CCCC Selection Process Should Become Model

Getting Public Involvement Good Lesson For Other Leadership Positions

Central Caro­lina Community College has narrowed the search for its next president to six finalists and is now beginning a process of getting stakeholder input. Getting this kind of public input ought to be the model for the County Manager, City Manager, and School Superintendent as well. It is a much better model than keeping the matter secret, as was done with these selections last time.

CCCC has provided the media the names, current positions, and background information on the finalists. Visits to the community have been arranged where faculty, students, and the public can meet the candidates and give their input into the process. Each finalist will visit the college between June 3 and June 11 to be interviewed by the Board of Trustees; tour the college’s facilities in Lee, Harnett and Chatham counties; and take part in a meet-and-greet event for college personnel, stu­dents, and the community. All of the meet-and-greet sessions will take place between 3 and 4 p.m. in the Dennis A.Wicker Civic Center, located across from the college.

I have seen this process applied to county managers and school superintendents in other areas and it allows the individuals in this important leadership roles to begin work as if they were already part of the community. There is no information here that any of these other positions might opening up soon, but perhaps we can remember this process for when the time comes.