CCC selects interim for president seat

CLOVIS — A temporary successor to Clovis Community College President Becky Rowley was selected by the CCC Board of Trustees during Wednesday’s meeting.

Robin Kuykendall, director of extended learning and division chair for occupational technology, was named interim president until CCC finds a full-time replacement for Rowley.

Rowley announced in March she would be leaving the college in June after accepting the president position at Santa Fe Community College.

“I’m excited. Dr. Rowley has done a great job of establishing a foundation and I’m excited about being able to just continue that and make sure that we just continue what we're doing and meeting our mission,” Kuykendall said.

“I’m passionate about Clovis Community College. I’m passionate about our mission, our students and making a difference. So being able to step in and continue that is amazing.”

Board Secretary Raymond Mondragon said Kuykendall was one of five applicants for the interim position.

“Her work in the schools, her work in instructional, her work in the dual credit, (she) works really good with staff ... overall we thought she was a good fit,” Mondragon said.

Kuykendall said she will not be a candidate for the job beyond the interim.

“This is just ... to bridge that gap until a new president is put in place,” she said.

Also during Wednesday’s meeting (all votes 4-0):

n The board approved a $30,000 contract with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) to assist CCC in the search for its next president.

Mondragon and Julie Golder, vice president for search services for ACCT, outlined a timeline for the college’s president search, with semi-finalists to be selected in August, finalists selected in September to participate in an open forum, a new president named by the end of November and that person in place at the college by Jan. 1.

n The board announced it is accepting applications for the District 3 vacancy following the death of Russell Muffley last month.

Potential applicants must live within District 3 and submit a letter of interest with a resume by 5 p.m. May 20.

The board will select the new trustee at its June 5 meeting. The appointed trustee will be up for election during the college’s next board of trustees election in November.

n The board approved the college’s spring 2019 graduation list, which includes 397 graduates.

While the number of graduates is down from the spring 2018 total of 429, Rowley said the number of students participating in graduation this spring is up from past years.

n The board approved a new contract for legal counsel with Harmon, Barnett & Morris, P.C. to begin July 1.

Rowley said the contract is renewable annually and the terms are identical to the college’s previous contract for legal services Grieg & Richards, P.A., which will expire June 30 with attorney Dave Richards set to retire on July 1.

n The board approved the college’s five-year capital projects plan, which includes $1.725 million in security upgrades and $1 million in campuswide roof and parking lot improvements approved as separate action items.

The two projects will be part of the college’s general obligation bond funding presentation this summer.

n The board recognized the college’s 2019 National Institute of Staff and Organization Development Excellence Award winners.

This year’s winners are graphic art adjunct instructor Judy Hurlebusch, science instructor Cory Roberts and cosmetology instructor Mae Szaloy.