HIRING A PRESIDENT DURING A CHALLENGING PERIOD

By Phyllis L. Metcalfe

College of Marin must seek a new president who can meet the unique needs of our college and community. This individual will be expected to address several issues including maintaining quality programs and services while improving fiscal accountabllity and resources within a changing and limited economy.

Now College of Marin is in a most challenging period.

On one hand the college must manage severely limited resources as a result of the volatile situation as respects the state's budget crises. On the other hand, our educational programs and services must adapt quickly to the local economy and workforce while responding to the diverse learning needs of students.

The person selected to be the new president at College of Marin will be expected to address the many challenges and opportunities we face in the next five to ten years. The needed professional qualifications I would emphasize are encompased in these specific qualities:

• Record of accomplishment and experience as an educational leader in community college education.

• Effective and persuasive spokesperson who is able to represent the college and be an advocate for our students, our programs and our future, both internally and externally.

• Commitment to long-range planning, with a track record of visionary leadership.

• Commitment to empowering and leading others through team building, concensus building and open communication.

• Approaches problem-solving with enthusiasm and is a fair and consistant decision-maker.

• Has experience with collective bargaining and shared governance within an educational setting.

• Is skilled in budget development, financial management and resource development.

• Is committed to faculty, staff and student diversity and who is student-focussed.

• Is commited to community involvement, and will provide leadership in working with our business and civic communities in addition to working with the faculty, staff, students and the board of trustees.

• Is open and responsive with a sense of humor, and is able to inspire trust and loyalty in others.

• Understands that at least 50% of communication is listening to others, and shows a willingness to share both success and failure.