A finalist for the vacant president position at Western Iowa Tech Community College said she’s prepared for decades to have a wide skillset to be a college president.
“My 30 years in education has always been about supporting students, “ said Michelle Allmendinger, who currently serves as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Southeastern Community College, in Burlington, Iowa.
In one of multiple sessions on Wednesday with college employees, students and others, Allmendinger said creating a great college culture will be imperative as president. That can be done, she said, by active listening with people, removing impediments and improving WITCC department processes.
“I believe deeply in collaboration,” she said.
Allmendinger said the U.S. is amid a period in which diversity and inclusion is seen as problematic, but she said “there have been little wins” where such initiatives can still support a diverse range of students to get a good education via university supports.
Addressing a question on lessons she’s learned from watching college administrators, she said, “We have got to be transparent…Hiding the bad thing is only going to make it worse.”
WITCC added college sports three years ago. Allmendinger said she is open to adding more sports, if they can help bolster enrollment and not be a financial strain.
Finalist Terry Gaalswyk will be interviewed on Thursday, with Terry Lindsay on Friday. The three finalists were pinpointed after a committee worked through 30 applicants.
The process of selecting a new college president began in December, after the retirement of Terry Murrell was announced as this academic year began.
The interview schedule includes times for various groups to meet the candidates, plus two open forums for anyone who wants to participate.
More information can be found at Presidential Search - Western Iowa Tech Community College.
