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 Good Endings Are a Result of Good Beginnings
by Tom Campbell
December 20, 2007
Our state’s community college system has named a new president to replace Martin Lancaster upon his retirement. In so doing, the state board set an excellent example for executive searches, a model other public agencies would do well to follow.
After selecting a highly capable chair, the search committee hired a consultant and developed a clearly defined list of characteristics, including educational background, personal qualities and experience so as to paint a portrait of the ideal candidate. The search process recruited both out-of-state as well as in-state candidates, sending a clear signal they didn’t have to go out-of-state to find a qualified leader. When the committee narrowed the list to six, then three, there were two from inside the state community college system, a great morale builder and vote of confidence to current administrators. The announcement of the names of the three finalists was recognition that, while confidentiality was initially important, there was a corresponding responsibility to keep the public informed.
Any of the three finalists would have been an excellent choice. Final interviews before the full board resulted in a unanimous decision. There were disruptions and attempts to politicize the process, as there often are in important executive searches, but they were quickly and deftly handled. The conduct of this selection was so well managed that it instilled confidence, both in the process and the ultimate selection of Dr. Scott Ralls to be the new president.
Ralls has big shoes to fill and a significant challenge ahead. Our 58 community colleges don’t get the credit they deserve, either in the legislature or throughout the state. Their faculty are underpaid and the colleges are under funded, yet they daily help our citizens improve their status in life, whether in providing the first two years of college, job training, or in a myriad of other ways.
Why don’t community colleges get better respect and funding? Some speculate it is because they don’t have ACC football and basketball tickets to lavish on legislators and high-dollar donors. More likely it is because they do not have the large and often wealthy alumni base to tap for financial and other support. Their graduates are laying brick, wiring buildings, fixing computers, or their ultimate degree came from one of the four-year institutions.
Community colleges are an important element in achieving educational excellence in our state. They train students who neither qualify nor desire college for high-paying vocational or technical jobs. With many of our public universities short of housing or classroom space they are a steady first rung in the higher education ladder. And their value in providing retraining for our current workforce is immeasurable. Their role is important and must be vigorously supported and enhanced for these schools to fill the needs of our state.
To meet these challenges, instructor pay needs to be increased to attract and retain the best. Technology must be greatly improved so that students learn on the latest and best available. Facilities must be maintained and expanded to match the growth in our state’s population.
It is often said that good endings are a result of good beginnings. If true, we commend our community colleges for the excellent manner in which they went about the process of finding a new president and cannot help but believe that this search process will result in the successful leadership by Dr. Ralls. Our state needs and deserves the best. |
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