulting services during the transition. Pecord’s appointment is effective immediately.

She succeeds Dr. Timothy Taylor, who recently announced he will resign effective Aug. 14.

Pecord has served as the college’s interim vice president of academic affairs since December 2025. In that role, she worked with Taylor, the Board of Trustees and the executive leadership team on institutional priorities, strategic initiatives and daily operations.

Before joining Shawnee Community College, Pecord spent nearly 30 years at John A. Logan College. She retired from that institution in 2023.