Dr. Phil A. Sutphin, president of East Central Community College in Decatur, recently began his tenure as Chairman of the Board of the Rural Community College Alliance, a national association whose emphasis is on “improving the educational and economic prospects for rural America,” according to the RCCA Web site.

Dr. Sutphin assumed the chairman’s role at the 2009 RCCA Conference held in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, Oct. 13-15. He served two terms as vice chair prior to taking over the chairmanship. One of his duties as vice chairman included planning and hosting the 2008 conference, which was held in Biloxi.

The ECCC leader said RCCA’s goal this year “is promoting rural community colleges as the best local institution to promote rural development in the United States and Canada.”

RCCA is an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to promote the rural agenda.

Dr. Sutphin said RCCA began as a “sustainability effort” from the Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI) grant ECCC participated in during the early 2000’s to promote rural economic development.

Dr. Sutphin has served as ECCC president since 2000. He previously served the College as dean of instruction and dean of students.