Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) celebrated the retirement of President Jackie Screws on Tuesday, November 18, with a special reception at the CVCC Workforce Training Center. The event brought together family, community leaders, faculty, staff, retirees, and longtime colleagues to honor her remarkable 38 years of service to higher education and to the Alabama Community College System.  

Screws, who has served as CVCC’s president since 2018, was recognized throughout the evening for her steady leadership, commitment to student success, and lasting impact on both the campus and the surrounding community. Accolades attesting to her exemplary service came from across the Chattahoochee Valley Region, and the states of Alabama and Georgia, as resolutions from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, the Alabama State Senate, the Mayor of the City of Phenix City, and the Mayor of the City of Columbus were presented.   Guests also shared stories of her knowledge of higher education, her dedication, her approachable leadership style, and the many ways she guided CVCC through significant growth and transformation.  

Under her leadership, CVCC has experienced enrollment growth, expanded academic pathways, strengthened partnerships with community leaders and local industry, and completed several major capital projects, including the opening of the Workforce Training Center, a newly acquired maintenance building and a bookstore, a remodeled student center, and an upgraded Welding Lab. Developments also included improvements to both the softball and baseball fields and a one-stop student success center that is currently under construction.   

The College has also achieved several milestones to exemplify its commitment to excellence in education and operational strength, to include the successful reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and programmatic accreditation with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) for the nursing and medical laboratory technology programs respectively.  The College has also expanded it educational program offerings, with the newest programs being electrical technology and truck driver training (endorsements A and B).  

During the reception, colleagues expressed their appreciation for Screws’ forward-thinking vision and her commitment to keeping students at the heart of every decision. Many reflected on her ability to cultivate an environment of growth, collaboration, and innovation, qualities that have positioned CVCC for continued growth and success.

Screws thanked attendees for their support throughout her career, noting that the College’s achievements were the result of shared dedication and teamwork.

“Everything we have accomplished has been because of the people who believe in this institution, our faculty, our staff, our students, our supporters, and our community,” she said. “When I became president, I made a promise that I would leave CVCC better than I found it. Standing here today, I am proud to say – mission accomplished! I am proud of the progress we’ve made and confident that CVCC is prepared to take its next step forward.”

Her retirement marks the end of a distinguished career in higher education, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and lifelong impact.