He said the final candidate, Dr. Jeff Armstrong, has withdrawn his application.
Armstrong was one of the final three candidates recommended by the NMC Presidential Search Committee to the board of regents. The other two have also withdrawn their applications.
“We are still highly confident that we will be able to find a capable candidate who will lead the college effectively,” Lizama said in an email to Variety.
He said the regents will meet within the next few days to plan their next step.
“Selecting and hiring the next president of the college remains our chief priority,” he added.
“Admittedly, conducting a national recruitment process has its challenges, and we have had some difficulty in negotiating with off-island applicants.
We will continue to look at all our options as we move forward, including further consultation with ACCT,” Lizama said, referring to the non-profit Association of Community College Trustees.
In a separate interview, a highly placed source at NMC said Armstrong probably considered the compensation offered by the college “unattractive.”
The NMC president will get $80,000 in annual salary and $800 monthly housing allowance.
The contract is valid for two years and can be terminated only with cause.
The source said the college would most likely face a “big challenge” if it fails to hire a new president by June when the Western Association of Schools and Colleges is expected to decide on NMC’s accreditation.
Armstrong’s withdrawal has added more pressure on the board of regents, the source added.
The board may end up appointing a new president from the original list of 24 candidates or hire a qualified local educator, the source said.
The failure of the NMC leadership to hire a new president will have a “great impact” on its accreditation.
NMC remains on “show cause” status.
The presidential search committee has already dissolved after its members expressed intention to concentrate on their jobs.
Without the committee, the source said, the board may ask the college’s human resources department to help screen other applicants for the presidency.
Lorraine Cabrera has been the acting president the regents fired Carmen Fernandez last year.
