Three finalists named for EICC chancellor’s position

Three finalist candidates have been named for the chancellor position at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, the college district announced today, Friday, Feb. 28.  On-campus and Zoom interviews with those finalists begin Monday, March 3. The EICC’s chancellor’s position has been open since Sonya J. Williams resigned from the job on Aug. 1, 2023. Liang Chee […]

Three finalist candidates have been named for the chancellor position at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, the college district announced today, Friday, Feb. 28.  On-campus and Zoom interviews with those finalists begin Monday, March 3. The EICC’s chancellor’s position has been open since Sonya J. Williams resigned from the job on Aug. 1, 2023. Liang Chee Wee was named interim chancellor later that year and still holds that position. EICC officials said they hope to announce the new chancellor this spring, perhaps in April. The finalists are:

• Bryan Renfro – president, John Wood Community College, Quincy, Illinois. His career spans multiple institutions and roles, including vice president of Academic Instruction at Paris Junior College in Texas, associate vice provost of Academic and Workforce Affairs at Tyler Junior College in Texas, and dean of Business and Public Services at Hawkeye Community College in Iowa. His experience also included roles in academic and technical training, including in areas of public safety training, institutional effectiveness, and workforce development. Throughout his career, he has continued teaching anthropology and criminal justice courses.  

• 

• Naomi DeWinter  – president, Muscatine Community College and EICC vice chancellor of Student Development, Muscatine. Her career in higher education has spanned a number of leadership roles, including vice president of Student Affairs at North Central Michigan College. She also serves as an adjunct instructor in the Doctorate of Community College Leadership program at Ferris State University in Michigan.

• Jennifer Berne – provost, Oakland Community College, Oakland County, Michigan. Her career has spanned multiple institutions and roles, including vice president of Academic Affairs at Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts, dean of Liberal Arts at Harper College in Illinois, and faculty positions at National Louis University and Oakland Community College, where she also served as English Department chair.  

More information on the candidates was posted on the  EICC website as of Friday morning, Feb. 28. EICC officials said there was a fourth finalist, however, that candidate declined an on-campus interview and is no longer being considered for the position. “The (EICC Board of Trustees) remains confident in the strength of the three finalists, thanks to the diligent work of the search committee in identifying quality candidates. This number is still within the board’s original range of finalists to bring to the campuses, and we look forward to engaging with each of them during the interview process,” the EICC release said. EICC will be seeking community input on the three finalists with a series of forums held both virtually via Zoom and in person at EICC’s three campuses: Clinton Community College (CCC), Muscatine Community College (MCC), and Scott Community College (SCC). Participants will have the opportunity to hear from each finalist, ask questions, and provide feedback. Here is a schedule of those forums:

• Bryan Renfro: Forums on Monday and Tuesday, March 3 and March 4. Zoom will be Monday from noon-1 p.m. Go here for the Zoom meeting. In-person meetings: CCC, Room 139, on March 3, from 2:30–3:30 p.m.; MCC Student Center, on Tuesday, March 4, from 9-10 a.m.; SCC Student Life Center, on Tuesday, March 4, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. 
• Naomi DeWinter: Forums on Monday and Tuesday, March 10 and March 11. Zoom will be from noon to 1 p.m. March 10. Go here for the Zoom meeting.  In-person forum meetings are: CCC, Room 139, Monday, March 10, from 2:30-3:30 p.m.; MCC Student Center, Tuesday, March 11, from 9–10 a.m.; SCC Student Life Center, Tuesday, March 11, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
• Jennifer Berne: Forums will be Wednesday and Thursday, March 12 and March 13. Zoom will be noon-1 p.m. March 12. Go here for the Zoom meeting. In-person forum meetings: CCC Room 139, March 12, from  2:30–3:30 p.m.; MCC Student Center, March 13, from 9–10 a.m.; SCC Student Life Center, March 13, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. 

Following each forum, participants are invited to submit feedback through an online form, which will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees as part of its decision-making process. “Each of these candidates brings a wealth of experience in community college leadership and a strong commitment to student success, workforce development, and institutional growth,” according to information from EICC. The chancellor plays a key role in guiding EICC’s vision, supporting student success, and ensuring the institution continues to meet the needs of its communities.  EICC has been under the leadership of Interim Chancellor Liang Chee Wee for the past two years, and this selection process marks an important step in securing permanent leadership for the college. “We are grateful to Dr. Liang Chee Wee for his dedicated leadership and service during this interim period,” according to an EICC news release.