May 11, 2011

Blinn College Selects Presidential Search Firm, Committee

Blinn College has selected the firm of Gold Hill Associates of Asheville, N.C. to assist in the search for the next Blinn College President. Established solely as a community college presidential search firm in 1990, Gold Hill has successfully completed nearly 100 presidential searches across the country. The firm’s background in Texas includes service by its executives in the chancellorship of the Alamo District, along with 15 presidential searches for the top executive at Lone Star College, Tyler Junior College, Galveston College, Austin Community College and several others.

Gold Hill will assist the college throughout the search process, including recruiting qualified candidates, assisting with the initial screening process of applicants, checking references and honing the list of finalists to be interviewed on campus.

Blinn College Board of Trustees Chairman Atwood Kenjura said Hill’s exclusive work with community colleges and their proven background with Texas community colleges played a key role in the selection.

“Gold Hill fit exactly what we were looking for in a search firm,” said Kenjura. “Their expertise is wholly dedicated to the unique characteristics of community colleges, which is a definite plus. In addition, the firm has a respected track record of learning everything about a college, including its distinctive culture, and then helping to find the individual to fit within that organization and lead it forward.”

Along with hiring a search firm, Kenjura also appointed a Presidential Search Advisory Committee to work with Hill to help develop the profile of characteristics sought in the new president, review the applications, narrow the field to a group of recommended finalists and interview the final candidates. Blinn trustees, faculty, staff and community and business leaders from within the college district comprise the committee members.

Blinn College Presidential Search Advisory Committee:

Douglas R. Borchardt (search committee chair), member, Board of Trustees;
Leon Toubin, vice president, Board of Trustees;
Cathy Boeker, executive administrator, External Affairs (Brenham Campus);
Karen Buck, director, Technical Education Quality Initiatives (Bryan Campus);
Bennie Graves, director, Student Activities (Bryan Campus);
Max Hibbs, full-time faculty (Brenham Campus);
Doug Pierce, division chair, Agriculture and Applied Technology (Brenham Campus);
John Purcell, full-time faculty (Bryan Campus);
Karla Roper, director, Human Resources (Brenham Campus);
Michael Schaefer, division chair of Business, Information Technology, Public Services (Bryan Campus);
Matthew Wehring, director of Small Business Development Center (Brenham Campus);
Tedi Ellison, member, Blinn Foundation Board of Directors (Bryan);
Charles Moser, publisher emeritus, Brenham Banner-Press (Brenham);
David Sommer, treasurer, Blinn Foundation Board of Directors (Brenham);
Mike Wright, general manager, KBTX (Bryan).

“We are fortunate to have so many quality representatives from throughout the college district and the local communities we serve dedicating themselves to this important job search,” Kenjura said. “It’s a truly historic moment in our 128-year history, a time of real optimism and opportunity. We’re excited about beginning the next era for Blinn College.”

In the next few weeks, Blinn’s representative from Gold Hill will spend several days visiting the Blinn campuses to meet with the members of the search committee, trustees, administration, students, faculty and staff to gain their perspectives on the type of leader they believe to be the best fit for Blinn College.

Kenjura anticipates the search process will take about three to four months, leading to a final candidate in August or September 2011. Details concerning the process, including updates from the search committee, will be made available at: www.blinn.edu/blinn_president_search.