COCC board expected to name top pick for president

The Central Oregon Community College Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on Friday to announce the next steps in the search for a new president of the college, including a likely naming of their top candidate.

The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. in the Board Room of the Boyle Education Center on the COCC Bend Campus.

Earlier this month, three finalists spent two day each in the region, visiting the campuses and communities, and meeting with faculty, staff, students and community members, and taking part in a formal interview with the Board.

The finalists are Dr. Kimberlee Messina, former president of Foothill College in California; Dr. Tod Treat, interim vice president for instruction at Wenatchee Valley College in Washington; and Dr. Laurie Chesley, provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan.

Before formally hiring a president, the Board plans to have a group visit the campus of the proposed new president, and complete contract negotiations. On Friday, the Board is expected to name one of the three as the top candidate, and then proceed with the campus visit and contract negotiations.

For more information, contact Ron Paradis, rparadis@cocc.edu, or 541 383-7599.