Robbin Hoopes is new president of Cincinnati State

The Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Board of Trustees has named Robbin S. Hoopes as the College’s next president.

The selection follows an extensive national search that included more than 80 candidates and three finalists. Hoopes, who has served as Cincinnati State’s provost and chief academic officer for the past 10 years, was the only internal finalist.

“Selecting the next president is one of the most important responsibilities a Board of Trustees undertakes,” said Justin Howe, Board member and chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “I’m incredibly grateful to our search committee, our campus community, and our search partners for their thoughtful engagement throughout this process. Together, we remained focused on finding the leader who will best serve Cincinnati State, its students, its employees, and the broader community for years to come.”

Hoopes succeeds Dr. Monica Posey, who will retire August 31, 2026, after serving as President for the past decade, during which the College experienced strong enrollment growth and doubled its economic impact on the region.

“We’re in a strong place at Cincinnati State,” said Jane Garvey, chair of the College’s Board of Trustees. “We want to build on that momentum, and Robbin has the ability to think ambitiously about the future while also bringing faculty, staff, and community partners together around a shared vision.”

Speaking at the July 28, 2026, meeting of the Board of Trustees, Hoopes said, “It’s really a moment of great privilege, but also obligation and humility.” He said the College can build on past successes to “take it to the next level in service of our mission,” while gaining added recognition as “a gateway to opportunity” and as “the region’s best value.”

During Hoopes’ tenure as provost, he led efforts to develop the College’s first bachelor’s degree programs, expand high-demand programs in areas including health care and aviation maintenance, increase transfer opportunities with area universities, secure major federal and state grants, and strengthen the College’s accreditation standing.

“I am delighted that Robbin has been selected to serve as the next president of Cincinnati State,” Pres. Posey said.

“He has served as provost of the College, working beside me for my entire 10 years as president. Cincinnati State’s growth and student success can be attributed partly to our perfect alignment—we share a heart for the mission of the College, an appreciation for campus-wide collaboration, and a sense of humility. I am confident that he is the best person to lead the College to the next level, and I am committed to supporting this transition and the future of Cincinnati State.”

Hoopes was raised on a dairy farm in eastern Ohio. After completing a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Akron in 1984, he earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Though he began his professional career as a litigator, he has since devoted his work to serving the community. After completing a master’s degree in linguistics at Gallaudet University and a doctoral fellowship in sociolinguistics at Georgetown University, he became a nationally certified interpreter for the deaf, a community college professor, and, ultimately, a community college leader.

“There is no better way to serve our community than by providing great technical education that transforms students’ lives while meeting the workforce needs of our regional employers,” Hoopes said.