LUMBERTON — The trustees at Robeson Community College expect to have their next president named by February.
The board on Tuesday held their first face-to-face meeting with Donny Hunter, the president and CEO of the N.C. Community College Trustees Association who is serving as a consultant for the presidential search. The search was launched when Charles Chrestman announced he would retire effective Dec. 31, one day before his 10-year anniversary at the college.
“Everything is going very well,” said Hunter, who is president of National Search and Education Consulting, a private company that conducts searches for college presidents. “As a committee they understand the importance of the decision they will be making.”
During the meeting, Hunter presented the trustees a draft copy of a calendar to follow as they proceed with the presidential search. It lists such dates as when advertisements should be placed, when applications should be received, how and when interviews should be held, and by what date a new president should be hired.
“It is going to take a little longer than we hoped, ” George Regan, president of the trustees, said of the February announcement date. “But after looking at the proposed timetable, we determined it was more reasonable.”
Originally, the board had hoped to have Chrestman’s replacement on board by the first of the new year.
Regan said Wednesday that the board’s meeting with Hunter was productive. He referred to Hunter as “highly competent” in the presidential search business, noting that he has performed searches for college presidents in North Carolina and other states.
Regan said Tuesday’s meeting was basically a work session for the trustees to learn the process.
“Basically, the process was explained to us,” Regan said. “We learned what to expect and when to expect it … . I’m confident we are moving in the right direction.”
According to the calendar, publication of the the first advertisement for the president’s position will be placed next week. Applicantss will be reduced to 10 to 12 semifinalists by Nov. 1, with five to six finalists being selected at a meeting of the trustees on Nov. 28.
Finalists will be interviewed by Jan. 10. The trustees will then submit a name and two alternates to Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System, who will then put that name before the state Board of Community Colleges for final approval.
Reach staff writer Bob Shiles at 910-272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.
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