JOSÉ ROMERO
editor-in-chief
collegian.editor@tccd.edu

Elva LeBlanc began her time with TCC sitting in chairs on NE Campus as a student, but now she finds herself running the whole thing.

LeBlanc was chosen to serve as acting chancellor while the termination process for Chancellor Eugene Giovannini is underway during a board meeting Feb. 17. In the meeting, board vice president Kenneth Barr expressed his confidence in her, saying she’s “strong, respected in the community.” 

“As the executive vice chancellor and provost, I was already the second in command and already had a lot of the big picture information which you garner as you move up,“ LeBlanc said. “This next step, I am learning a lot. I would be exaggerating if I suggested that I knew everything.” 

During the duration of her appointment, she will receive a monthly $7,500 stipend and will have the authority and responsibilities of chancellor.

While she serves, some of her main priorities are focusing on running the college and ensuring student needs are met. Student retention and recruitment are at the forefront of her current work. 

Once the termination process for Giovannini is over, she’s undecided about applying for the permanent chancellor position and said it’s not something she’s prepared to answer just yet. Giovannini’s contract has due process clauses, allowing him 30 days to request a hearing. 

LeBlanc referred questions about the status of Giovannini’s termination, the status of the investigation by the Locke Lord law firm, LeBlanc’s acting chancellor term length and the lawsuit filed Feb. 7 to associate general counsel Carol Bracken.

“The beauty of being acting chancellor is that I can just focus on the college and let the attorneys manage the other piece,” LeBlanc said. “I can do the fun part, which is working with students, the campus leadership.” 

Bracken said she could not comment because it falls under ongoing personnel matters, pending or threatened litigation.

LeBlanc’s history with TCC is expansive. She used to be an NE student before becoming a faculty member. She was NW Campus president for 11 years, and she would frequently host focus groups where students could go and give feedback. This is something she said she wants to do more of.

“I never dreamed I would come back as faculty,” LeBlanc said. “A few years later, however, the opportunity was there.”

Initially, she was hesitant to get into administration because she enjoyed teaching. But, once she transitioned over to administrative work, she learned to appreciate the work that goes into it.

Board member Bill Greenhill, similar to Barr, expressed his confidence in LeBlanc as a leader.

“Dr. LeBlanc truly gives 100% in everything she attempts,” he wrote in an email. “She seeks input from others and is not afraid of change. In fact, she embraces it! In discussing the role of community colleges with Dr. LeBlanc, she advised me she is passionate about the community college model because it is an American concept rooted in access to education for all.”

Since LeBlanc is still serving as provost, she’s ensured that her team is there to help with her workload. As she continues in the acting chancellor position, she will determine if she needs to add more staff to lighten the load. 

“I will bring support,” LeBlanc said. “I don’t want to appear as if I’m Superwoman.”

Currently, she said all the provost action items requiring attention have been worked through. 

“I’m working long hours, but I’ve got a lot of energy,” she said.