Now retired, Mark James was the chancellor of Metropolitan Community College from 2010 to 2017. In that role, he oversaw all college operations, including budget management, maintenance of the facilities, and human resources. Under the leadership of Mark James, Metropolitan Community College was twice named a finalist for the Bellwether Award in recognition of the college's work on the Missouri Innovation Campus.
The Bellwether College Consortium supports the incorporation of innovative and successful college programs at higher education institutions throughout the United States. It also facilitates the collaboration of its members for joint ventures. The consortium presents Bellwether Awards annually to recognize exemplary programs in the nation’s leading community colleges.
Award finalists and winners are selected based on how well a particular program fulfills the areas of effective teaching, efficiency in planning, governance and finance, and producing a dynamic workforce that contributes to economic development.
