Donald Guy Generals, Ed.D.
President, Community College of Philadelphia

Dr. Donald Generals, a strong advocate for community colleges, is the sixth president of Community College of Philadelphia. He began his tenure on July 1, 2014.

With a focus on student success, Dr. Generals outlined the strategic direction for the College in his “Impact 2025” vision statement. The College is currently one of 30 community colleges in the nation selected as an American Association of Community Colleges Pathways college. The Pathways Institute is committed to redesigning programs and student support services essential for student success and degree completion.

An educator and seasoned researcher, Dr. Generals is an expert on the roots of the progressive education movement in America. This concept is advanced by leading educators who believe schools must be effective agencies of a democratic society. In 2013, Dr. Generals authored a book titled, Booker T. Washington: The Architect of Progressive Education. As he is drawn to the democratic mission of community colleges, he said, “Our mission demands that we pursue strategies that enable our students to achieve their goals, with the understanding that their successes serve the best interest of our economy and our community.”

Education

• Doctor of Education Degree, Rutgers University
• Master of Arts, Urban Education/Community Service, William Paterson College
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, William Paterson College

Recent Honors

• Philadelphia Business Journal's 2018 Power 100
• Most Influential African Americans, The Philadelphia Tribune 
• Philadelphia Tuskegee Alumni Honoree

Community and Board Responsibilities

• Board of Directors, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
• Board of Directors, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
• Board Member, Free Library of Philadelphia
• Board Member, Philadelphia Works
• Board Member, Urban Affairs Coalition
• Board Member, Campus Philly
• Board Member, Friends Select School
• Board Member, National Alliance of Community and Technical Colleges

Publications and Presentations

Dr. Generals has a national voice on issues related to community colleges through publications and presentations.

Publications

Generals, D., and D. Perkins (2019) “Modern Day Heroes: A Celebration.” Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, May 23, 2019. 

Generals, D. (2018) “Workforce Development in the Nonprofit Sector.” Journal of Change (page 14), Independence Blue Cross Foundation, December, 2018.

Generals, D. (2013) "Booker T. Washington: The Architect of Progressive Education." Strategic Book Publishing and Publishing Rights Co. Houston, TX.

Generals, D. (2012) "Colleges Must Not Lose Sight of General Education Role." Community College Week, March 5, 2012. Volume 24, No. 15.

Generals, D. (2011) "Service Learning Can Bridge Student Success-Course Gap." Community College Week, March 7, 2011. Volume 25, No. 15.

Generals, D. (2009) "A Project-Focused Approach to Remedial Education." Community College Times, September 3, 2009. Volume XXI, No. 18.

Generals, D. (2002) "The Architect of Progressive Education: John Dewey or Booker T. Washington." Journal of Intercultural Disciplines. St. Lawrence University, Canton NY. Volume 31, No. 2.

Generals, D. (2002) "Language of Leadership." (A Review of a Roger Soder book.) Planning for Higher Education. Society for College and University Planning. Ann Arbor, MI. Volume 11, No. 1.

Generals, D. (2001) "Booker T. Washington and Progressive Education: An Exerimentalist Approach to Curriculum Development and Reform." Journal of Negro Education. Howard University, Washington, D.C. Volume 69, No. 3.

Generals, D. (1999) "Cast Down Your Buckets: The Progressive Ideas of Booker T. Washington." UMI Dissertation Services: Ann Arbor, MI.

Presentations

Citizen Speaks: How the Colleges and Universities Impact the Social and Economic Environment of Philadelphia. Fellow panelists included presidents of University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University and Drexel University. April 2017.

Booker T. Washington Alumni Association of Philadelphia—Keynote Speaker and Honoree. April 2017.

A View from the Top: The State of Higher Education—Keynote Speaker. The North East Regional Registrar and Admissions Directors Annual Conference. November 2016.

The Future of Higher Education—Keynote Speaker. Statewide Bursars Annual Conference, Atlantic City. Spring 2017.

Olney High School Graduation—Keynote Speaker. June 2017.

Rising to the Challenge: Supporting Student Success and College Completion at Democracy's Colleges. College Board Middle States Regional Forum. January 2012.

Home-Grown and Low-Cost Repository for Institutional Effectiveness Assessment: A Custom SharePoint "App." NJEdge.net Annual Conference: Pedagogy, Methodology, Technology. November 16, 2011.

General Education: The Foundations for General Education in New Jersey and the Guiding Principles for Affirming Course Status—A Way Forward. New Jersey Council of County Colleges' Best Practices Conference. April 2011.

New Jersey's Developmental Education Initiative: Focusing on Student Success (Featured Session). New Jersey Council of Community Colleges, 2010 Best Practices Conference. April 2010.

The Architect of Progressive Education: John Dewey or Booker T. Washington. Presentation at the National Conference for the National Association of African American Studies, 2000 Manuscript Series. Houston, TX. February 2000.

Teaching to Transgress by Bell Hooks: A Critical Analysis of Bell Hooks' Philosophy of Library Education. Women's History Month Conference, Passaic County Community College. Paterson, NJ. May 1996.

Positions

• Dean of Student and Cultural Affairs, Passaic County College, 1995 to 2000
• Passaic County College, 1984 to 1995