Dec 29, 2024
SPRUCE PINE — The Mayland Community College Board of Trustees has released its first progress report elaborating on its search to begin identifying the next President of the college, according to a release from Dr. Charles Baker, chairman of the Board of Trustees Search Committee.
The Board is committed to conducting a fair and transparent national search that will attract a strong pool of candidates from throughout North Carolina and the nation. The Board has selected the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) to assist with the Presidential search process. ACCT’s assistance will include providing support with the development of the Presidential Profile, recruiting highly competitive candidates, and working extensively with the Board, according to Baker.
ACCT has conducted more than 750 community college searches and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our process. ACCT’s mission is to strengthen community college governance through education and advocacy. Kennon Briggs will serve as the ACCT Search Consultant and will assist the Board Search Committee and entire college community throughout this process, according to the college.
Additionally, MCC announced that ACCT has developed a brief electronic survey that those involved with the college are encouraged to complete. Anonymous responses to the survey will also be used to inform the development of the Presidential Profile, and is available by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZFBRPC7. Survey feedback is requested by no later than 4 p.m. ET on January 10.
According to the release, the Board Presidential Search Committee will review the confidential applications, interview semifinalist candidates, and identify the final candidates for consideration. The Board Presidential Search Committee is comprised of all the members of the Board of Trustees. The Board will then interview the final candidates and all finalists will participate in open forums at Mayland Community College. Open forums are anticipated to take place mid- to late April 2025, and dates, times and location will be provided once they are confirmed. All employees, students, and community members will be invited to attend the open forums. Feedback forms will be provided to all attendees, and the completed forms will be collected at the end of each forum and provided to the Board for review as part of its deliberation process.
“Our recruitment efforts will involve an open and thorough national search seeking qualified candidates from Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, and all regions of the state and country,” Baker stated in the release.
ACCT specializes in one-to-one targeted recruitment of community college leaders. Additionally, to assist with this process, advertisements will be placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other publications and websites.
The MCC website will include information on all aspects of the search, both for the College community and candidates. The Presidential Search webpage is currently being developed, and will appear within the next two weeks. It will include key information, such as the Search Timeline, the Presidential Profile, regular progress reports, information on how to apply, etc.
The Board and ACCT will continue to keep MCC and the community updated on this important process. For questions or suggestions, contact Briggs, ACCT Search Consultant, at kennondb@gmail.com.
The next Presidential Search Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2025.
MCC Releases First Progress Report in Search for New President (averyjournal.com)