Rich Mountain Community College
Presidential Profile
Rich Mountain Community College is in Mena, Arkansas, and serves Polk, Scott, and Montgomery counties. Mena is in the Ouachita Mountains on the west central border of Arkansas.
RMCC is fully accredited through North Central Association and received full accreditation for a ten year period in 2005 and was noted as a model rural community college. Three Presidents have served the College over its 25 year history. In addition to the Mena campus, RMCC provides instruction at facilities in Polk, Scott, and Montgomery counties.
With a budget of approximately 9 million, RMCC’s focus is on its mission to provide all citizens of the Ouachita Mountain Region with exemplary educational and enrichment opportunities to improve the quality of life and standard of living.
Opportunities and Challenges :
The new president will need to successfully address the following challenges and opportunities by continuing to build upon the College’s strong foundation:
- Implementation of the College master plan, including long-term growth, and the vision for the College’s future;
- Support and expand new centers and campuses;
- Develop and implement recruitment/enrollment and retention strategies for students, with an emphasis on those students coming directly from area high schools;
- Address the College’s technological needs including online instruction and student support;
- Strengthen collaborative partnerships and programs with other institutions of higher education;
- Facilitate stronger bonds and relationships with the community, including area businesses and the health care industry.
Ideal Characteristics:
The successful candidate for the position of President of Rich Mountain Community College will be:
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to academic excellence;
- A strong leader who can bring people of divergent viewpoints together to work toward a common vision;
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and importance of a community college in a rural environment;
- A skilled communicator with the Board, faculty, staff, students, and the community;
- Experienced in technology within higher education, particularly as it relates to online delivery of instruction;
- An ethical leader of integrity and honesty;
- Affable, approachable, engaging and open;
- A team-builder, able to manage conflict effectively;
- Able to build strong community relationships and take a leadership role in the community;
- Experienced in the development and expansion of new campuses ;
- A skilled and direct problem-solver;
- Energetic and passionate in his/her commitment to students;
- Experienced in the acquisition and management of grants.
Preferred Minimum Qualifications :
- The successful candidate will possess a Master’s degree, with an earned doctorate preferred.
- Administrative experience in progressively responsible positions in education.
- Faculty teaching experience in education.
Application Process
Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to ensure full consideration, individuals should submit a complete application prior to April 1, 2008. The Board of Trustees will begin its review of applications shortly after this date. This is a confidential search process.
To apply, please submit these four (4) separate documents:
- A letter of application that succinctly addresses the opportunities and challenges identified and how your experience and professional qualifications prepare you to serve the needs of the College (not to exceed 5 pages).
- A current resume including an email address and cellular telephone number.
- A reference list with the names, home and business telephone numbers, and email addresses of eight references: three supervisors (one board member), two direct reports and three faculty members from current or former institutions.
- Candidate Cover Sheet which is a one-page synopsis of your professional career. You will find the template for this form posted at: www.rmcc.edu or www.acct.org
These four (4) documents will be the only application information presented to the Board.
Electronic copies of the application package must be sent to: searches@acct.org. In addition, please send a paper copy of the application to:
Rich Mountain Community College President Search
c/o Dr. Narcisa Polonio
Vice President for Education, Research and Board Leadership Services
Association of Community College Trustees
1233 20 th St. NW, Suite 301
Washington, D.C. 20036
For additional information, visit the college’s website at www.rmcc.edu or www.acct.org or contact:
Dr. Marie Kane, ACCT Search Consultant, Mariekane2@yahoo.com, (830) 832-6793 (mobile),Dr. Narcisa Polonio, Vice President for Education, Research and Board Leadership Services, npolonio@acct.org, (202) 276-1983 (mobile), or Deborah Plavin, Education and Board Services Program Specialist, dplavin@acct.org, (202) 775-4468 (office).
*** ACCT SEARCH***