News Summary
Grand Rapids Community College conducted listening sessions to gather community input on the qualities desired in the next president, following the resignation of Charles Lepper. Led by Academic Search, the sessions encouraged student feedback on essential leadership traits, emphasizing the need for a president engaged with the campus community. The college aims to have a new president by the end of December, with recruitment efforts beginning in mid-September. The involvement of students and staff reflects a commitment to finding a leader aligned with GRCC’s values and goals.
Grand Rapids – Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) hosted listening sessions on August 28 to gather input from their campus community regarding the qualities sought in the new president. This initiative follows the unexpected resignation of Charles Lepper in April, marking the search for GRCC’s 12th president a significant priority for the institution.
The session aimed at students was introduced by Erin Van Egmond, who serves as the Vice President of College Advancement and Executive Director of the GRCC Foundation. Facilitators from Academic Search, a firm engaged to assist in the presidential selection, led the discussions.
Despite the importance of the session, the turnout was low, with fewer than 20 students attending. This gathering enabled students to express their thoughts on essential traits for the college’s next leader, highlighting the need for a president who is present on campus and willing to engage with student government.
Students articulated a strong desire for the new president to demonstrate genuine care for the local community, emphasizing that they want a leader who is invested in the broader context of the college’s environment. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the potential for a president to seek other employment opportunities while serving GRCC, pointing to a need for commitment to the college during their tenure.
The search for a new president was necessitated by Lepper’s abrupt departure, which left the college community seeking stability and direction. In response, the GRCC Board of Trustees selected Academic Search in May, following a comprehensive evaluation of several firms to assist in the recruitment process. The estimated cost for retaining Academic Search is approximately $60,000.
The outlined timeline for appointing the new president is ambitious, targeting a hire by December 2023 and transitioning the new leader into office in early 2024. As of now, Dr. Steven Triezenberg is serving as the interim president after Lepper was placed on administrative leave earlier this year.
Starting mid-September, Academic Search will initiate their recruitment efforts, promoting the presidential position to attract suitable candidates. The application deadline is set for mid-October, with a plan for a meticulous review of incoming applications throughout November. Detailed on-campus interviews for shortlisted finalists are scheduled for December.
The objective is to have a new president appointed by the end of December 2023, allowing for a smooth transition and continuity of leadership as the college embarks on its next chapter. The involvement of students and staff in the listening sessions is part of an effort to ensure that the new president aligns closely with the values and needs of the GRCC community.
The preparation for the presidential search also reflects the lessons learned from previous searches, including the last one with Gold Hill Associates. With the combined efforts of the GRCC Board of Trustees, Academic Search, and the community, GRCC aims to foster a more engaged and visionary leadership that will steer the institution toward its future goals.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: GRCC Presidential Search Update
- Wikipedia: Presidential Search
- The Collegiate Live: GRCC Selects Presidential Search Firm
- Google Search: GRCC Presidential Search
- WKOW: Madison College Names Presidential Search Finalists
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: WMU Appoints Community College Leader
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
