SP 3-15a – Selection and Appointment of a College President

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SP 3-15a

APPROVED: December 9, 2020
EFFECTIVE: December 9, 2020
REVISED: October 9, 2024
RENUMBERED: October 9, 2024

REFERENCE(S): Board Policy (BP) 3-15, Employment of College Presidents

APPROVED:

/ Joe Garcia /
Joseph A. Garcia, Chancellor

Application

This procedure applies to the Chancellor’s selection and appointment of College Presidents for the Colorado Community College System (CCCS or System).

Basis

Board Policy 3-15 authorizes the Chancellor to establish procedures regarding the selection and appointment of College Presidents.

Procedure

The Chancellor is committed to selecting and appointing appropriately qualified and experienced leaders for the position of College President at each of the institutions within the System (“Colleges”). The Chancellor recognizes the uniqueness of each College within CCCS and commits to identifying well-suited individuals to serve as College President. After consultation with the Board, the Chancellor shall determine if a vacancy in the presidency will be filled by reassignment of a current College President within the System or through a selection process.

Selection processes may be conducted internally, through the System Human Resources office, or with the assistance of a search firm. Selection processes shall be inclusive, comply with applicable laws and regulations, and include efforts to recruit a diverse pool of candidates in support of moving toward a CCCS workforce that is reflective of our student demographics.

Selection Process:
At the beginning of each search, the Chancellor will appoint a search advisory committee. In selecting the committee members, the Chancellor will consider a variety of factors, including but not limited to the individual’s knowledge of the College and its operations, knowledge of educational issues, business acumen, and community connectivity. Efforts will be made to identify search advisory committee members from faculty and staff employee groups at the College. A member of the System Human Resources office will serve as the Chancellor’s liaison on the committee to provide direction and guidance.

The role of the search advisory committee includes, but is not limited to:

Application Review:
The search advisory committee shall review qualified applicants against the criteria identified in the approved position profile. The search advisory committee, in consultation with the System Human Resources representative, will identify the appropriate tool for evaluating the pool of applicants. The search advisory committee will recommend to the Chancellor a list of qualified semifinalists for the position.

Semifinalists:
The Chancellor will review the recommendations for semifinalists and confirm or modify the list of semifinalist candidates to be interviewed by the search advisory committee. The search advisory committee will arrange for confidential interviews with semifinalist applicants. These interviews may be in person or virtual. Efforts to reduce travel and related expenses should be considered.

Following interviews with semifinalists, the search advisory committee will provide to the Chancellor an unranked list of at least three recommended candidates to be identified as finalists. Recommendations shall include a thorough review of the strengths and gaps of each recommendation compared to the criteria outlined in the approved position profile. Alternates may also be provided, if applicable. If the search advisory committee is unable to recommend at least three candidates as finalists, the System Human Resources representative shall notify the Chancellor, who will provide direction on how to proceed.

Finalists:
The Chancellor will identify a group of finalists to participate in campus interviews, forums, and interviews with the Chancellor. Campus interviews and forums shall involve College constituencies and key stakeholders who regularly interact with the President. Comprehensive background and reference checks will be completed.

Finalists for the position will be publicly announced in accordance with state law. The selection of the individual to fill the position shall not be made for at least fourteen (14) days from the date the finalists’ names were made public.

Appointment:
After disclosure to the Board of the selection, the Chancellor shall negotiate contract terms for the appointment of the selected President to the vacancy. If the Chancellor is unable to identify a candidate qualified to be appointed to the position, the Chancellor, in consultation with the Board, will reconsider how to fill the vacancy and proceed accordingly.

Revising this Procedure

CCCS reserves the right to change any provision or requirement of this procedure at any time and the change shall become effective immediately.