Update, March 30, 2011: Dr. Donald Doucette has accepted the position of chancellor for the Eastern Iowa Community College District. ACC will proceed with the planned forum schedule for the remaining finalists, Dr. Katherine Persson and Dr. Richard Rhodes. Please see updated information here.
The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees selected three finalists Monday night in the search to replace retiring President/CEO Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow.
In alphabetical order, the finalists are:
- Dr. Donald Doucette – Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis, Indiana), Senior Vice President and Provost
- Dr. Katherine Persson – Lone Star College System (The Woodlands, Texas), LSC-Kingwood President
- Dr. Richard Rhodes – El Paso Community College (El Paso, Texas), President
The finalists will visit ACC April 4-6 to take part in forums with faculty, staff, students, and the public.
Learn more about the finalists here:
“Each of these finalists would enhance ACC’s commitment to meeting the region’s diverse educational and training needs,” says Dr. Barbara Mink, ACC board chair. “The search has integrated college and community input over the course of many months, and we are confident this process will result in a leader who will further our mission and continue the vision laid out in the Master Plan.”
The Master Plan is a comprehensive strategy for accomplishing the college’s core goals: meeting enrollment targets, expanding instructional capacity, enhancing student success, and expanding fiscal capacity. The Student Success Initiative, a key element of the Master Plan, is a college-wide commitment to enhance learning and success for all students, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, or socio-economic status.
“By reaching traditionally underserved students and expanding in areas that need us most, we are making strides in closing educational gaps in Central Texas,” says Dr. Mink. “These finalists all recognize the opportunities and challenges ACC currently faces.”
The Board of Trustees is expected to announce the new president in May, and an official start date will be determined following the selection. Dr. Kinslow will remain in his role until the new president begins.
ACC launched a nationwide search for a new chief executive last summer, when Dr. Kinslow announced his plans to retire in 2011 after 34 years of service to the college, including six years as president.
The search has been a collaborative process, conducted with a 25-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee (composed of trustees, college faculty and staff, students, community and business leaders, and representatives from public and higher education). The committee recently held interviews with several candidates.
ACC’s website includes a complete overview of the search process and timeline. Visit austincc.edu/pres/search.
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By Leticia March 9, 2011 - 12:09 pm
Although, I am sure that all the above individuals are more than qualified, it saddens me to see that no ethnic diversity was given in this selection. This is just another example of the barriers that minorities like me have to encumber through the years to come after graduation. Was there not “one†minority to be selected as a finalist of you possible candidates?
By Gerri March 9, 2011 - 4:31 pm
I concur with Leticia.
By Judge Mental March 11, 2011 - 9:51 am
Hmm…Had the chance to “Google” them….looks like they will be around for three to five yrs to build up there retirement and pensions. Then ACC will be back at it…searching for another president….
By fred March 11, 2011 - 3:40 pm
Leticia:
It is unproductive to pull the race card. I am sure that if a qualified applicant of another race, had actually wanted the job, they would have been considered. There is no lack of diversity at ACC in either the faculty or student population.
By @ Leticia March 15, 2011 - 9:44 pm
How do you know 1 or more of them are not Hispanic? You know Hispanics can have American surnames….think about it.
thx
By Greg April 4, 2011 - 8:46 am
Hi
I like the idea, well done!