Two finalists to become the third president of Oregon Coast Community College will go through a two-day interview process with the college board, staff and faculty, managers and college partners Monday and Tuesday.
A third finalist, Joel Keebler, dean of science at American River College in Sacramento, withdrew his candidacy Friday.
The remaining two finalists are:
- Brian Kelly, president of Clinton (Iowa) Community College, one of four in the Eastern Iowa Community College system; and
- Marshall Roache, dean of career and technical education and public safety at Chemekta Community College in Salem.
OCCC President Birgitte Ryslinge, 66, announced her retirement in January after 10 years leading the college. She had hoped to leave by September, but the presidential search took longer than expected and she has told the board she can stay on through the end of 2024 to help with the transition to a new leader.
The college board is holding a continuous executive (closed) session on Monday to interview the two candidates. Kelly and Roache will also spend an hour in interviews with employee groups, the college’s three vice presidents, mid-level managers and then invited “school partners” from the community. They will also meet with Ryslinge and be given a tour of the county.
The board has also scheduled an executive (closed) session for Wednesday to discuss the finalists and determine if it wants to negotiate a contract with one of them.
I hope there will be some reporting on the executive session since there is no venue for public engagement during the interview process.