Mesalands president applications being reviewed

Applications to fill Mesalands Community College's president vacancy are being reviewed by the appointed screening committee.

The applications will be screened by the committee, which will make a list of finalists to be presented to the board, said Kimberly Hanna, director of public relations.

Hanna said the number or name of the applicants could not be released citing limited personnel maters. She said the list of finalists for the position chosen by the committee would be released to the public.

The committee is in the process of reviewing the applications and may have a list of finalists by the end of May or early June, said Jim Streetman, chairman of the presidential screening committee.

Streetman said they have not set a specific time for the selection of the finalist nor the hiring of a potential candidate. He said originally the board wanted to fill the position before the start of the new school year.

Streetman said the original application deadline of April 19 had been moved back to May 1, which has resulted in a change in the projected time schedule.

Mesalands has been without a president since Oct. 31, when the board fired Mildred Lovato during a special meeting.

The board did not give a cause for firing Lovato, though they voted unanimously in terminating of her contract.

The board of trustees decided to turn over the daily operations of the college to Natalie Gillard, vice president of academic affairs, and Aaron Kennedy, vice president of student affairs, said J. Bronson Moore, trustee chair.

Moore said the board has confidence in Kennedy and Gillard, and are pleased with the job they have done managing the college during the vacancy. He said the board's priority remains to ensure the continued success and growth of the college.

Moore said hiring a new president is crucial in order for the college to continue moving forward.