The Initial Presidential Screening (IPS) Committee at Mesalands Community College has reviewed seventeen applications for the position of president of Mesalands Community College. There were a total of 28 applications received by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). ACCT then narrowed the number of applicants to seventeen based on the presidential profile voted on by the Board of Trustees in November. Last week the IPS committee interviewed the 17 applicants through video conferences and recommended five semi-finalists to the board. Last night at a special board meeting, the board of trustees announced the five semi-finalists. The five semi-finalists are as follows: Veldon Law from Las Vegas, Nev., Mildred Lovato from Albuquerque, Larry Edwards from Oklahoma City, Okla., Nicholas Akinkuoye from Charleston, W.Va and Jimmy Cargill from Glendive, Mont.

The IPS Committee says they are pleased with the applicants and look forward to the next phases of the process.

According to the presidential search timeline, in March the board of trustees will hold interviews with the semi-finalists on campus. The campus visits may include public forums with members of the college and the local community, a meeting with key local stakeholders, a campus tour, a courtesy meeting with the senior executive leadership of the college, and candidates’ social interaction with the board of trustees.