By Jamil Oakford/ editor-in-chief
SE student Sabrina Sais has a clear vision for what she hopes the next TCC chancellor will do.
“I’m a student that’s been here a while because I’ve kept on changing my major,” she said. “I hope he can help provide more leeway for students like me.”
Recently, the search firm Gold Hill Associates published the advertisement seeking applications for TCC’s next chief executive.
According to search consultant Stephen Kinslow, this was a profile based on characteristics and the needs expressed by the TCC community.
TCC students weighed in to The Collegian on what they’re hoping the next chancellor can do. And for students like Sais, they hope the chancellor can be understanding of students and their situations.
For Sais, who’s been at TCC a while because she changed her major, she said she faces obstacles that hopefully the next chancellor can appreciate.
“It’s hard to get financial aid when you have so many credits without a degree,” Sais said.
SE student Kassandra Ibarra would like to see a chancellor who will listen to students.
“I would like for him to show generosity to the students and to view our opinions to see what we think about the campuses,” she said.
NE student Luis Alaniz said the next chancellor should continue where the last chancellor left off.
“TCC is a pretty good school as it is,” he said.
But he does find one part of his college experience that he hopes the chancellor could improve.
“They could add more food places,” Alaniz said. “That would be nice.”
NE student Rebecca Koko said that organization should be a huge characteristic in the next chancellor.
“With five campuses and all the things they take part in and help establish, I would hope they would be organized,” she said.
Koko also said the next chancellor should understand that leading also means serving.
“I think they should also have a passion for people,” she said. “It’s not just a title, and you’re not just supposed to lead. You should be a servant too.”
But some students want something simple from the next chancellor.
“I just hope he’s someone who really cares about the students,” SE student Jordan Reid said.
NW student Angel Gale echoed Reid’s statement but also wants a chancellor who keeps student success in mind.
“I would hope that they’re in it for us and not just themselves,” Gale said.
The ad lists 12 characteristics that the board is seeking. Community members, faculty and staff also helped contribute to this candidate profile through the college’s main website.
Kinslow said this ad was published in professional education publications both locally and nationally. One of the publications is The Chronicle of Higher Education, a weekly magazine for news and employment for faculty and administration.
“There was a letter sent to every president at a community college as well,” Kinslow said.
The deadline for TCC chancellor applicants is April 22, and board president Louise Appleman gave insight to the next move at the March 24 board meeting.
“We have a meeting scheduled April 27 with Dr. Kinslow to review applicants,” she said.
