July 6, 2026
East Central Community College has announced that Dr. Melissa Haab will transition into the role of Executive Vice President, effective July 1, 2026.
In her new position as Executive Vice President, Haab will provide leadership in support of academic workforce, career and technical education, faculty development, institutional planning, and the continued advancement of student success while supporting the college’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality education and training opportunities to students across its five-county district and beyond.
“Dr. Haab brings a strong understanding of higher education leadership, student success, enrollment management, and academic operations to East Central,” said ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory. “Her experience, perspective, and commitment to the mission of community colleges will be valuable as she steps into this important role and works alongside our faculty and leadership team.”
Haab brings more than three decades of experience in higher education, with leadership roles spanning enrollment management, student affairs, academic affairs, instructional design, recruitment, admissions, student success, and institutional effectiveness. Before joining East Central, she served in multiple senior leadership positions at the University of West Alabama, including Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success and Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
During her tenure at the University of West Alabama, Haab helped lead efforts that resulted in a 28 percent overall increase in total enrollment, while also helping increase on-campus housing capacity to 93 percent. Her responsibilities included supervising multiple student affairs and enrollment-related departments, chairing or serving on numerous institutional committees, working with faculty on student success initiatives and teaching graduate-level courses as needed.
Prior to her time at UWA, Haab served at Itawamba Community College as Vice President of Enrollment Services and Dean of Enrollment Services. In those roles, she helped establish an enrollment management model, implemented an Enrollment Management Committee, improved campus tour and orientation processes, and worked closely with various departments across the college’s multiple campuses.
Her experience also includes service as Dean of Enrollment Management at Coastal Alabama Community College, Dean of Students at Alabama Southern Community College, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Instructional Design at Alabama Southern Community College, and Director of Admissions at both the University of South Alabama and Emporia State University.
Haab earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Design and Development from the University of South Alabama. She also holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Mississippi State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with an emphasis in public relations, from Mississippi State University.
“I am honored to continue serving East Central Community College in this new role,” Haab said. “I look forward to working closely with our faculty, staff, and leadership team to support teaching and learning, strengthen student success, and continue the important work being done across the college.”
Her background in both academic and student-facing areas provides a broad perspective for the Executive Vice President role, which will be central to supporting faculty and strengthening the academic mission of East Central Community College.
East Central Community College serves Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, and Winston counties and offers university transfer, career and technical education, workforce training, adult education, and student support programs designed to meet the needs of students, communities, and employers throughout the region.
