JWCC to work with Springfield company during search for next president

QUINCY — John Wood Community College is using a Springfield company to assist in its search for its next president.

Chair Diane Ary gave an update Wednesday night during the board of trustees’ monthly meeting about the search to replace Michael Elbe, who is retiring Dec. 31.

JWCC is working with the Pauly Group, Inc., a national search consulting firm that assists in the recruitment and hiring of community college executives. Angela Provart, president of the Pauly Group, and the board will conduct a one-hour forum at 4:30 p.m. May 26 that will be open to the public for community input. The opportunities and challenges facing John Wood and the characteristics needed for the next president will be discussed.

The first presidential search committee meeting will occur in early August. The selected candidate will begin in the position in January 2023.

The board authorized the submission and accepted almost $850,000 in grant funding requests.

“The pandemic inspired funders to look at new ways to solve challenges and approach projects that impact lasting change,” Elbe said in a press release. “JWCC has adapted how it delivers our services, and our students have changed the way they access education. Our longer-term strategic planning positions us to take advantage of grant opportunities to grow and support our programs and services and be even more responsive to community needs. Additionally, leveraging state and federal grants is a strategic and intentional way to offset pushes on tuition and property taxes.”

In other business, the Board:

• Accepted a $13,000 grant from the Illinois Community College Board to help prepare high school graduates for college-level English courses.
• Authorized submission of a $195,000 grant application to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a pulse boiler replacement.
• Authorized submission to the Illinois Community College Board/Illinois Department of Human Services for a $616,693 grant application for an early childhood access consortium for equity (over three years).
• Authorized submission to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for a $21,840 grant application for the Illinois Cooperative Work Study.