HILLSBORO, Mo. – November 13, 2026 — After nearly twenty years serving Jefferson College, President Dr. Dena McCaffrey announced today her decision to retire at the end of her current contract, which expires on June 30, 2028. At that time, she will have been employed at the College for 21 years, with eight years serving as the College’s eighth president. Dr. McCaffrey also has the distinction of being the College’s first female president.
“Jefferson College has been such an important part of my professional and personal life, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” McCaffrey said in a statement to faculty and staff. “While I have had the privilege of serving as president, the progress we have made has never been the work of one person. It has been the result of talented and dedicated faculty and staff who believe deeply in our students, our mission, and one another. And, I’m not leaving just yet. There is still work to be done in the next eighteen months.”
The College’s Board of Trustees will undergo a comprehensive search for the College’s next president. Board of Trustees President Margie Passmore expressed her gratitude for Dr. McCaffrey’s service and reaffirmed their commitment to a smooth transition and thoughtful process in identifying the next leader for the institution.
“On behalf of our entire Jefferson College community, we sincerely thank Dr. McCaffrey for her many years of service to this institution,” said Passmore. “She led the College through critical years of change and helped build a strong culture that focuses on student success and support. Our next leader will be well-positioned to meet the challenges of the future because of Dr. McCaffrey’s steadfast leadership.”
“Dr. McCaffrey led the College through the unprecedented challenge of a global pandemic, without compromising the College’s legendary commitment to our students,” Passmore continued. “Her leadership allowed this College to thrive in the years that followed 2020, expanding allied health and workforce education, adding student housing, strengthening student services, and securing funding for new programs to better serve our community.”
Dr. Dena McCaffrey joined Jefferson College in 2007 as Director of Outreach and Education Sites, overseeing the institution’s vocational, technical and career-oriented programs until 2012 when she was promoted to Dean of Career and Technical Education. As Dean, she managed the College’s extended geographical footprint, including the establishment and expansion of the Arnold location. McCaffrey held that post until being chosen as the College’s eighth president in 2019, officially taking office in 2020. Prior to her tenure at Jefferson College, she worked in higher education administration at St. Louis University’s John Cook School of Business.
During Dr. Dena McCaffrey’s tenure as President, the institution has achieved notable campus infrastructure expansions, programmatic developments, and leadership recognition.
Arnold Campus Renovation ($5.2 Million): This project added a third floor and extensive renovations to the facility at the Arnold location. It allowed for the successful relocation and upgrading of the college’s Law Enforcement Academy and EMT programs, alongside the expansion of biology labs.
New Veterinary Technology Facility ($3+ Million): The College constructed a state-of-the-art, $3.02 million veterinary technology facility on the Hillsboro campus to significantly upgrade instructions from the original Career and Technical Education (CTE) setup.
Fine Arts Center: ($6 Million) The Jefferson College Fine Arts Center was reimagined with a $6 million construction project that added a grand lobby, art gallery, office space and an expansive music rehearsal hall, enclosing and connecting the theater with fine arts classrooms, rehearsal rooms and faculty offices in the Fine Arts Academic Building.
During Dr. Dena McCaffrey’s presidency, Jefferson College secured several high-level programmatic validations and national distinctions from peer educational groups.
The college maintains its overall institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), alongside 12 programmatic accreditations. Major achievements during her tenure include:
Early College Program (NACEP Accreditation): Jefferson College earned national initial accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). Recognized as the national gold standard for dual-credit programs, Jefferson College was one of only ten institutions nationwide to receive this initial accreditation during the 2025–2026 cycle.
HVAC Program National Renewal: The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Technology program successfully achieved a full six-year renewal of its national accreditation through HVAC Excellence, a third-party peer review validating industry-best training standards.
Child Development Center Recognition: The college’s Child Development Center achieved state accreditation for its seventh consecutive cycle through the Missouri Accreditation of Programs for Children and Youth, maintaining status as an exemplary regional program.
#1 Ranked Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program: The Jefferson College Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) program earned top statewide honors by ranking as the #1 performing program in Missouri for Measurable Skill Gains (MSG).
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA): The college maintains an active affiliation with the NJCAA, where its athletic programs consistently earn regional honors and academic All-American peer recognitions for student-athletes.
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC): Through continuous alignment with the AACC, the administration has implemented standardized student-success metrics that have contributed directly to institutional advancement.
National Civic Engagement Recognition: Insight Into Academia magazine awarded the institution the 2026 Civic Engagement and Community Service Award. This national honor came on the heels of the college being recognized for Civic Leadership and Democracy Engagement by the Higher Learning Commission, following documentation of over 1,400 students across 185 course sections participating in civic-focused initiatives.
In addition to institutional progress, Dr. McCaffrey has received individual accolades for her leadership footprint in the region. In 2024, Dr. McCaffrey was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of their Most Influential Business Women for her impact on local workforce development, community involvement, and higher education leadership. McCaffrey has served as an active and engaged civic leader in Jefferson County during her presidency, including serving on:
Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation Board to help guide business development and retention across the county.
Jefferson-Franklin County Workforce Development Board, bridging regional education programs with local industry hiring needs.
Arnold Rotary Club as a local civic member driving community-level service projects.
DESE Career and Technical Education Advisory Council through the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to steer Missouri’s vocational training guidelines.
“I have had the opportunity to work alongside extraordinary individuals who care deeply about this institution and the students and community we serve,” said McCaffrey. “Their commitment, creativity, resilience, and willingness to embrace change have made Jefferson College stronger. The successes we have experienced belong to all of us.”