Raaj Kurapati, NMC’s administrative and chief financial officer for five years, has resigned to work at the University of Alaska.
“We’re looking at an outside candidate to serve on a short-term basis as we go through the official search process which is underway now,” she told Variety.
Fernandez met with the accrediting commission in the U.S. early this month to assure them that NMC will find a qualified individual to the position.
The president said Kurapati will still assist the college in the completion of its FY 2007 audit and some budget issues.
“We’re very nearing selecting an interim CFO,” she said.
Fernandez said because the CFO is a critical position, the college is anticipating that final selection will take a couple of months.
“This is a very critical position and we cannot afford to regress in our progress in our accreditation work,” she said. “We have a great progress in Raaj’s leadership in terms of financial area and it is always a concern for the commission to ensure that we continue that same quality of service here at the college.”
Fernandez said they will expand the search to get the best applicant.
Named acting CFO is Daisy Manglona-Propst.
As chief financial and administrative officer of NMC, Kurapati received $60,000 a year.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has given NMC until Jan. 2009 to correct all the deficiencies cited by the accrediting team regarding the college’s programs and operations.
The college will submit its final report to WASC on Oct. 15.
