Eastern Gateway looks for leader to guide expected huge growth

November 27, 2014 at 6:41p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Eastern Gateway Community College’s enrollment is expected to grow to 10,000 students in five to 10 years, so its next president must be able to manage that growth while improving student retention and completion.

That’s included in the presidential profile approved last week by college trustees after a series of forums at which the public could offer input.

Jack Gilmore, trustees chairman and a search committee member, said 23 people have applied so far.

Though the public forums, both in the Mahoning Valley and Jefferson County, were poorly attended, the 10-member search committee “took as much information from them as we could and built off that” to develop the profile, Gilmore said.

About 4,300 students in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Jefferson counties attend the college which has three principal locations: the main campus in Jefferson County, the Valley Center in downtown Youngstown and the Warren Center which opens a new facility in January. Classes are offered at other locations throughout the four counties including career and technical centers.

Laura Meeks, EGCC president for 15 years, will retire in July.

“The president of Eastern Gateway Community College will be an energetic, community-oriented and visible leader” who is committed to building upon the college’s success while improving student retention and completion, managing the growth, fostering existing partnerships and growing new ones and providing “high technology training for new and expanding industries,” the profile says.

The new president also should be a student-focused leader and fundraiser experienced in labor relations and expanding student enrollment who understands financial aid, can advocate on the local, state and national level and who is “an approachable, friendly and likeable leader who will actively engage with students, faculty, staff and administrators, the profile says.

The candidate also should have a successful track record as a senior-level administrator, particularly at a community college. A doctorate is preferred.

The search committee includes representatives from all four counties, trustees, students, administrators, members of the college bargaining units and the general public.