The Presidential Search: One Perspective
by Ellis Gage Searles

A few years ago, when President Schafer first announced his retirement, I met with David Mathis, who was then Chair of the MVCC Board of Trustees, to discuss the search process that was about to begin. I shared with him the PA's perspective: that it was essential for the search to be perceived positively on campus—for it to have the necessary credibility to ensure that whoever was finally chosen to be MVCC's next president would have the broad support of the College community. To do this, it would be important for the search committee to have independence and autonomy in making its recommendation and for everyone on campus—including, of course, the Professional Association—to have a voice in the process.

Fortunately, Mr. Mathis and the Board of Trustees essentially agreed in concept, although many months would pass before the process would actually begin. Ultimately, a committee was appointed representing several constituencies from across campus and the community beyond.

There was some concern about gaps in the committee's make-up: no professional staff member and no one from athletics, for example. And there were concerns about balance: three Board members appointed, with one acting as chair. As President of the PA, I was one of those invited to serve. While I shared those concerns about the committee structure, I think our work went on very successfully nevertheless.

Over many months, thirteen of us—each with our own perspective—were collectively focused on one thing: making what we all knew was a very, very important choice for our College.

Now that our new president has been selected, I can say that I believe it's been a job well done.

Before the members of the committee sat down together, the Board of Trustees had chosen to engage the services of a consulting firm to assist with MVCC's presidential search. Having had no experience with this, I wasn't sure what to expect, but over time I came to realize that this was a wise decision. The consultants—Michelle Cruz-Williams and Kate Barry of Isaacson, Miller—guided us through every stage of the search, bringing with them their own impressive experience as well as the tremendous resources of their extremely reputable company, which included access to a long-established nationwide network of knowledgeable contacts in higher education along with the ability to recruit from a large pool of highly-qualified college and university prospects, thereby enlarging—and enriching—the field of candidates expressing interest in the position.

With this help, the committee was able to focus on and select from a group of the very best candidates, something that fellow committee member Bill Perrotti told me he saw as especially beneficial. Having served many years ago on MVCC's last presidential search, Bill recalls sorting through piles of applications and resumes without this kind of assistance.

It was after the committee had settled on a “short list”—candidates we wanted to know more about—that the most intensive part of the process began. Over two weekends this winter, we interviewed those candidates whose credentials and backgrounds most interested us, and we read further references and data on each one.

During the interview process, a free-flowing exchange encouraged candidates to respond at length to our questions while also asking questions of their own. As a result, I think everyone learned a great deal. Comparing this to his own earlier experience, Bill Perrotti recalls a more controlled, “pre-packaged” style of interviewing in the past, “less informative” than this quite open approach, which was recommended and fostered by our consultants and proved to be extremely helpful in getting to know the candidates.

After meeting with these several excellent men and women, the committee then discussed strengths and weaknesses deeply and at length before voting unanimously to select finalists for campus visits.

A few weeks later, all three spent time on campus, each meeting with the College community in a variety of settings over two days, to learn more about us even as we were learning about them.

Those days were extremely valuable to the search committee for two major reasons: first, we could see the candidates from a new perspective, watching them interact with the community they sought to lead; and, second, we could get feedback, both formal and informal, from every individual who wanted to participate in the process.

I attended as many of these events as I could and, as PA president, I was proud to work with our brothers and sisters in AMVA and UPSEU to co-host for each of the finalists a late-afternoon reception, which we thought would provide a more casual setting for everyone to get acquainted.

For me, each day represented a valuable learning experience, as I witnessed the range of questions and comments posed to the candidates by my colleagues—and to us by the candidates themselves.

Finally, it was time for us to make a selection. One name would go forward from the committee to the Board of Trustees.

Earlier, when the committee had chosen finalists, there had been complete agreement that all were very strong—experienced leaders whose skills and talents could serve our college well.

Now, we had to decide on the best choice, the one we felt could lead MVCC most effectively in the days ahead. Again, there was thoughtful discussion and careful deliberation—every comment sheet, letter, and e-mail sent from the College and from the community was read and considered by every member of the committee.

Again, the vote was unanimous.

Given the varied perspectives represented on the committee, such accord might seem surprising. After all, each of us was there because we represented different constituencies: labor and management; faculty, administrators, and staff; employees, community members, and Board members. But we understood that we had a common goal—to do what was best for the College we all care so deeply about.

I think we've succeeded. And I believe every one of us is hopeful about the future.

AFT Higher Ed Issues, NYSUT Higher Ed Council: March, 2007 Meetings
by Ellis Gage Searles

On two weekends in March, groups of union leaders from higher ed locals around New York State and the U.S. got together for discussions and presentations on a variety of issues. Because the Professional Association is affiliated with both NYSUT and AFT, PA leaders and members have regular opportunities throughout the year to network with faculty and professional staff from hundreds of other colleges and universities. Often I'm called on to do this on behalf of the Association, and it's always a pleasure. First of all, the solidarity is reinforcing and invigorating. Plus, what I learn there—about legislation, contract provisions, program development, and the experiences of our colleagues—can prove so valuable to our local.

NYSUT Higher Ed Council met March 23-24 in Albany. This was one of the first Council meetings that included leaders from the newly-merged NEA community college locals, so it gave us a chance to get acquainted. Also, we could begin the process of reconciling some of the legislative priorities of the two organizations. On one such topic, I'll be working on a sub-committee made up of both NYSUT and former NEA local presidents to discuss a resolution related to community college trustees. Other agenda items for this meeting included a review of higher ed-sponsored resolutions for the RA, the sharing of information about statewide salaries for various administrative titles, and current news in collective bargaining.

Later last month I traveled to Portland, Oregon for the annual AFT Higher Ed Issues Conference. AFT had invited me to make a presentation on the topic “Building Positive Public Perceptions of the Union and its Members.” In that session I talked about the Professional Association's re-organization some years ago to increase member involvement as well as our ongoing efforts to reach out in a positive way to our “communities”—both here on campus and on the local and state levels. I'm happy to say that there were several people at the session who asked for the PA's web address so they could learn more. Other concurrent sessions included one on union initiatives in teaching and learning for higher ed faculty and another on family-friendly contract provisions. Plenaries focused on AFT's “Culture of Organizing” initiative, attacks on academic freedom, and “by the numbers” accountability. Throughout the conference there were opportunities to learn more about AFT's electronic resources, including the contract database that the PA regularly uses during negotiations.

The next NYSUT Higher Ed Council meeting will be held later in April at the Representative Assembly in Washington, DC.