Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) announced its new Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA): Dr. Vincent Bridges. Dr. Bridges has served as OCCC’s Dean of Health Professions ” one of the college’s more prominent departments in the community, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic ” since 2018. After a national search and first-round screenings, six highly-qualified candidates were selected and interviewed internally by a selection committee composed of OCCC faculty and staff; then, the candidates were interviewed in a public forum accessible to all OCCC faculty and staff; faculty and staff who watched the public forum were able to provide their feedback and preferences via an anonymous survey; and finalists were then interviewed by Interim President Dr. Jeremy Thomas and Executive Vice President Danita Rose.

“Dr. Bridges has served with distinction here,” said OCCC Interim President Dr. Jeremy Thomas. “I look forward to working with him as we chart the future of OCCC together.”

Dr. Bridges’ leadership spanned programs including Nursing, Respiratory Care, Medical Services, Anesthesia Technology, Compliance, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy Assistant, Speech Language Pathology Assistant, Emergency Medical Sciences, and Anesthesia Technology and Compliance. Dr. Bridges and his staff have helped OCCC become the number two nursing program in Oklahoma, and one of the leading employment pathways for healthcare organizations around the state. Dr. Bridges has been a leader in the healthcare industry since 1984. He earned his PhD in Organizational Leadership & Management from Argosy University, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Oklahoma State University, a Master’s in Adult Education and a Bachelor’s in Health Science from the University of Central Oklahoma.

“To be a part of the wonderful changes happening at OCCC is so moving,” said Dr. Bridges. “I am so grateful to work with our faculty on a daily basis, and am humbled to represent them as their Chief Academic Officer.”

With more than 60 majors to choose from, and more than 40 student-led clubs and organizations, OCCC offers an affordable, accredited college education to around 17,000 students annually, and serves thousands more in non-credit classes and programs. OCCC offers associate degrees, certifications and leadership opportunities to all Oklahomans, whoever they are, whomever they love, wherever they’ve been and wherever they’re going.

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