CCD Presidential Search

Committee seeks campus and community input to shape candidate profile.

Today, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) announced the start of a nationwide search for the next president of the Community College of Denver (CCD) and the appointment of members to the advisory search committee. In May, Dr. Everette Freeman announced he will retire at the end of the calendar year.

“The selection of our advisory search committee members was a thoughtful, deliberative process,” said Joe Garcia, chancellor of the Colorado Community College System. “The individuals were selected to represent all aspects of the CCCS and CCD community. Individually and collectively, they bring a broad and inclusive array of education, professional, cultural, and personal experiences to the table.”

Members of the CCD advisory search committee are:

  • Desha Bank: accounts payable accounting technician, CCD
  • Tina Garcia: dean, student development and retention, CCD
  • Christopher Holcom: faculty council chair, CCD
  • Therese Ivancovich: executive director, Denver Education Attainment Network
  • Fiona Lytle: chief communications and legislative liaison, CCCS
  • Betsy Oudenhoven: president, Community College of Aurora
  • Theresa Pena: regional coordinator outreach and engagement, Denver Public Schools
  • Katrina Wert: director, Center for Workforce Initiatives, CCD

Campus and community members are encouraged to engage in the search process by sharing their views and what attributes they want to see in the next president via the following survey link: https://www.research.net/r/CCD_Presidential_Search.

With information gleaned from the above survey and stakeholder conversations, the committee will work to formulate a position profile that will serve as a guiding document during their recruitment and assessment. The committee anticipates the final profile will be completed and the official position to post in July. The community can stay informed and learn more about the search progress by visiting CCD’s presidential search website here: https://www.ccd.edu/org/presidential-search.

Isaacson, Miller, a nationally known and highly respected higher education executive search firm, will provide technical assistance to CCCS and work with the committee to conduct a thorough search process and recruit a deep and diverse pool of candidates. The strongest candidates will be invited to meet with a larger group of campus constituencies in late fall. Throughout the search process, individuals can submit confidential search inquires and candidate nominations directly to the Isaacson, Miller Website at https://www.imsearch.com/search-detail/S7-557.

The search process is expected to take several months with the target to announce the next president in December.

“As the search committee and I begin this work, I am reminded again of what a transformative and successful leader we had in Dr. Everette Freeman,” said Chancellor Garcia. “He leaves very big shoes to fill, and thanks to his leadership, we have a very compelling and attractive opportunity for a new leader to join our community and carry CCD into its next chapter.”

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About the Community College of Denver

Community College of Denver (CCD) is a leading point of entry to higher education for the city and county of Denver. CCD provides cost-effective, high-quality college education, along with access and opportunity for non-traditional students, workforce development, training resources for local organizations, and community partnerships. CCD is a federally funded Hispanic Serving Institution.

About the Colorado Community College System

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, delivering more than 1,000 programs to over 125,000 students annually through 13 colleges and 40 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities. The System Office provides leadership, advocacy and support to the colleges under the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). Join us in changing the way Colorado goes to college.