Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) formally announces the retirement of its president, Dr. David Hellmich. He will retire from his position in May of 2026 after serving the College for eleven years.
Reflecting on his time at SVCC, Dr. Hellmich shared, “For 60 years, the faculty, staff, and trustees of Sauk Valley Community College have been instrumental in improving the lives of countless people in the Sauk Valley. I am proud of what we and community leaders have accomplished together over the past ten years and what we will accomplish together over the next several months. After that time, however, it will be time for me to retire so Linda [my wife] and I can spend more time with our family, in particular our grandchildren.”
He began his tenure in 2015, becoming the sixth president to serve SVCC. During his presidency, he served as a visionary, providing clear strategic direction for the College’s programming and services.
Dr. Hellmich’s leadership and unwavering dedication to the College have fostered an environment that upholds inclusivity, diversity, and support for its staff, faculty, and students said the college in a press release.
This quality has not gone unnoticed, as he was awarded the Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association in 2025.
To honor Dr. Hellmich’s years of dedicated service and visionary leadership, Sauk Valley Community College is proud to introduce the Hellmich Leadership Legacy Campaign. This charitable initiative will support the Impact Program, developed under Dr. Hellmich’s leadership, to continue fostering a lasting impact on our community and expanding access to higher education.
