Help define NIC's next president

| January 9, 2012 12:27 PM

The search for North Idaho College's next president is on, and community members are invited to participate.

Two public forums will be hosted on campus Wednesday to gather input that will be used in the search. The forums will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Edminster Student Union Building Lake Coeur d'Alene Room.

NIC is seeking the public input for the development of a "presidential profile" detailing the qualities and characteristics sought in a new college leader. The presidential profile will be used throughout the presidential search process to replace NIC President Priscilla Bell, who plans to retire in June.

They hope to hear from people on campus and in the outlying communities, said Trustee Ken Howard.

For example, Howard said he invites people to share whether they think it is necessary for a community college president to have an advanced degree, like a Ph.D.

Howard said he hopes community members will also come share their questions and concerns. Those questions, he said, could be used by the search committee during the interview process.

The nationwide search is being guided by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and led by a 22-member search committee composed of NIC faculty and staff and community members.

Trustees decided in October to hire ACCT for $30,000 after considering several options for facilitating the search for a new president, Howard said. They selected ACCT because the firm has a proven track record in completing community college presidential searches. An internal search was decided against, Howard said, because it could cause difficulties for applicants who are already on campus.

The deadline for applications is March 1.

Howard said the search committee expects to have the applications whittled down to three or four finalists by the end of March, and have a selection made by the end of April.

Those unable to attend Wednesday's forums may also submit input to ACCT Search Consultant Julie Golder Alion at [email protected] or (202) 775-4466.