Joe D. May

Dr. Joe D. May is an educator and leader in the post-secondary college and technical school field. Dr. May earned his doctorate in education from Texas A&M-Commerce and a Master of Education and Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. A native of Northeast Texas, Dr. May has been married to his wife, Jeanne, for 38 years.

During his career, Dr. May has provided leadership for successful organizations throughout the United States and abroad. His background includes serving in leadership roles in business organizations, as well as public and private colleges and universities. He has provided consulting services to new community college initiatives in Japan, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Dr. May's experience ranges from having served as a counselor and a faculty member to the Chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District.

Before his move to the Dallas County Community College District, Dr. May served as system president for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. He was associated with a Dallas-based private equity firm, Best Merchant Partners, where he helped to develop two major for-profit educational initiatives, the American College of Education in Chicago, Illinois, and Bogota Community College in Bogota, Colombia. He also held positions as the Associate Vice President for Institutional Partnerships at Regis University in Denver (Colorado), Dean of Instruction and Student Development at Danville (Virginia) Community College and at Vernon College (Texas), was Dean of Student Services at Navarro College (Texas), and Assistant Professor of Education at Sul Ross State University (Texas).

He is chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD).

In his former position as president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, unduplicated enrollment grew from 71,000 to 111,000. Dr. May was the driver behind developing and passing landmark legislation that has made available over $200 million in construction funds for technical and community colleges. He also moved adult education from a K-12 program to a community and technical college program, and established a model articulation and transfer initiative that is enabling more students to pursue a baccalaureate degree. He is also the President of Rebuilding America’s Middle Class (RAMC).