The board of trustees’ search for North Idaho College’s next president is officially under way.
After seeking community input, the board unanimously approved a profile detailing the qualities sought in a future president and agreed on the target date of March 1 for receiving applications.
“That’s when the serious recruitment begins, [when the presidential profile is completed] because the competitive candidates are waiting for this; they’re going to customize their letter to these needs, these characteristics,” said Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Search Consultant Julie Golder Alion.
The ACCT is involved with recruiting candidates from all over the country, as well as aiding the search committee with its mandate.
The Presidential Search Committee, which includes a mix of NIC instructors, community leaders, NIC trustees and ASNIC members, compiled the profile.
“We’re pleased with the work of the committee; we appreciate that the public came and gave input on what qualifications they’d like to see in a president,” trustee Christine Wood said.
Several ideal characteristics sought in a future president, according to the profile, include an engaging, approachable and accessible leader, a successful fundraiser, and someone familiar working in local and state political areas, a leader experienced in working with American Indian communities, professional technical education and intercollegiate athletic programs.
The profile also asks for a candidate who is “committed to a healthy and safe work environment, participatory governance, empowering empoyees, and one who practices genuine collaboration with faculty, administration, staff and students.”
Another characteristic desired in a candidate is a “diplomatic communicator who is firm on principle and genuinely enjoys engaging with all constituency groups.”
The next step for the search committee is to meet again in mid-March and begin reviewing the various applications before selecting semi-final candidates to interview.
The committee projects that the new president of NIC will be officially announced in mid-April.
Current NIC president Priscilla Bell will be retiring this June after 36 years working with community colleges.
“NIC has been very fortunate to have Dr. Priscilla Bell as its president; she has been superb in leading the college during a very challenging fiscal time,” said NIC board of trustees Chair Mic Armon.
Originally hired as an interim president in the beginning of 2007, Bell was officially selected as a permanent president in July of the same year after a formal search.
“While this is a difficult decision for me, NIC today is a much stronger college than it was when I arrived, and I know the college will continue to build on our many successes,” Bell said. “I am very excited about the future, for me personally and for NIC.”
