The search for a new president at Lake Michigan College has drawn a solid measure of high caliber leaders from other institutions and that has allowed the school’s Board of Trustees to narrow the search to a final four candidates who will visit the campus early next year with hopes of getting the office filled shortly thereafter.
The college has identified the four candidates to be interviewed on site in the bid to succeed retiring president emeritus, Dr. Robert Harrison. The four were chosen from a total of ninety two applicants from all over the country.
A search committee comprised of community leaders, staff, faculty, board members and students reviewed resumes and conducted interviews with the help of professional higher education executive search firm, Pauly Group. The front-runners were selected based on how well they matched a robust list of criteria ranging from leadership experience and fiscal management to demonstrated success collaborating with business, government and K-12 education.
LMC’s new president will join the college during a time of significant growth following a successful millage campaign, the opening of its new Hanson Technology Center and future plans for a new Wine and Culinary Education Center and other capital projects.
Board Chair Mary Jo Tomasini is pleased. She says, “We were impressed with the number of high caliber, experienced leaders who expressed a desire to take on the important role of advancing LMC’s mission.” She adds, “We look forward to learning more about each candidate during their visits.”
LMC will continue to work with Pauly Group to vet the candidates through background checks and assessments. Campus visits with the candidates are scheduled for late January. More about the search can be found online by clicking this link:
The following candidates were approved to move forward by the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees.
- Dr. Trevor A. Kubatzke is Vice President of Student Services at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a board member for the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, and is a member of the Milwaukee Power Squadron. He has also served on the Taylorville Community School District board and the Illinois School Board Association. In addition to his community college experience, Kubatzke worked as a police officer in West Union, Iowa. Kubatzke holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration in Community College Leadership from Walden University, a Master of Science in Education Administration from Missouri State and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
- Dr. Jon Mandrell is Vice President of Academics and Student Services at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois. Mandrell currently serves on the boards of the Dixon Family YMCA, Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, Sauk Valley Leadership Program and is a member of the Twin Cities Rotary. He has served on the Illinois Workforce Investment Board Youth Subcommittee and on the Oregon Chamber of Commerce Board. Prior to his community college career, Mandrell served as a police officer in Oregon, Illinois. Mandrell holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University, and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University.
- Dr. Orinthia T. Montague is Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota. Montague is a member of the Bloomington, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and serves on the National Association of Student Personnel Administrator’s Career Services Committee and women’s mentorship program. She has served as a board member of the St. Louis, Missouri United Way Multicultural Leadership Society, and was a member of the Greater Minneapolis Saint Paul Economic Development Diversity Taskforce, the African American Leadership Society (Charmaine Chapman Society) and Women’s Leadership Society. Montague originally came to the U.S. from the island of Jamaica was the first in her family to earn advanced degrees. Prior to her community college experience, she worked as a high school social worker and a youth group leader for the State of Missouri’s juvenile justice system. Montague holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Lindenwood University and a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication from Truman State University.
- Dr. Rebekah S. Woods is the Provost of Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan. Woods serves on the Board of Governors for the Jackson Preparatory and Early College (JPEC), and on the Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan board. She is on the American Association of Community Colleges’ Commission on Research, Technology and Emerging Trends, and is a peer-reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. She has also mentored young women through the Daughters of Promise and Jackson College Sisters of Strength, and participates in 100+ Women Who Care, and the United Way Women’s Leadership Council. Prior to her community college career, Woods worked as an attorney in the public sector. Woods holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership and a Doctor of Law from Regent University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Albion College.
