PRESIDENT

VERNON COLLEGE

Vernon College, Vernon, Texas, welcomes nominations and applications for the position of President.  Vernon College is a public community college serving twelve counties, population 191,095, in the rolling plains of north central Texas.  In addition to the 100-acre home campus in Vernon, Texas, population 11,660, the institution operates three major learning centers located 50 miles east of Vernon in Wichita Falls, a city of 99,354 population.  These include the Century City Center, the Skills Training Center, and the Sheppard Learning Center at Sheppard Air Force Base.  The institution opened in 1972 with 608 students.  Credit enrollment for the fall of 2008 is approximately 3,000.  Vernon College employs technology extensively, using a broad variety of distance learning courses, including interactive television and Internet.  The college is supported primarily by the State of Texas, local taxes, and tuition and fees.  Vernon College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. 

The President reports to the seven-member elected Board of Trustees.  Requirements:  an earned doctorate from a regionally accredited university; five years upper-level college administrative experience, with community college experience preferred; experience working directly with college students, with college classroom teaching experience preferred.

Qualifications important to the position:  applicants should demonstrate

·         Understanding of and passion for the philosophy and mission of the community college

·         Highest ethical and moral values

·         Demonstrated commitment to quality learning experiences for students

·         Encouragement of accountability in others and, in turn, acceptance of accountability to the governing board, students, faculty, staff, and community

·         Proven record of successful experience in fiscal management and resource development including institutional fundraising

·         Understanding, respect,  and support for a diversity of students and constituents within a multi-campus organization

·         Understanding of alternative deliveries, including distance learning, dual credit, and satellite centers, etc.

·         Demonstrated ability to work effectively with accreditation processes, legislature, and local, state, and federal agencies

·         Ability to develop and expand partnerships with businesses, educational entities, governmental entities, community organizations, and the general public to meet the educational and workforce needs of the college service area

·         Commitment to participatory leadership, with experience in organizational assessment, strategic planning and evaluation, and documentation of institutional effectiveness

·         Record of effectively dealing with and implementing change, while protecting the history, tradition, and existing effective practices of the college

·         Demonstrated understanding and effective use of technology support systems for students, faculty, and staff

Application materials should include the following:  (1) college application for position of president (available at the www.vernoncollege.edu or by mail); (2) a cover letter describing how the requirements and qualifications for the position are met by the applicant; (3) a current resume including major career accomplishments; (4) the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of five employment related references.

Application materials may be submitted electronically to presidentialsearch@vernoncollege.edu or may be mailed to:  Vernon College, Presidential Search, Director, Human Resources, 4400 College Drive, Vernon, TX  76384.

Letters of nomination may be submitted electronically to presidentialnomination@vernoncollege.edu or may be mailed to:  Interim President John B. Hardin, III, Vernon College, 4400 College Drive, Vernon, TX  76384. Inquiries, nominations and applications will be held in confidence by the College unless and until a candidate is selected and accepts being publicly announced as a finalist.

Applications will be accepted until October 15, 2008.  Applications received after this date cannot be assured consideration. 

Vernon College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, gender, religion, national origin, or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment.