Column | Presentations | Administration | Governance | Planning

J.D. Rottweiler, Ph.D. 

Dr. James Dale (J.D.) Rottweiler became the 11th president of Cochise College on July 1, 2009. J.D. comes to Cochise College with more than 15 years of community college experience, ranging from small, rural colleges to large, multi-campus, urban institutions. A first-generation college graduate himself, J.D. understands the importance of education in enhancing one’s quality of life.

J.D. earned a bachelor of arts in sociology with a Japanese minor in 1990, and a master of arts in sociology in 1992 from the University of Wyoming. In 2005, he earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah. His dissertation, “Presidential Profiles: University Presidents by Institutional Type, Control, and Reputation,” established mobility patterns for American university presidents.

J.D.’s area of expertise is in cultural studies and social mobility. He has spent a significant amount of time in Japan and produced the documentary film “A 20th Century Matsuri: The Secularization of the Japanese Religious Festival.”

A teacher at heart, J.D. enjoys any opportunity to teach others the subtle meanings and influences of culture and social structure.

Prior to becoming president of Cochise College, he was executive vice president for academic services and professor of sociology at Central Wyoming College. He has served as associate dean of instruction at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa, and on the faculty at Ricks College, now Brigham Young University - Idaho, and was associate professor/chair of the Department of Sociology at Salt Lake Community College. He also is a consultant/evaluator with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

J.D. is a graduate of the Community College Leadership Initiative Consortium, the Salt Lake Leadership Academy, and Leadership Fremont County in Wyoming. In 2006, he was recognized as one of Wyoming’s “40 under 40,” individuals under the age of 40 making a difference in Wyoming.

J.D.’s wife, Melanie, is an elementary school teacher, and the couple has three children. J.D. is an avid sports fan, willing to travel long hours for a good football, basketball, baseball, or volleyball game. He loves to fish, camp, and spend time with his family.