With 28 years of higher education experience, Dr. Yolanda Farmer can be described as a student advocate due to her passion for developing and executing initiatives to support student success. Dr. Farmer is the Executive Vice President (EVP) at Joliet Junior College (JJC), the college’s first appointed EVP. She serves as the strategic institutional partner for the college president and provides leadership for the Academic Affairs, Finance & Administrative Services, Information Technology, and Student Development divisions.

Before the EVP promotion, Dr. Farmer served as the Vice President for Student Development for nine years, championing many initiatives to advance accessible and diverse student services and resources. Dr. Farmer has held many respected positions in the State of Illinois, such as the dean of Student Services at Moraine Valley Community College, director of Minority Student Affairs at JJC, and assistant dean of students at DePaul University.

Dr. Farmer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from DePaul University.

A graduate of the League for Innovation in the Community College Executive Leadership Institute, Dr. Farmer actively contributes to national and state-level educational leadership. Dr. Farmer served as the past president of the Illinois Community College Chief Student Services Officers. She is a Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce and Romeoville Rotary member. She sits on the African American Business Association of Will County board and is a member of the Zonta Club of Joliet Area.

Dr. Farmer has been a proud Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member for 32 years, actively involved with the Glen Ellyn Area Alumnae Chapter. She and her husband, Danny B. Farmer, reside in Lemont, IL, with their two dogs.