CCC pres staying in Clovis

Beverlee McClure is staying at Clovis Community College.

The Austin Community College board of trustees on Monday selected Dallas County Community College Vice Chancellor Roberto Aguero for its top position, for which McClure was also a finalist.

ACC officials announced April 6 they were sending visiting groups to the two candidates’ schools. ACC director of public information Cile Spelce said McClure declined a visit, saying it would be a distraction to CCC. McClure said Tuesday’s she’s not considered herself a candidate for the job in Austin since April 7.

In a voice-mail message left with a reporter on Tuesday, McClure said she told CCC staff via e-mail early this month that she was staying in Clovis.

“I am in a good place and entered this process prior to the board renewing my contract,” she said in that e-mail to staff. “I have seen the process through, which is all I committed to do. My commitment is here and to our ‘Imagine Being More ...’ campaign as we continue to grow and to build.”

Spelce said she did not know McClure removed herself from contention. She said ACC board members felt like Aguero was a better fit for the position.

“He possessed what we needed for the college at this time,” Spelce said. “We wish nothing but the best for Dr. McClure.”

ACC has more than 70,000 students spread among six campuses. CCC’s current enrollment is 4,214.

McClure, who has a doctorate degree in education from the University of Texas in Austin, became a finalist for the ACC position in early March.

“I am pleased that we still have her as president at CCC,” said board member Russell Muffley. “I am always in favor of people advancing and if she had an opportunity to advance I am sorry to see her not receive that opportunity.”

CCC board member Gayla Brumfield said she understood McClure’s reasoning for declining a visit from Austin officials, saying CCC staff may have felt uneasy.

“She really didn’t want them to come to the community,” Brumfield said. “I personally felt like that meant she was taking her name out (of consideration).

“The way I felt about it was that the right decision would be made. I felt secure that Beverlee knew what she was doing. She really does care deeply about the college.”

McClure recently signed a three-year contract with CCC.