Dr. John O’Donnell

Dr. John O’Donnell

Jonathan Bower, chair of the MassBay Board of Trustees, recently announced that an agreement has been reached with Dr. John O’Donnell to become the fifth president of MassBay Community College, subject to approval by the state Board of Higher Education. During a May 15 special meeting, the MassBay Board confirmed that O’Donnell was the body’s first choice by a unanimous vote.

 O’Donnell has served as president of Stark State College in Ohio since January 2004.   

During his career, O’Donnell has taught psychology on the associate, baccalaureate and graduate degree levels; practiced as a counseling and clinical psychologist; and has held leadership positions in community/technical colleges. Previous positions include leadership roles at North Shore Community College in Massachusetts, president of the Regional Campuses of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System and commissioner and CEO of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System.

O’Donnell received a B.A. in history from Queens College of the City University of New York and his M.Ed. and Ph.D. from Boston College.