Decatur, IL – Richland Community College is proud to introduce the community to their newest vice presidents: Dr. Sheldon Walcher as Vice President of Academic Services (VPAS) and Dr. Justin Willis as Vice President of Student Success (VPSS).
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Walcher and Dr. Willis to our executive team,” said Richland President Cristobal Valdez, Ed.D. “Each brings an exceptional depth of experience, expertise, and perspective that will strengthen our institution and help us navigate the opportunities ahead. Their leadership will be instrumental as we shape the future of our college, advance our strategic priorities, and continue building an institution that serves our students and community with distinction. I am excited to see the impact they will make and grateful to have their talents helping guide our next chapter.”
Dr. Sheldon Walcher will take on the role of Vice President of Academic Services. He will serve as Chief Academic Officer – protecting the integrity of the College’s academics with effective leadership, planning, resource management, and continuous improvement initiatives. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students and community partners, Dr. Walcher will lead the integration of teaching, learning, and student success strategies across the College.
Dr. Walcher has nearly three decades of experience in higher education, including more than a decade in community college administration. His work has focused on strengthening teaching and learning, improving student success, and helping colleges build strong partnerships with the diverse communities they serve. Most recently, Dr. Walcher served as Provost and Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs at Morton College, where he oversaw the college’s instructional and student services divisions. Previously, he served as Dean of Communication Arts, Humanities, and Fine Arts at the College of Lake County and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kankakee Community College.
Before entering community college administration, Dr. Walcher held faculty appointments at Roosevelt University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the University of Tennessee. He currently serves as a Professor of Practice in the John E. Roueche Community College Leadership Program at Kansas State University, where he teaches doctoral students preparing for executive leadership in community colleges.
Dr. Walcher holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Utah, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Penn State University, and an M.S. in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University.
Dr. Justin Willis is Richland’s Vice President of Student Success. As Chief Student Affairs Officer, he will foster the success of Richland’s students – leading student recruitment, admissions, retention, completion and conduct. Through his work, Dr. Willis will meet the needs of a diverse student population and create a learning environment where all students can succeed.
Dr. Willis is an innovative leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing student success through strategic enrollment and student services leadership, organizational innovation, and collaborative partnerships. He currently serves as Executive Director of Admissions, Recruitment, Financial Aid, and Veterans Services at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP), leading a team of over 30 professionals. During his tenure, the university has experienced enrollment growth, culminating in its largest entering class in four decades through strategic, data-informed enrollment initiatives with a focus on campus-wide collaboration.
Throughout his career, Dr. Willis has championed initiatives that strengthen institutions while expanding educational opportunity — including tuition promise programs, a statewide direct admissions initiative representing UWSP among participating UW System institutions, and strategic partnerships with employers, school districts, community organizations, and higher education institutions to improve student access, success, and pathways to degrees and careers. He has also prioritized expanding opportunities for first-generation students, justice-involved learners, and those from historically underserved backgrounds, building partnerships across education, business, and local communities to remove barriers and create meaningful pathways.
Dr. Willis earned his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. His counseling background continues to shape his leadership philosophy: listening first, building trust before strategy, and approaching student success through the full student lifecycle from first contact to completion and beyond.
As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Willis brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to the work of expanding student success. He believes student services is the front door of the institution, shaping students’ first, and often most critical, touchpoint in their college experience. That same commitment to connection extends to how he works with colleagues and partners, guided by his belief that “rapport is always under construction.”
The vice presidents will be instated at Richland pending Board of Trustee approval on August 18. Once approved, they will join the College on or about September 8.