Dr. Jean Wihbey

Jean Wihbey

Palm Beach Community College

Dr. Jean Wihbey has been appointed the new provost of Palm Beach Community College's Palm Beach Gardens campus.

She was appointed by PBCC President Dennis P. Gallon following a nationwide search. "I am delighted and honored to be a part of the PBCC team,'' said Wihbey, who is scheduled to begin July 15. "PBCC is a leader in innovative education and training and a committed community partner. I am looking forward to meeting faculty, staff, students, and the community. Together, we can continue to explore ideas and accomplish great things. I am eager to begin our work."

Wihbey is currently dean of academic and student affairs at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted, Conn., where she has worked since 2003. Prior to that, she worked at Gateway Community College in Connecticut from 1999-2003 as associate dean of learning and student development at the North Haven campus for three years before becoming the college's associate dean of learning, corporate and continuing education.

Before joining Gateway, Wihbey worked as director of Middlesex Community College's Meriden Campus in Connecticut and held various positions at Naugatuck Valley Community College. She has received numerous awards including the 2008 Exemplary Leadership Award from the New England College Board and the Tamarack Woman of the Year award from the American Association of Women in Community Colleges.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University, a Master of Science degree in counseling from Southern Connecticut State University and a Ph.D. degree in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut. She is a nationally certified counselor. She has been an adjunct instructor in the Graduate School of Education, Counseling and School Psychology department at Southern Connecticut State University. She is an accreditation site visitor for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has participated in all aspects of the accreditation process.

ìThey refer a lot of people here,î says Jean A. Wihbey, associate dean of learning for corporate and continuing education at Gateway Community College.
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Computer training is in great demand at the moment, Wihbey says, and new GCC course offerings include Microsoft certification, CISCO expansion/planning and call center/customer service associate.

Another hot area is real estate.Gateway will offer 19 courses for the first time this fall.

Gateway also offers Saturday classes and is developing a weekend program.

Enrollment in business courses, ranging from ìhow to do a business plan to grant writing is another growth area, especially in the last nine or ten months,î says Wihbey, Enterpreneurship courses, such as those at Gateway and elsewhere, also are in demand these days (see related story).
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Interestingly, ìThe No. 1 personal enrichment program is motorcycle safety,î Wihbey says, adding students include women as well as weekend warriors (the guys who wear business suits during the week but strap on the helmets and leather jackets when they ride their Harleys).

A wine-tasting course is another winner, as are foreign language classes, Wihbey says.Reiki, tai chi and other holistic health courses will soon be added to the mix.

Jean Wihbey

Jean Wihbey, Ph.D. Palm Beach Community College 3160 PGA Boulevard Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410 561-207-5400 wihbeyj@pbcc.edu

Jean Wihbey, Ph.D. 3160 PGA Boulevard Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 561-207-5400 wihbeyj@pbcc.edu

"AdvantX Practice is used in over 900 physician practices nationwide, so this donation will provide our students with real-world skills and experience," said Dr. Jean Wihbey, Gateway Community College's Associate Dean of Learning.

"AdvantX Practice is used in over 900 physician practices nationwide, so this donation will provide our students with real-world skills and experience," said Dr. Jean Wihbey, Gateway Community College's Associate Dean of Learning.