State Fair Community College has announced that president Dr Brent Bates will retire after the fall 2026 semester, wrapping up a 40-year career in higher education.

Bates has been at SFCC since 2002, first serving as chief academic officer and vice president of educational services. He succeeded Dr Joanne Anderson as president in July 2022. During his time in Sedalia, Bates led the expansion in SFCC’s distance learning efforts, launching new campus locations in Boonville, Clinton, and the Lake of the Ozarks. Since Bates became president, SFCC has opened a campus site at Lincoln University in Jefferson City and added an office in Benton County. Last year, SFCC opened its new Ellebracht Agriculture and Mechanics building, the culmination of a $60 million expansion of facilities and programming to support workforce development.

Bates announced his retirement Tuesday, Jan. 13, which will take effect Dec. 31, 2026.  In a statement, Bates says it has been, “such an honor working with extremely talented faculty and staff, dedicated SFCC Board of Trustees members and committed community leaders throughout our service region.” The board will partner with an external organization to conduct a nationwide search for SFCC’s next president.