June 10, 2025
East Central Community College is pleased to announce that Tyler Yates has been named the institution’s next Vice President for Business Operations. Yates will assume the role on July 1, 2025, following the retirement of longtime vice president Mickey Vance, who has served the college for over three decades.
An alumnus of East Central, Yates brings a strong background in accounting, operations, and campus leadership to his new role. He has served as EC’s Business Office Accountant since 2019, where he has played a critical role in managing student accounts, coordinating audits, preparing board financial statements, and maintaining financial systems across campus. His experience also includes oversight of major digital transitions in campus operations, including the implementation of Transact software solutions and enhanced digital payment systems that benefit employees, students, and the community.
“Tyler Yates has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to the mission of East Central Community College,” said ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory. “He brings a strong understanding of both the technical and relational sides of business operations, and we are confident he will continue building on the solid foundation laid by Mr. Vance.”
Yates’ most recent business office upgrades at the college include the successful campus-wide launch of Transact systems, such as point-of-sale upgrades, mobile credentials, and digital ID badges. He has also led efforts to digitize financial aid processes, travel forms, and student statements, ensuring increased efficiency and accessibility.
Yates holds a Master of Business Administration from Delta State University and a Bachelor of Accounting from Mississippi State University. He is a 2012 Hall of Fame inductee at East Central, where he was a member of the Wall O’ Sound marching band and many other clubs and organizations. He was a member of the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy Class of 2022 and currently serves as president of the ECCC Alumni Board.
“East Central has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember in one form or another, and it is an incredible honor to serve my alma mater,” said Yates. “I look forward to working alongside our outstanding faculty and staff to support our students – and to help advance the mission of East Central for years to come.”
