In one of the first public steps for Western Iowa Tech Community College to pinpoint the next president of the college, some forums were held Tuesday for school employees and others.
Led by a consultant, college employees brainstormed some key attributes and qualifications the next president should have. Some people noted the president should have expertise in working with a student body that is quite diverse and in fundraising and working with legislators.
The college Board of Directors are using the Association of Community College Trustees firm to assist with the Presidential search process. ACCT official Sandy Caldwell said WITCC is a very desirable position for president aspirants, given a modern campus and mixture of students drawn from both urban and rural areas.
Caldwell said this is a period when many college presidents from the Baby Boomer and Gen X generations are retiring. She said the forums on Tuesday were helpful in the president selection system.
Officials are working to find the successor for President Terry Murrell, who is retiring later this school year, after 14 years as president.
The WITCC search for a new leader begins on Friday, January 30, when people can first submit applications.
A timeline shows applications will be accepted into March, then the search committee will seek to pinpoint finalists.
Finalists could come to campus by early April for public forums.The college board aims to pick the next president by the end of that month, for the post that begins July 1.
The WITCC Board is targeting “an equitable, inclusive, and transparent national search that will attract a strong and diverse pool of candidates from throughout Iowa, the region, and the nation.”
