Community Colleges: 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Trends to Watch
December 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST
Community Colleges: 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Trends to Watch
Convergent is excited to host a panel discussion of Community College leaders from across the country to look back at 2025 and discuss key trends that they are watching for 2026.
Dr. Tracy Kruse - VP of Development & External Affairs at Northeast CC (bio coming soon)
Dr. Anne M. Kress - President of Northern Virginia Community College (bio coming soon)
Dr. John Rainone - President of Mountain Gateway CC
On July 8, 2013, Dr. John J. Rainone became the fourth president of Mountain Gateway Community College. He brings over 35 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, and chief executive officer to this College.
Dr. Rainone received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern New Hampshire University and earned a doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University. He is a first-generation college student and the first member of his family to earn an advanced degree. He is also a graduate of the League for Innovation Executive Institute and completed the Harvard University Seminar for First-Year Presidents.
A native of Providence, Rhode Island, he served in business and education as the training and education administrator for the New Hampshire Technical College at Manchester. He was on the founding team to build the newly created York County Community College (Maine) where he served the college for 18 years in various senior-level positions in workforce development, academic affairs, finance, and institutional advancement.
A passion of Dr. Rainone’s is teaching, and he brings over 33 years as an adjunct faculty member at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of business research methods, teaching at the college level, nonprofit management, organizational behavior and leadership and fundraising and development.
Dr. Rainone serves as the Immediate Past-Chair of the Rural Community College Alliance Board of Directors and has served as a Board of Director for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Chair of the Commission on Small and Rural Colleges, and a member of AACC's Task Force on Apprenticeships. He is the immediate past Chief Volunteer Officer for the Alleghany YMCA, and immediate past Chair of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. He is a member of the Western Virginia Workforce Board, Virginia Foundation for Community College Education, Valley Innovations Council, Roanoke Regional Partnership, Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation, and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Planning Commission. He is also the past Chair of the Board for Lewis-Gale Hospital Alleghany, is an honorary board member of the Historic Masonic Theatre, and a 25-year member of Rotary International. Rainone also serves as the Virginia Community College Statewide Chair for Phi Theta Kappa International (PTK) Society.
In 2016, Dr. Rainone was awarded the “Emerging Leadership” Award from AACC as well as received the “Giving Back” Diversity Leadership Award from Insight into Diversity magazine. In 2021, Rainone was named "Entrepreneurial President of the Year" by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.
In addition, he received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award from Southern New Hampshire University, was recognized by the Seacoast (Maine and New Hampshire) Media Group as a “Mover and Shaker”, and as the Rotarian of the Decade by Rotary District 7780. In addition, Rainone has raised over $60 million in his career as a chief advancement officer and executive.
He is an honorary member of PTK and has held the distinction of being a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2007.
Dr. Christopher M. Reber - President of Hudson County CC
Dr. Christopher M. Reber has devoted his entire career to higher education. On July 1, 2018, he became the eighth president of Hudson County Community College (HCCC) in Jersey City, Union City, and Secaucus, New Jersey. Located in one of the most densely populated and diverse areas of the United States, HCCC serves more than 24,000 credit and noncredit students and 1,000 employees annually on three urban campuses near New York City.
Dr. Reber is leading and supporting the College’s engagement in local, regional and national partnerships that support transformative, life-changing opportunities for students and the community. He is committed to transparency and the full participation of students, faculty, staff and community members in the life of the College. Dr. Reber continues to lead for excellence and outcomes that have attracted local, statewide and national recognition. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) named him Community College CEO of the Year in 2024.
Dr. Reber has led the development of the Hudson County Community College 2024-29 Strategic Plan. Entitled “The Community’s College: Embracing Our History, Shaping Our Future,” the plan is focused on HCCC’s mission to provide its diverse communities with inclusive, high-quality educational programs and services that promote student success and upward social and economic mobility. The College’s values are anchored to its growing culture of care, which has resulted in students coining the phrase, “Hudson is Home!,” the College’s tagline.
Prior to arriving at HCCC, Dr. Reber served as president of Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) near Pittsburgh, PA, where he led new initiatives in support of a student-centered learning environment; institutional engagement and excellence; strategic enrollment management; regional partnerships; and a culture of planning, assessment and improvement.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Reber served for 12 years as Executive Dean of Venango College of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he supported the development of new programs and stackable credentials including certificates, associate degrees, applied baccalaureates and graduate degrees. Dr. Reber led the development and approval of Clarion University’s first doctoral degree in nursing practice.
Dr. Reber’s career also includes 18 years at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, where he served as the Chief Development, University Relations and Alumni Relations Officer during a successful $50 million capital campaign within a $1.3 billion university-wide campaign; and as Chief Student Affairs Officer during a period of significant college growth.
Dr. Reber holds a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa; a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, where he was named Graduate Student of the Year; and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds a post-graduate certificate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Reber lives in Kearny, New Jersey, with his husband, Kerry Stetler and their two Boston Terriers, Greta and Gilda. He is the father of Jonathan Reber, 29, an avid fly fisherman living in Colorado and pursuing a degree in automative technology at Front Range Community College; and Katherine Reber, 27, a recent graduate of University of Cambridge (UK) and Kenyon College, who is currently pursuing doctoral studies in English at Duke University.
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Testimonials
Andrew Keenan
“The fact that Convergent could make the ask was huge. Working with our director and joining solicitations made me a better fundraiser – that was the right formula for us. Moving forward I feel much more confident in making asks and telling our story, and that is going to make us more sustainable in the long run.”
Andrew Keenan, Executive Director Callanwolde Fine Arts Center | Atlanta, GA
Lisa Zaken
“In the span of six short months, our Board went from being nervous about the initial campaign investment to being ecstatic with the attainment of our goal, and our subsequent stretch goal! Convergent can do it like no other. Their system is rigorous and extremely effective. We have nothing but great things to say about this organization!”
Lisa Zaken, President & CEO Leadership Gwinnett | Duluth, GA
Dion Davis
“The strategy and support offered by Convergent helped our Board expand its vision for the Foundation, which in turn helped to refocus and redefine our organization's impact in our community. The methodology behind their capital campaign process not only helps to raise more money in the immediate, but it also builds best practices for long-term investor relations and lays groundwork for the success of future funding initiatives.”
Dion Davis, Former Executive Director Jekyll Island Foundation | Jekyll Island, GA
Robin Mauck
“Working with Convergent has been a pleasure all the way around. Their approach is customized to your organization and their expertise is unmatched in the field. The Convergent team immersed themselves in our process, culture, and goals to provide exceptional value during our campaign. They truly walk alongside you every step of the way!”
Robin Mauck, Executive Director Obria Medical Clinics Gwinnett | Lawrenceville, GA
Aimee Hall
“I loved working with Convergent. I never could have done what Convergent did. If you want to run a successful campaign, you need to bring in that expertise. Thanks to their help, our capital campaign really took us to the next level within our community.”
Aimee Hall, Executive Director Safe Homes Domestic Violence Center | Augusta, GA
Phillip Aldridge
“I wanted to thank everyone from the Convergent team who assisted in our campaign. Of the varying ways the campaign’s success may be measured, I count it a blessing that we achieved what we did. Not just the funds committed but the contacts made, the level of exposure reached, and ultimately, what the funds and exposure mean in terms of how many more we now serve as a result. My thanks is in recognition and appreciation for Convergent serving as our fundraising counsel and for the patience and professionalism demonstrated throughout the campaign. You were a godsend for Valley Healthcare!”
Phillip Aldridge, Board Chair Valley Healthcare System | Colombus, GA
Jeff Taylor
“Early in our campaign feasibility study it became apparent that we lacked the Asking Rights necessary to conduct a capital campaign. As a result, Convergent’s knowledgeable consultants prepared an extensive plan of action that is a road map for growing our awareness and philanthropy. A successful capital campaign will be possible in the near future. Their entrepreneurial approach will definitely get you where you want to go.”
Jeff Taylor, CEO MedCura Health, formerly Oakhurst Medical Center | Stone Mountain, GA
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