In a recent release, the Board of Trustees of Roxbury Community College (RCC) said they have been working diligently over the last six months to address a myriad of issues, the most significant of which is the national search for a new president.
Last fall, the board appointed a presidential search committee charged with developing a diverse pool of candidates, screening eligible applicants, inviting a pool of promising finalists for interviews and submitting finalists to the full board for a decision.
The search began after the abrupt resignation of RCC President Terrence Gomes, who was under fire for a series of questions about his leadership, including alleged underreporting of campus crime, lengthy delays in distributing financial aid and his rejection of a job training program pushed by the business community.
Linda Edmonds Turner, the former president of the Urban College of Boston, was appointed interim president shortly after Gomes’ resignation.
Commenting on the presidential search, Kathy Taylor, chair of the Board of Trustees, said “I can affirm, unequivocally, that we are looking for a transformational leader with a demonstrated record of sustained academic leadership, as well as someone with the proven ability to foster an academic culture which promotes student success. ”
The Search Committee is chaired by Trustee Mark Culliton, president of College Bound Dorchester, and comprises a cross section of highly respected academic, business, and community stakeholders including: Dr. Gary Gottlieb, president and CEO of Partners Health Care; Jackie Jenkins-Scott, president of Wheelock College; Carol Bliss Fur, Roxbury Community College director of alumni; George Greenidge, executive director of National Black College Alliance; Judy Kahalas, Roxbury Community College professor; Elaine James, former librarian; Glynn Lloyd, CEO of City Fresh Foods; Jelani Lynch, director of J.L. Enterprises; Nate Mackinnon, assistant commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education; Roslyn Marshall, senior tax supervisor of MFS Investment Management; Sister Virginia Morrison, executive director, Neighborhood Development Corporation of Grove Hall; Marcus Owens, member of Friends of RCC; Antonio Perez, Roxbury Community College network administrator; Lorraine Fowlkes, member of Friends of RCC; Charlotte Belezos, Roxbury Community College instructor; and Stanley Wong, director of Kowloon Restaurant.
Since their appointment, search committee members have been meeting bi-weekly as well as conducting several community meetings with students, faculty, staff and community members.
Working with the national search firm of Issacson Miller, the committee expects to complete its work of providing the board with three strong finalists for approval by the end of the academic year.
“Roxbury Community College will celebrate its 40th anniversary when classes convene this September, and despite some recent challenges, the board has not lost sight of the important role that this institution plays and continues to play in the lives of its students and the community,” Taylor said.
