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Former Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann
Ivy Tech Community College’s trustees are scheduled to vote May 18 on a new president and a former state elected official could become the next president of the the statewide community college system.
Former Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann is one of two finalists for the job, Ivy Tech trustee chairwoman Paula Hughes said Tuesday.
Ellspermann, a Republican, resigned as lieutenant governor in March saying she would seek the Ivy Tech job.
Read More Ivy Tech President Tom Snyder To Retire In 2016
Hughes said Ellspermann, like the other finalist, has the qualities sought for the job such as being a visionary strategist.
“It’s a big job and it's crucial to the future, of not just Ivy Tech, but we think in many ways the state of Indiana,” she said. “We are very cognizant of the role Ivy Tech plays in the economic future of our state.”
Thirty-four people were seriously considered for the job, including internal candidates. Of those, nine candidates were interviewed in private meetings.
Three finalists were under consideration until last week, when James King, a vice chancellor for Tennessee's Colleges of Applied Technology was eliminated.
Hughes would not say who the other remaining finalist is.
Ivy Tech’s next president faces many challenges, including a declining enrollment and low-graduation rate.
Only about 6 percent of students are enrolled full-time while many others are nontraditional students juggling family and work responsibilities, the college says.
The college estimates 110,000 students have earned a degree or certificate in the past eight years.
President Tom Snyder announced in September that he will retire in June after nine years leading the college. Snyder's annual salary is $300,000. In 2012 the trustees extended his contract to mid-2017.
Contact WFYI education reporter Eric Weddle at eweddle@wfyi.org or call (317) 614-0470. Follow on Twitter: @ericweddle.
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