Mesalands launches president search website

Mesalands Community College has begun taking applications and launched a website to keep the community informed as they search for a new president.

The website is another tool to help in the college's efforts to hire a new president, said J. Bronson Moore, Mesalands board chairman.

The website also includes a presidential profile, which details the duties of the position and information about the college, said Kimberly Hanna, director public information.

Hanna said the website is an outlet for candidates to find the information to begin the application process,

Hanna said while an application cannot be submitted on the website, the candidate is given the steps they must follow for a successful application. She said a digital application is required as well as the mailing of a hard copy to Connie Chaves, executive assistant to the president.

Hanna said the website also has information for residents who would like to make a nomination for the president position at Mesalands. She said like the application, a nomination must also include a digital submission and a hard copy mailed to Jim Streetman, chairman of the initial presidential screening committee.

Those applications and nominations will be reviewed and screened by the committee, which was created in January.

Mesalands has been without a president since Oct. 31, when the board fired Mildred Lovato during a special meeting.

The board did not give a cause for firing Lovato, though they voted unanimously for the termination of her contract.

Moore said during the vacancy of the presidents office, the daily operations of the college have been split between Natalie Gillard, vice president of academic affairs, and Aaron Kennedy, vice president of student affairs. He said the board has confidence in Kennedy and Gillard, though hiring a president who will help the college move forward is crucial.

The deadline for applications is April 19.

The website: www.mesalands.edu/president