If there’s no delay, the board can probably disclose the name of the new president before the end of this month, Regent Andrew Orsini, presidential search committee chairman, said.
Once the board is satisfied with the results of the investigation of the candidate’s criminal and financial background, it will make an offer and prepare the contract, he added.
However, he said, there is no guarantee that the final candidate will accept the contract.
If the investigation discloses “issues” involving the final candidate, the board may decide whether to consider the applications of the two other candidates, Orsini said.
The board, he added, may introduce a resolution to select a new president if the selection process fails again.
The board failed to make a final choice among the candidates presented by the first presidential search committee last year. This led to the creation of the second committee.
Orsini said several members of the current panel have already expressed their intention to end their work for the committee so they can again focus on their jobs.
During the interview phase, Orsini said the three final candidates never asked about the compensation and benefits that NMC will offer.
The NMC president, based on the current college policy, will be receiving an $80,000 annual salary and $800 monthly housing allowance.
During its special session on Wednesday, the board disclosed the names of the three final candidates: Drs. Jeff Armstrong, Christa Adams, and Sharon Hart.
The announcement was made after the board reviewed the reference and background reports of the three candidates submitted by the Association of Community Colleges Trustees which was hired by the regents to assist with certain parts of the presidential search process. NMC said the organization has been credited for assisting numerous other colleges and universities with their search for a president/CEO.
Board Chairman Juan T. Lizama said they will reveal the name of the selected candidate after the completion of the investigation on the financial and criminal background of the chosen applicant.
Orsini, in an interview, said although they were unanimous in selecting the final candidates, there was an “exchange of ideas” as regents expressed different opinions and preferences.
In a statement, Lizama said: “We are extremely cognizant of the Board’s important obligation to expeditiously hire a president and how this decision impacts the College’s compliance with certain accreditation standards and eligibility requirements. At the same time, we want to be absolutely sure that the decision we make and the process we follow to find a president are in the best interest of all students, employees, and other stakeholders.”
