STLCC Transformed is a $450 million project that seeks to modernize the college’s facilities and programming, improve the campus experience, and prepare students to enter Missouri’s workforce. Last year, the college took another step toward the finish line, opening its $84 million Health Sciences and Technology Center in Wildwood. “[STLCC Transformed] will allow the college to expand high-need workforce programs in health care, IT, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and transportation,” Pittman says, noting that it’s a $500 million project to “align students with pathways to careers in area businesses.”
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? Our ability to expand our capacity to serve area residents, both youth and adults, to prepare them for high wage careers and/or to transfer their credits to additional higher education opportunities.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? To expand the State’s “Core 42” legislation, or the guarantee for our students to transfer 42 credit hours to any public university in Missouri, to a “Core 60” legislation that will provide students with the opportunity to transfer all 60 hours of an associate degree. This would result in great savings for students (given our affordable tuition) and assist them in completing a bachelor’s degree must faster.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? Overcoming the community college “stigma” in the St. Louis Region. STLCC offers students very affordable pathways to high wage careers in several business sectors. We have advanced from the old “junior college” model to an organization that prepares individuals for great jobs right here in St. Louis!
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? The college’s board of trustees has very experienced leaders who provide terrific ideas and assists me in setting strategic direction for the College. I am fortunate to have access to several experienced leaders in the St. Louis region.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? I have no formal mentor, but have great relationships with several community CEO’s who share ideas regarding how the College can advance their business or the Region.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? The need for the college to focus on and expand programming that will address workforce shortages in high need sectors.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? The CEOs or area market leaders of two large financial services organizations to assist the college in building a curriculum that will address the financial services industry’s workforce needs.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis and why? Rick Stevens at Christian Hospital. He is making great transformational change at his organization.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? Better coordination and collaboration between area workforce development providers. There are many similar organizations who have the best of intentions, but they are replicating a lot of work and use of resources that could be better coordinated to expand reach and improve outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? In the little town of Linton, Indiana.
What was your childhood aspiration? To be a professional baseball player for the Cards.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? I worked at a grocery store and learned the value of customer service and the need for continuous improvement.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? B.S, Indiana University; M.S., Indiana State University;Ph.D., Indiana State University.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? I would be at a construction management firm because I love building things.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? Bristol Seafood Grill’s crab cakes and steak
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? Playing a round of golf at Buffalo Ridge
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia
What’s your hobby/passion? Golf and fishing
What is your most prized possession? Faith and family
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I used to raise cattle.
What is your go-to karaoke song? “Rockin’ Down the Highway” by the Doobie Brothers
