Charles Chrestman

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Don Hunter

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LUMBERTON — After reviewing proposals from consultants who assist colleges in finding new presidents, the Robeson Community College board of trustees decided to enlist Don Hunter, president and CEO of the N.C. Community College

Trustees Association, to help find Charles Chrestman’s replacement.

Chrestman, the college’s president for almost a decade, announced early last month that he plans to retire on Dec. 31. He said he made his retirement announcement early so that college officials can move ahead with finding his successor.

Hunter, who is from the Cary area, has served as a consultant for about 40 college presidents in North Carolina, Chrestman said this morning. He also has helped in college president searches in other states.

Chrestman said that on Thursday his executive assistant, Rose Avant, sent to each member of the college’s board of trustees a survey prepared by Hunter asking trustees what character traits they want in their next president. Trustees are asked to return their completed surveys to Hunter by Aug. 31, Chrestman said.

Chrestman said a first meeting between Hunter, who is also president of National Search and Education Consulting, and the RCC board will be held early next month, although an exact date has not been set.

George Regan, chairman of the RCC board of trustees, could not be reached for comment this morning, but said early last month that he hopes a replacement for Chrestman can be found before the president’s retirement becomes effective at the end of the year.

“It’s going to be hard, but we hope to have someone to take his place,” he said. “I hope we don’t have to have an interim president.”

Regan, who was chairman of the RCC board of trustees when Chrestman was hired in 2003, has said that the college has moved forward dramatically under Chrestman ’s leadership.

“I hate to see him go. He has moved this school up to a new level,” Regan said. “He’s a community leader whose well recognized in the community for what he has done both for the community and RCC.”

Staff writer Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-272-6117 bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.