Presidential Search

Bucks County Community College is launching a national search for the College's sixth president. The College is seeking an experienced college president with demonstrated leadership skills and accomplishments, and an advanced strategic understanding of today’s higher education challenges.
The Board of Trustees engaged RH Perry, a national search firm specializing in higher education, to conduct the presidential search.



Presidential Search Finalists

Evon Washington Walters, Ed.D

Evon Washington Walters, Ed.D

Open Forum
Monday, February 26


Read Bio

Patrick M. Jones, Ph.D.

Patrick M. Jones, Ph.D.

Open Forum
Monday, March 4


Read Bio

John C. Boyd, Ph.D.

John C. Boyd, Ph.D.

Open Forum
Thursday, March 7


Read Bio



Open Forums

Please note the dates above for the open forums which provide opportunities for input from College constituencies. The open forums will be conducted in person but also available virtually via Zoom during the candidates’ campus visits. View the full schedule.

 

After attending an open forum, please complete the Presidential Search Campus Feedback form for each candidate.

 



Presidential Search Committee

Trustee representatives

  • Thomas J. Jennings, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
  • Blake Eisenhart
  • Linda Mannherz
  • Ronni Fuchs

Faculty and staff representatives

  • Kelly Kelleway, Ph.D., Provost
  • Professor John Sheridan, President of the Faculty Federation
  • Tracy Timby, M.S., J.D., Vice President, Workforce and Strategic Partnerships



Presidential Candidate Interview Schedule

Interview Days – February 26, March 4, and March 7, 2024

Schedule is subject to change.

Time Event Location
8 a.m. Foundation Board (coffee/tea) (45 min.) Tyler Hall 128
8:45 a.m. Break
9 a.m. Employee group leaders – 2 from each area: Faculty Federation, Administration, Classified, Safety & Security, Physical Plant – total of 10 (30 min.) Tyler Hall 128
9:30 a.m. Break
10 a.m. Open Forum – Staff (60 min.) Zlock Performing Arts Center or Zoom
11 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. Open Forum – Students (30 min.) Zlock Performing Arts Center or Zoom
11:45 a.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. Open Forum – Faculty (60 min.) Zlock Performing Arts Center or Zoom
1:30 p.m. Break
2 p.m. President's Cabinet (60 min.) Tyler Hall 128
3 p.m. Tour of Newtown Campus (30 min.)
3:30 p.m. Break
4 p.m. Board of Trustees (120 min.) Tyler Hall 128
6 p.m. Dinner with Board of Trustees



Presidential Search Updates & Announcements

February

February 14, 2024

Please save the following dates for the Presidential Candidate visits to the College. Open forums will be scheduled on these dates for College constituencies, and there will be opportunities for input from all. Additional details and the schedules will be posted soon.

Monday, February 26
Monday, March 4
Thursday, March 7






February 13, 2024

During the Board of Trustees meeting on February 8, Chair Jennings provided an update that the Presidential Search Committee planned to interview additional candidates. The Committee will also schedule open forums for the finalist candidates to meet in person with faculty and staff during the weeks of February 26 and March 4, providing ample opportunity for input from the College’s constituencies. A Zoom option will be provided. The Board of Trustees will also have the opportunity to interview the candidates during their visits. Once feedback from the open forums, interviews and elsewhere has been taken into consideration, the Board plans to make their selection.

January

The search firm, RH Perry, has received and reviewed 75 applications for the position as of the deadline (January 12, 2024). From that universe, eight applications, based on the profile prepared by the search committee in November 2023 were identified by the search firm as well suited for further consideration. The search committee, which includes four members of the Board of Trustees; the Provost; the Vice President for Workforce and Strategic Partnerships; and the Faculty Federation President, has done an evaluation of these applications. The committee has now identified three applications for follow up interviews. The committee anticipates having finalists for meeting with College constituencies to receive their input and feedback by the middle of February and, hopefully, a selection by the Board soon thereafter. Thank you.

November 2023

November 27, 2023

The Bucks County Community College Presidential Search Committee has taken a significant step forward in the pursuit of a new leader. Over the past few weeks, the Committee, following a thorough process, has prepared the presidential profile, which will be used in recruitment. The profile outlines the professional experience and personal qualities which are essential for the next president of the College.

Thomas J. Jennings, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, stated the Committee has distilled a comprehensive set of criteria that will guide the search for a leader capable of guiding the College through the challenging years ahead. Among the key criteria are:

  • Strong financial management skills and experience navigating the fiscal challenges facing higher education institutions
  • A proven track record of strategic planning and the ability to articulate and implement a compelling vision for the future of the College
  • An understanding of the importance of equity in all aspects of college and student life
  • Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and innovative teaching
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and collaborate with diverse constituencies both on and off campus

The approval of the presidential profile marks a critical milestone in the search process, signaling the Committee's readiness to actively seek candidates who embody these qualities. The search will be conducted with transparency and inclusivity, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and considered during the selection process.

The profile can be accessed from RH Perry & Associates.






November 6, 2023

The Board of Trustees welcomes Ms. Tracy Timby, Vice President, Workforce & Strategic Partnerships, to the Presidential Search Committee, and thanks Ms. Christina Kahmar for her work thus far and wishes her well as she leaves the College to pursue new endeavors.

October 2023

October 20, 2023

With a commitment to excellence and a dedication to serving the diverse needs of our students, the Board of Trustees recognizes the paramount importance of selecting the next leader who can steer Bucks County Community College through the complexities of today's educational environment. The new president will be instrumental in advancing the College's mission and vision, maintaining our unwavering commitment to academic quality, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and innovation. This search for a new president comes at a pivotal moment for our college and the broader community, as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the higher education landscape.

"We understand that finding the right individual to lead our institution in today's challenging environment is of utmost importance," said Thomas J. Jennings, Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Our goal is to conduct a thorough and inclusive retained search, which will include opportunities for input and feedback from the College community”.

The Board of Trustees announces the retention of RH Perry & Associates to lead the presidential search. RH Perry is a nationally recognized college executive recruiting firm, with deep experience and skills.

The Board of Trustees remains committed to delivering the highest-quality education and fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all. We are confident that the next president will continue to advance our mission and build upon our proud history of excellence.






October 13, 2023

The Board of Trustees of Bucks County Community College has announced the formation of a committee to conduct the search for the sixth president of the College. The Search Committee will report regularly to the Board’s Executive Committee to assure compliance with the Board’s by-laws and policies as well as provide another high level of review of the Committee’s work in advance of presentation of status reports to the full Board and the public at regularly scheduled meetings.

Committee appointments include:

Members of the College’s Board of Trustees including Board Chair, Tom Jennings; Blake Eisenhart; Ronni Fuchs; and Linda Mannherz. Members of the College’s major constituencies, including Provost, Dr. Kelly Kelleway; President of the Faculty Federation, Professor John Sheridan; and Executive Director, Foundation, Christina Kahmar, CFRE.

The Board of Trustees understand and appreciate the need to conduct this search in a very focused and expedited way. Please check this page regularly, as updates to the search process will be continually communicated. For more information, please contact bucks@bucks.edu.






October 12, 2023

The Board of Trustees of Bucks County Community College wish Dr. Felicia Ganther well as she begins to write the next chapter of her professional life. The Board will move expeditiously with a retained search for the next president.