Farmers Weekly Review

Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo

With a crowd that included his wife, Tiana, and son, Kainoa, as well as community leaders and presidential predecessors, Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo already was pumped for his investiture as Joliet Junior College’s 10th president on November 15.
But he was visibly emotional at the video presentations of his teenage sons, Kekoa and Maika, and a live-streamed message from his parents, Clyde and Pauline, who called in from his childhood home in Hawaii to wish their son well on his newest endeavor.
Namuo and likely many in the audience was especially emotional as his father broke down congratulation his son during the video message. Later, he explained his pride for his family, and the sacrifices his parents made that allowed one of their sons to become an attorney, and the other, a college president.
“My story is really one that honors my parents and their struggle and sacrifice to give my brother and me a better life. To them, higher education was the way out of abject poverty. They both grew up with nothing. They were poor, brown, and had no one around to guide their futures.
“Their stories contain all of the tragedies you might imagine but somehow, against all odds, they made their way to college and succeeded.”
To honor his parents and help those in similar circumstances, Namuo announced he and his wife had created the Namuo Family Endowed Scholarship for first-generation students.
“This scholarship, along with many others through the JJC Foundation, not only gives students necessary financial support, but also the opportunity to mo’olelo, to share their authentic stories. I’ve learned so much from students throughout my career, and I continue to be inspired by the extraordinary students I’ve met so far at JJC.
“(My parents’) persistence and hard work paved the way to a better life for my brother and me. They didn’t realize it at the time, but their decision to go to college had generational effects. I would not be a college president and my brother would not be an attorney if it wasn’t for the nearly impossible journey they took in their lives.
“Higher education broke the cycle of poverty for our family, and it will continue to do so for generations to come. My parents relied on the caring guidance of faculty and staff and the generous support of others to become successful students and professionals.”
Namuo also announced a new initiative at JJC – “12-12-12” – an effort to provide 12 college courses by Grade 12 for $12 each. He said studies show those who have earned college credit before high school graduation have a higher rate of graduating from college.
And to help fund the program, Namuo said the Joliet Junior College Foundation has set aside $500,000 as an endowment.
Prior to joining JJC, Namuo served as the interim president of Phoenix College, the flagship college of the Maricopa system serving the students and communities in and around Phoenix, Arizona.
There, he led the development of a shared governance structure and an aggressive equity agenda. Prior to Phoenix College, Namuo served as the vice president of learning and chief academic officer at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix.
At South Mountain, he instituted an equity initiative, the creation of a construction trade program, and expanded mobile technology across college instruction.
The announcement of President Judy Mitchell’s retirement spurred a national search. Namuo’s selection was announced by the Board of Trustees in April 2022, and he assumed the role as president on July 1, 2022.
Mitchell and former President J.D. Ross flanked Namuo during the procession into the hall. “The board chose you because they believe that you are the right person to build on (Dr. Mitchell’s) legacy of excellence and to prepare future generations for what is to come,” remarked Ross.
“I came to the same conclusion as the board based on my time with you at a candidate’s dinner. My positive reaction to your candidacy and subsequent selection has only been reinforced with every interaction we have had since your arrival.”
During his address, Namuo acknowledged the college’s legacy as the nation’s first public community college. He also noted the evolving role of higher education in modern society.
“I am so honored to serve as the president of the nation’s first community college; that significance is not lost on me,” Namuo stated. “I intend to honor its history and the energy that you all have as champions of JJC; and I intend to honor the privilege the board has bestowed upon me as its 10th president.
“Here is my commitment to you: that we collaboratively craft and implement a shared vision for the future of JJC, and we will do big things together. I have no interest in mediocrity or the status quo. When all is said and done we’re judged on the impact we have on the world.
“So, my commitment to you is that you will have all of me. My hope is that you will join me to ensure that JJC maintains and solidifies its legacy as not only the first but as the very best community college in the country.”
Farmers Weekly Review editor Nick Reiher contributed to this story.