Nassau Community College officials said they are close to selecting a new president to lead the institution, with the presidential search committee trimming the shortlist down to four candidates.
While the college has been without a permanent president for the last three years, NCC Board of Trustees Chaiman Jorge Gardyn said people should not be critical of the presidential selection process.
“I am sick and tired of everyone commenting that we haven’t had a president here for three years. Yes we have not a de facto president but we have had acting presidents and we have had interim presidents that have led this college for the past three years,” Gardyn said at the Jan. 12 board meeting. “This college has never been devoid of leadership. It has been devoid of a title. And maybe some other things that go along with it. But we have not been devoid of leadership.”
On Jan. 19, Gena Glickman, president of Manchester Community College in Connecticutt; Tyjuan A. Lee, vice president of student services at Prince George’s Community College in Maryland; Stephen Schoonmaker, former president of College of the Ouachitas in Arkansas; and Kenneth Saunders, who now serves as executive vice president at NCC, were announced on the school’s website as the four finalists.
The four candidates are scheduled to visit the campus and participate in a public interview open to all faculty members and students.
Schoonmaker is scheduled to appear on Feb. 2, Saunders on Feb. 4, Glickman on Feb. 8 and Lee on Feb. 22.
Gardyn said the search has been properly monitored both by SUNY officials and fellow board members who serve on the presidential search committee.
“The process for the presidential search has been proceeding under the guidance of SUNY and under the leadership of Trustee [Arnold] Drucker and Trustee [Wanda] Jackson,” he said.
NCC has been seeking a permanent president since Donald Astrab left the position in July 2012.
Former Great Neck Superintendent of Schools Thomas Dolan has served as interim president since September.
Saunders, who was an administrator at NCC for over 13 years, was acting president prior to Dolan’s appointment until SUNY officials recommended a 60-day limit in June to his tenure as acting president.
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher’s approval is required before the college could install a permanent president.
Dolan declined to comment on the presidential search.
