Central Oregon Community College has actively resumed the search for the next president of the college. The search has been extended and the new target date for applications is Monday, November 3, 2014. Finalists will be interviewed in late January, and the Board anticipates the announcement of COCC’s permanent president taking place in February 2015, with the new president beginning his or her tenure next summer.
“We are pleased that Dr. Shirley Metcalf, dean of extended learning, is serving as interim president and will continue to do so for this academic year,” said COCC Board Chair Laura Craska Cooper.
The Presidential Search Advisory Committee will assist the Board of Directors by screening candidates, selecting semi-finalists, interviewing those semi-finalists and then recommending three to five finalists to the Board. The names of the 14 members of the committee are available on the COCC Presidential Search web page on the COCC home page.
“Our efforts will comprise an open, transparent and national search, seeking qualified candidates from all regions of the country,” said Cooper.
Later in November, the committee will review applications and determine which candidates will be invited to interview with the committee. The committee expects to interview semifinalist candidates in early December 2014. In mid-to-late January 2015, the final candidates will visit COCC to participate in public forums and Board interviews. The public forums will take place throughout the COCC District and will serve as an important opportunity for the entire COCC community and interested stakeholders to engage in the question-and-answer period with the finalists and provide valuable feedback, which will be sent to the board for use in the deliberation process.
“We will continue to keep the COCC community updated and informed throughout the search process with regular progress reports,” said Cooper.
The Board is continuing to work with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) throughout the presidential search process. ACCT has conducted more than 400 community college searches and brings a wealth of information to COCC’s process. ACCT’s mission is to strengthen community college governance through education, advocacy and service. Dr. Narcisa Polonio, executive vice president for research, education and board leadership services will coordinate the presidential search; and Julie Golder, J.D., board services coordinator, will continue to serve as COCC’s search consultant.
For information, contact Ron Paradis, director of College Relations, at 541-383-7599.
