One student will help choose Central Oregon Community College’s next president this fall. COCC’s Board of Directors is looking for someone to represent the student constituency in a screening committee, according to Alicia Moore, Dean of Students at COCC.

“We want students who are engaged at the campus and are familiar with the issues facing students,” Moore said.

Working with other members who represent various constituencies of COCC, the student will help screen the pool of applicants for president and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will make the ultimate decision on who is hired, according to Moore.

The student will be selected in October to work on a volunteer basis throughout fall and winter term. The goal is to have the new president chosen and ready to go by the end of March, according to Bruce Abernethy, Chairman of the COCC Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors wants to appoint a student that’s not intimidated, as the role they’re going to be playing is very important, according to Abernethy.

“Is this someone who will keep the student body’s needs in mind?” Abernethy said.

The student must meet certain requirements, including registering in at least six credits each term of the 2013-14 school year and having “good academic standing,” according to COCC Enrollment Services. The board is looking for students who have demonstrated leadership at COCC, such as student government, student club leaders, student ambassadors, resident assistants, Broadside student leadership, and other campus activity involvement.

“As a college, we exist to serve our students,” Moore said. “It’s extremely important when hiring a new president to have student voice involved.”

The student will work inside of the committee to help create a candidate profile, a picture of what skills a desirable college president should have, according to Abernethy.

“Are they good public speakers? Will they be effective legislators?” Abernethy said. “You have to have someone who can wear a lot of different hats.”

The committee also needs to look for someone who is right for the period the college is going through.

“Jim Middleton has been a very, very effective change agent,” Abernethy said. “During his 10 years he’s reacted to growth of more than double in enrollment by adding new campuses and new facilities. …But for this next period, what I think we need is more of a maintainer.”

–Scott Greenstone

The Broadside