Following an almost four-year search for a permanent president, the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees announced Wednesday night they have made a selection, though they did not announce the name of the person chosen.
“We are pleased to report that the board has reached a decision on a candidate for president of Nassau Community College,” board Chair Jorge Gardyn said in a statement at a special board meeting. “But the name will not be released until the process is finalized and approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees.”
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 for the post.
Gardyn said the board submitted the selection to State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, who, along with the SUNY Board of Trustees, must give final approval.
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 more than 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.
The Garden City institution is the largest community college in the state system, with more than 22,000 students enrolled.
According to Newsday, Glickman withdrew her name from the search, saying she was “unsure that in the current environment I would be able to make the difference I wanted to make.”
