Dr. Henry Shannon's Biography

Henry Shannon brings more than four decades of experience as a higher education leader to Chaffey College – a place he has enhanced and transformed into the nationally-recognized center of learning it is today.

Dr. Shannon came to Chaffey College in 2007, delivering mindful and strategic leadership that has generated a stronger sense of community, as well as clear goals and objectives that have helped students thrive.

Since 2012, graduating classes have experienced an upward trajectory thanks to his focus on retention and completion rates. But he didn’t get there alone. Campus stakeholders received encouragement and empowerment from Dr. Shannon to seek opportunities for increasing student support. Faculty and staff applied for and obtained millions of dollars in grant funding, implemented accelerated learning opportunities and introduced new student support programs to further help students turn their academic dreams into reality.

Dr. Shannon’s dedication to ensuring all students have access to a quality higher education shows in his service on and off campus. He shares his expertise as a board member with the Community College Research Center Advisory Board, the Alliance for Education of San Bernardino County, the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board, Growing Inland Achievement, California Community Colleges Region 9 CEOs and more. He holds numerous memberships with national organizations such as the American Association of Community Colleges and the American Council on Education.

Dr. Shannon received the "President/Superintendent/CEO of the Year" award from the African American California Community College Trustees and Administrators caucus in 2026. Growing Inland Achievement awarded Dr. Shannon for "Equity-Focused Excellence" during the Toward a Shared Vision Conference in October 2023. In April of that same year, Dr. Shannon received the PROmoter Award by the Community Colleges Public Relations Organization (CCPRO). The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools honored Dr. Shannon in 2022 with the "Distinguished Service Award," and the Inland Empire Economic Partnership named Dr. Shannon "Educator of the Year" in 2021 for his commitment to workforce education and partnering with the business community. The Association of Community College Trustees honored Dr. Shannon in 2018 with a regional and national Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Officer Award for his significant impact on two-year colleges.

Prior to joining Chaffey College, Dr. Shannon served as Chancellor of St. Louis Community College. During his years of service in St. Louis, he was a campus president and the chief student affairs officer. Additionally, Dr. Shannon was a faculty member and administrator at both Harris-Stowe State University and St. Louis University.

Dr. Shannon earned his bachelor’s degree at Harris-Stowe State University. He earned both his master’s and doctorate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and a management certificate from Harvard University.

He currently resides in the Chaffey College district with his wife, Gwendolyn. They have four adult children and 10 grandchildren.

Career Highlights & Honors

President/Superintendent/CEO of the Year – African American California Community College Trustees and Administrators, 2026

Equity Focused Excellence Award – Growing Inland Achievement, 2023

CCPRO PROmoter Award – Community College Public Relations Organization, 2023

Distinguished Service Award – San Bernardino County, April 2022

Distinguished Citizen Award, Boy Scouts of America – Old Baldy District, 2021

Educator of the Year Award, Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), 2020

Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Officer Award, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), 2018

Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Officer Award for the Pacific Region, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), 2018

Missouri Community College Hall of Fame Award, 2017

Trailblazer Award, Phi Beta Sigma – Alpha Alpha Epsilon Sigma Chapter, 2017

MOKAN Lifetime Achievement Award, 2007

Office of the Mayor, City of St. Louis, MO, Key to the City, 2007

St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Education Award, 2007

Missouri House of Representatives Resolution for Exceptional Service, 2007

Missouri State Senate, Resolution for Excellence in Education, 2007

Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center Education Award, 2006

Focus St. Louis “What’s Right With The Region” Award, 2005

American Student Association of Community Colleges, President of the Year Award, 2005

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Educator Award, 2002

AAWCC Carolyn Desjardins Presidential Award, 2002

Better Family Life Community Empowerment Award for Education, 1999

Phi Theta Kappa, Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, 1996

Governor’s Disability Awareness Inclusion Award, 1996

Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, Outstanding Alumni Award, 1995

Kellogg Fellowship for Harvard’s Institute for Management of Lifelong Education, 1992

Harris-Stowe State College Distinguished Alumni Award, 1992

Zeta Phi Beta/Phi Beta Sigma Education Award, 1984

Mr. Harris-Stowe, 1979 (Outstanding Staff Award)

Mr. Harris-Stowe, 1976 (Outstanding Staff Award)

Washington University Doctoral Fellowship, 1974 to 1976

Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1969-70