Dr. James Perey is an educator with over 27 years of teaching and leadership experience in K-12 and postsecondary education. He believes community colleges play a key and crucial role in our communities and make a positive difference in students’ lives. He serves as the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cochise College in southeastern Arizona. As the chief academic officer and a member of the president’s cabinet, he is responsible for analyzing, evaluating, and developing strategic priorities and goals for the College, focusing on student success to fulfill the College’s mission and vision. He provides vision, leadership, and innovation for credit and non-credit programs, including academics, career and technical education, and workforce development. Dr. Perey has also held the positions of Executive Dean, Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Associate Dean for Career and Technical Education, and faculty.

Dr. Perey believes in service and is a board member for the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce, the county representative for the Southern Arizona Sports Tourism and Film Authority board, and participates on several other state and local boards. He is a graduate of the project CENTRL leadership program and the Harvard Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

Dr. Perey is an Arizona native and grew up in a small rural community. After proudly serving in the United States Army, he resumed his educational pursuits earning a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Arizona, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Leadership from Grand Canyon University.