West Windsor, N.J. – After an extensive search, Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Deborah Preston, Ph.D., as its new President, the seventh in its history.

With a career spanning 30 years of dedicated service, Preston joins MCCC with a proven track record that illustrates her steadfast commitment to ensuring students receive a quality education in a welcoming environment, equipped with the proper resources needed to succeed.

“I am proud to welcome Dr. Preston as Mercer County Community College’s incoming president and look forward to her leadership as we move the college forward,” said Mark Matzen, Chair, MCCC Board of Trustees. “Dr. Preston’s experience and reputation as a leader who brings people together to ensure student success is exactly what we need. I am excited about the future of the college.”

“It is my honor and privilege to be selected as the seventh president of Mercer County Community College,” said Preston. “MCCC is an institution that is passionate about serving students and the residents of Mercer County, and I am thrilled to join the dedicated faculty, staff and administrators on both campuses as we work together to provide inclusive, high-quality education for our community.”

Prior to joining MCCC, Preston served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), where she was responsible for the executive coordination of all campus operations in direct collaboration with the President. She also oversaw RVCC’s academic affairs as Chief Academic Officer. A supporter of meaningful change, Preston developed and implemented college-wide initiatives for student equity and success, advocated internally and externally for campus resources and provided innovative leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, Preston served in various roles with Montgomery College and Georgia Perimeter College (now Perimeter College at Georgia State University). In these roles, she spearheaded the revision of statewide general education requirements and served on the Academic Issues Committee sub-group to update statewide program approval processes.

Preston earned a Ph.D. in English from Tulane University. She earned her undergraduate and post graduate degrees from Florida State University. She succeeds outgoing President Dr. Jianping Wang, who recently announced her retirement.

“Addressing a post-pandemic world will not be easy, but Mercer County Community College will lead the way with the appointment of Dr. Preston. As chair of the Presidential Search Committee, I believe we hit a trifecta: a great search firm in RH Perry, engaged colleagues on the search committee, and the selection of the best candidate to assume the role of Mercer County Community College president,” said Kevin Drennan, Treasurer, MCCC Board of Trustees.

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Dr. Deborah Preston has been named MCCC's seventh president.