Eastgate prez finalist seeks to engage community

YOUNGSTOWN — Anthony Summers, the third finalist to be president of Eastern Gateway Community College, lists community engagement among his priorities.

Summers, a Pittsburgh native, vice president for student development at Richland Community College in Texas, part of the Dallas County Community College District, spoke to about 10 people at his public forum today at the Valley Center in downtown Youngstown.

“I’m a community person,” he said. “Community college has community in it. I believe it’s part of our responsibility to engage in the community, to help the community reach its full potential.”

Community colleges are engaged in an exciting time in history, Summers said.

“We’re helping to build the next generation of employees,” he said.

Building relationships with business and industry as well as with four-year institutions is an important part of that, the candidate said.

Summers is one of four finalists vying to become EGCC’s next president. Laura Meeks, president for 15 years, is retiring in July.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com