Office of the President

Leading with Purpose. Serving Students First.

Meet President Derrick Worrels

Dr. Derrick Worrels serves as the President of Ranger College, bringing more than 29 years of higher education leadership experience. His work is centered on expanding educational access, strengthening student support, driving regional workforce success, and building a genuine culture of care across the college community.

Before stepping into the presidency, Dr. Worrels served Ranger College as Senior Vice President and Vice President for Student Services, championing enrollment growth and student success initiatives. His earlier roles at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida, included Athletic Director, Enrollment Development Coordinator, Adjunct Professor, Assistant Dean, and Head Men’s Basketball Coach.

While at Hillsborough, Dr. Worrels founded Project HYPE (Helping Young People Excel) — a mentorship program supporting young minority males in middle and high school through academic guidance, leadership development, and positive community engagement. His highly successful coaching career at both community college and NCAA Division I levels led to his induction into the Florida Community College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Dr. Worrels’ passion for student success is rooted in his own story. Raised in public housing in Tampa, he experienced firsthand the challenges many first-generation students overcome while striving for a better future. His personal commitment has transformed into a professional mission: to remove barriers before students encounter them — not after.

Dr. Worrels holds:

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Asheville
Master of Science in Psychology, National Louis University
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Kansas State University
Additional graduate coursework in Counseling, Liberty University