The Search for a President

The Search for a President Nassau Community College in Garden City Long Island is extending its search for a president. The Board of Trustees invites inquiries, applications and nominations. The next president will take office in January 2016. Created in 1959 as part of the State University of New York (SUNY), Nassau first held classes in a wing of the old Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola, New York. When it opened in 1960, just 632 students took advantage of its affordable, high-quality academic programs. In 1962, Nassau CC expanded to 135 acres at the former Mitchel Air Force Base and enrollment soared. Nassau CC is the largest single-campus community college in the state of New York. With a campus spanning 225 acres and including 50 buildings, the College serves more than 23,000 day and evening students and 15,000 continuing and professional students each year. Nassau CC is the top choice for one out of every four college-bound high school graduates in Nassau County. Nearly one million people have attended Nassau throughout its history. Its 120,000 graduates include doctors, attorneys, teachers, and business and political leaders. Nassau Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is authorized by the Board of Regents to award two-year associate degrees in arts (AA), science (AS), and applied science (AAS). 2

MISSION Nassau Community College is a constituent member of the State University of New York system, and offers a comprehensive, full-opportunity post-secondary education. All who can benefit from its resources have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills and to pursue the goal of lifelong learning. The College is dedicated to high-quality, low-cost education and career preparation to meet the needs and interests of the community it serves. It is committed to academic excellence and the dignity and worth of the individual. To this end, Nassau Community College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificate and continuing education programs. Its curricula span the liberal arts and sciences, as well as pre-professional and professional areas, for the benefit of a diverse population. The College places a high priority on small classes, taught by qualified, experienced faculty, to provide an optimal educational environment. ABOUT NASSAU CC Created in 1959 as part of the State University of New York (SUNY), Nassau first held classes in a wing of the old Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola, New York. When it opened in 1960, just 632 students took advantage of its affordable, high-quality academic programs. In 1962, Nassau CC expanded to 135 acres at the former Mitchel Air Force Base and enrollment soared. Nassau CC is the largest single-campus community college in the state of New York. With a campus spanning 225 acres and including 50 buildings, the College serves more than 23,000 day and evening students and 15,000 continuing and professional students each year. Nassau CC is the top choice for one out of every four college-bound high school graduates in Nassau County. Nearly one million people have attended Nassau throughout its history. Its 120,000 graduates include doctors, attorneys, teachers, and business and political leaders. Nassau Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is authorized by the Board of Regents to award two-year associate degrees in arts (AA), science (AS), and applied science (AAS). 3

THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK & INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 463,000 students in more than 7,500 degree programs on 64 campuses with more than 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about SUNY, please visit its website: www.suny.edu/about/. The ultimate authority for College operation is vested in the Board of Trustees, five of whom are appointed by the Nassau County Executive and four by the governor of New York. A tenth member is elected annually by the student body. The Academic Senate of Nassau Community College provides the College community with shared governance in general education goals and policies, as well as other matters of concern to the College community. The Academic Senate has the following powers and responsibilities unless otherwise restricted by law and by the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement: a. To examine, approve and recommend curriculum for examination by the President and the Board of Trustees; b. To recommend requirements for admissions, degrees and graduation; c. To formulate and propose academic College policies including policies on class size, academic advisement, educational TV and academic calendar for the consideration of the President and the Board of Trustees; d. To provide a forum for the consideration of academic matters of interest to the College community; e. To formulate and propose policies in those aspects of student life which relate to the educational process. 4

ACADEMICS Nassau Community College is a comprehensive community college with a liberal arts foundation. It offers three main types of programming: transfer programming that comprises the first two years of a traditional four-year curriculum; technical programming that prepares students for employment at paraprofessional levels, and non-credit programs that strive to meet the needs of the college s service district through workforce development, cultural, and personal enrichment offerings. The college welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds, from 11 th grade post-secondary enrollment students, who are dually enrolled in high school courses while completing college work at NCC, to senior citizens who explore the unlimited potential of pursuing lifelong educational goals. Additionally, NCC offers special programs in Interdisciplinary Studies, Learning Communities, and Teacher Education Transfer. NCC ranks first among the community colleges in New York State for the number of faculty members who receive the SUNY Chancellor s Award for Excellence in Teaching. They hold doctorates at twice the national average for community colleges. NCC is also committed to providing support for its student learners through a comprehensive support service program. The Office of Academic Advisement, located at the Academic Advisement Center offers support services to NCC students. DEPARTMENTS Accounting and Business Administrative Business Technology Africana Studies Allied Health Sciences Art Biology Chemistry Communications Criminal Justice Economics Finance Engineering, Physics & Technology English Foreign Languages Health, Physical Education & Recreation History, Political Science & Geography Hospitality Business Library Legal Studies Marketing, Retailing, Fashion Design & Interior Design Mathematics, Computer Science & Information Technology Mortuary Science Music Nursing Philosophy Physical Sciences Psychology Reading Basic Education Sociology Student Personnel Success Theatre & Dance 5

Nassau Community College Presidential Search Profile ACCREDITATION LOCATION Nassau Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is authorized by the Board of Regents to award two-year associate degrees in arts (AA), science (AS), and applied science (AAS). NCC programs have received accreditations from the following bodies: Conveniently located on 255 wooded acres of Garden City, Long Island, Nassau Community College is only 30 miles from Manhattan. Nassau County offers charming suburban living, with exceptional educational opportunities, world-class medical centers, and internationally recognized centers for the fine and performing arts. Residents of Nassau County have an unparalleled opportunity to take advantage of the accouterments and attractions of the New York metropolitan area, as well as beautiful beaches of Montauk on the eastern shore of Long Island. American Bar Association American Board of Funeral Service Education American Health Information Management Association Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care National Association for Schools of Music National League for Nursing Review Board for Associate Degree in Nursing Programs Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC-ABET) 6

Nassau Community College Presidential Search Profile

Leadership Agenda for the President of Nassau Community College Providing Strong, Responsive, Transparent, and Collaborative Leadership Nassau Community College is home to more than 23,000 students. The institution employs more than 600 full-time faculty, an equal number of adjunct faculty, and numerous administrative workers and staff support, each of which is represented by its own union. Additionally, NCC is both a member of the SUNY system, and seated within Nassau County. While these constituents are united in their commitment to NCC, recent financial pressures have strained their working relationships. The incoming president can lead NCC into the next stage of its development by leading campus constituents in an inclusive and transparent way that recognizes and values the contributions of all stakeholders. Boosting Morale and Enhancing the Nassau CC Sense of Community With many deeply committed students, faculty and staff, Nassau Community College inspires a passionate sense of community, which is evidenced by the long tenure of many of its constituents. Nevertheless, the budget austerity that has been imposed throughout the SUNY colleges and universities has had an impact on morale. The next president must promote trust and nurture a spirit of mutual respect through open and effective communication. Shaping a discourse that leads to principled agreement and consensus around competing issues will help to build an even stronger sense of community at NCC. For example, the president should quickly grasp a culture that practices high standards and rigor, values high quality teaching in the arts and sciences, wrestles with meeting enrollment and retention goals, and values shared governance in concert with strong and decisive leadership. Through careful listening and an inclusive dialogue, the opportunity exists to encourage a sense of shared mission and vision among and between all constituencies, which is vital to fulfilling NCC s potential. Fiscal Stability Nassau Community College s next president will need the fiscal acumen to enable strong financial management across all areas of the College s programs. As aspirations are weighed against resources, the president will be asked to tie together strategic planning and budget planning, oversee reliable operating budgets, build strategic academic revenue models, integrate financial matrices with long-range plans, identify new and existing resources for program and infrastructure investment, and maintain strong internal controls. This calls for qualities of integrity, care for detail, and transparency to the greatest extent possible. Workforce Composition Nassau Community College benefits from a deeply committed faculty and staff. In the coming year, however, over half of the full-time faculty will become eligible for incentive-based retirement. Workforce replacement will be a significant strategic initiative in the next president s administration. Additionally, the next president will need to be attentive to workforce diversity that reflects the increasing diversity of the student body. 8

QUALIFICATIONS The Search Committee seeks an energetic, student-centered leader who inspires, supports, and motivates students, faculty and staff. It is expected that the next president of Nassau Community College will possess an advanced degree, with a preference for an earned doctorate. Additionally, he or she will possess significant academic administrative experience, and a demonstrated understanding of national trends in community college leadership. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES An understanding of the SUNY system, or higher education systems in general. A demonstrated record of building collaborations and partnerships across campus. A demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collegial decision making. A zeal for communicating and engaging with students, faculty, alumni and the community. A demonstrated commitment to valuing and respecting diversity. Possession of strong administrative skills in budgeting, personnel management, strategic planning and fundraising. The ability to cultivate connections with diverse external communities and constituencies. Great personal integrity and strong character. Outstanding communication and listening skills. APPLICATION PROCESS In deference to the sensitivity of the positions presently held by many of those who will be nominated and considered, the search will be conducted in strict confidence until finalists are brought to campus. The search is being assisted by Academic Search, Inc. Candidates for the position should submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how their experiences match the characteristics listed above; a current curriculum vita; and names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least five references. Screening will continue until a president is chosen, but only applications received by September 1, 2015 can be assured full consideration. The position is available January 1, 2016. All materials should be submitted to the following contact: NassauPresident@academic-search.com. Inquiries can be made with Senior Consultant Tom Fitch (rtf@academic-search.com) or Consultant Eric Richtmyer (eric.richtmyer@academic-search. com), or by telephone at 202-263-7485. Nassau Community College, a member of the State University of New York system of Colleges and Universities, is a diverse and multi-cultural campus. 9