Zerrie D. Campbell is the seventh President of Malcolm X College, and the first woman to be permanently appointed to the position. She began her career with the City Colleges of Chicago in 1974 as Director of Student Support Services at Malcolm X College. During her career, she has served as a faculty member at Malcolm X and Harold Washington colleges; Associate Vice Chancellor for Liberal Arts and Sciences at the district office, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Ms. Campbell was a member of the City colleges' Interim District Management, directing the day-to-day operations of the seven college district for 15 months with two other City college Presidents. Ms. Campbell is a member of the Consultant Evaluator Corps for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1996, she was appointed to a four-year term as a member of the Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials of the American council on Education. In 1998, Ms. Campbell was elected to a three-year term to the American Association of community Colleges Board of Directors (AACC). She also served on the American Association of Community colleges commission on community and Economic Development (94-97). Additionally, a ten year participant in the National Institute for Leadership Development's Leaders project, she assists in the development of other women in higher education as a faculty member of the "Kaleidoscope" Professional Development Workshop.
Ms.Campbell is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2000 Expo for Today's Black Women Phenomenal Woman Award; The 1999 Salute to Black Presidents Award; the 1999 Harold Washington College Outstanding Women Award; 1998 7th Congressional District Outstanding Educator Award; the 1998 Chicago Business Women Executive of the Month; 1997 Today's Chicago Woman Magazine 100 Women Making a Difference; N'Digo Magapaper 100 People 'N' The Know; the Martin Luther King Legacy Award; the 1996 Kizzy Award; 1995 President of the Year, American Association for Women in Community Colleges, (AAWCC); the 1993 Orchid Award from the Top Ladies of Distinction; and the 1993 National Association of University Women's Distinguished Imprint Award.
Under her leadership, Malcolm X College was awarded the Illinois Community College Board 1997 Award for Excellence in Workforce Preparation; the ICCB's 1995 Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; and the ICCB's 1994 Award for Excellence in Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning; and Ms. Campbell successfully negotiated an agreement with the United Center Joint Venture-owners of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks-resulting in $1.6 million in scholarships and other student support for the College's parking lot.
Ms. Campbell is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Science Degree. Additionally she holds a master of Arts Degree from Chicago State University. She is a member of numerous civic and professional organizations, among them The Chicago Network, Xi Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Renaissance Women. Ms. Campbell is an active member of the following boards: the American Association of Community Colleges, the United Center Community Economic Development Fund; Habilitative Systems Incorporated; Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center; and the Community Bank of Lawndale Advisory Board. A practitioner of "empowerment through education," Zerrie Campbell is a partner, working with all segments of the college community to build bridges to make educational opportunities available to every student Malcolm X College serves.
A dynamic speaker, Zerrie Campbell has presented workshops on diversity, institutional politics and women in higher education locally, state wide and nationally. She speaks frequently at schools and churches throughout the Chicago area on the importance of education and the "keys to success". A practitioner of "each one teach one" philosophy, she was recognized by the Illinois chapters of the American Association of Women un Community Colleges for her presentation of "Thriving of Institutional Politics", a workshop of leadership development for community college women. An outstanding leader in her own right, Ms. Campbell always recognizes the achievement s of the members of the college family, frequently identifying opportunities and referring other faculty and staff to present workshops, seminars and forums in their areas of specialization. She is very involved in student life, and is a familiar figure at student activities. Her enthusiasm for Malcolm X College and its mission is being felt locally and nationally through increasing enrollments in both the college's (credit and non-credit) divisions and increased numbers of students transferring to four-year colleges and universities.
Amended 3/10/00