Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College President Pamela L. Alderman speaks with newly-appointed Board of Governors Chair Jarrod Fletcher during a regular session of the Board of Governors on March 6, 2025.
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College President Pamela L. Alderman speaks with newly-appointed Board of Governors Chair Jarrod Fletcher during a regular session of the Board of Governors on March 6, 2025.
LOGAN, W.Va. Ƶ The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education voted Monday to take control of the Board of Governors at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College and to place embattled President Pamela Alderman on paid administrative leave.
Dennison
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Alderman, a Logan County native, served as the collegeƵs president since 2020.
The Council appointed Corley Dennison, vice chancellor for academic affairs at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, as interim president until June 30, the same day AldermanƵs contract expires.
Joe Jenkins, who is the CouncilƵs attorney, said Dennison will be paid $100 per hour, which is based off a salary of $195,000 per year. He said itƵs anticipated that DennisonƵs contract will be extended beyond June 30.
The CouncilƵs Monday morning meeting was held on an ƵemergencyƵ basis due to Ƶadditional and serious concerns regarding the overall governance and operational stability of the institution.Ƶ They further stated in the meeting agenda that it was also due to Ƶthe urgent nature of these concerns and out of a belief that further delay could result in imminent and substantial harm to the institution and its ability to effectively serve its students, faculty, and staff.Ƶ
During the meeting, Vice Chancellor Chris Treadway read a resolution that placed Alderman on leave and removed all of her powers and access to the collegeƵs facilities and programs. Treadway said that since the March 19 Board of Governors meeting Ƶ in which AldermanƵs powers were limited by the Board Ƶ Alderman has continued to violate restrictions placed on her by the Board.
ƵThe president has taken actions in apparent violation of restrictions placed upon her by the board, including unauthorized communications with (the Higher Learning Committee) and unauthorized participation in media interviews despite clear directives to the contrary,Ƶ Treadway said.
The CouncilƵs resolution also took power over the Board of Governors, which will limit them from appointing, dismissing or overseeing a president for two years.
Christina Cameron, who serves as the CouncilƵs chair, said the move marks the first time the body has ever made such a decision.
ƵI would just like to take a moment just to say that this is not something that we as a council have taken lightly,Ƶ Cameron said. ƵIt was a hard decision to make, and I would like to thank the members of the Council and the folks at the CTC office for their guidance during this difficult transition.Ƶ
Treadway outlined some of the accusations against Alderman during the March 19 meeting that have led to the decisions. They include:
Attempting to purchase a luxury vehicle in excess of $90,000
Telling board members to file Freedom of Information Act requests for information that should be readily available to them
Terminating three employees who filed grievances against her
Sending complaints against the Board of Governors to the Higher Learning Commission
Appointing her ex-husband Bill Alderman to a high position at the college
Alderman has denied much of the allegations and even fired back at Treadway publicly on March 19.
ƵYou said you have lost confidence in me, but I have lost confidence in the commission,Ƶ Alderman said. ƵIƵve called numerous times asking for help. I called numerous times to talk to the chancellor and was told we donƵt get into that, you have to handle that, you have to figure that out, we cannot give you that information. I was given no information at all. You donƵt want to listen to the truth, and we are here with the truth.Ƶ
