Southwest Colorado Community College's executive dean, Norm Jones, has announced his resignation effective July 31.

"I have some professional consulting opportunities," Jones told staff members at the SCCC-East site in Durango, adding that his decisionwas difficult.

"I am proud to leave an outstanding team in place that is more than able to take this college forward and provide excellent education to the five counties we serve," Jones said.

Jones brought 40 years of extensive experience in recruitment, admissions and marketing for private colleges when he was hired in January 2013 to head SCCC, a division of Pueblo Community College. During his tenure, Jones said he has been proud of the college's community collaborations.

"This is a very connected community," he said. "I underestimated the impact that this community and college would have on my life in terms of the wonderful educational opportunities SCCC offers."

Beginning July 1, Deborah "Sunny" Schmitt, Pueblo Community College's chief academic officer, will serve as the SCCC's interim head to facilitate the transition. PCC President Patty Erjavec, said a nationwide search would begin immediately with hopes of having Jones' successor in place by early fall.

"It is with sincere regret that I have accepted Norm's resignation. I remain appreciative of his contributions to SCCC and wish him all the best as he looks forward to spending more time with family," Erjavec said.

SCCC, which has campuses outside of Mancos and in Durango, is now enrolling for the 2015 fall semester that will begin Aug. 24. New and continuing students are urged to secure the classes they want before the priority registration deadline Aug. 7. Visit www.EnrollSouthwest.org and click on the "Apply Today" tab at the bottom of the page or call 970-564-6200 or 970-247-2929 or stop by in Durango at 701 Camino del Rio or 33057 U.S. Highway 160 between Mancos and Cortez.