Search for the next President of Rose State College

We have begun the search to identify the next President of Rose State College. We are fully committed to conducting an equitable, inclusive, and transparent national search that will attract a strong and diverse pool of candidates from throughout Oklahoma, the region, and the nation.

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has been selected to assist with the Presidential search process. ACCT’s assistance will include providing support with the development of the Presidential Profile, recruiting highly competitive candidates, and working extensively with the College and the Board of Regents. ACCT has conducted over 750 community college searches and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our process. ACCT’s mission is to strengthen community college governance through education and advocacy.

Applications and nominations for the position of President of Rose State College are currently being accepted until the position is filled.

The target date for applications is: February 21, 2025

If you have any questions or suggestions, or would like to make a confidential inquiry, please contact:

• Sandy Caldwell, Ed.D., ACCT Search Consultant, at sjcaldwellok@gmail.com or (307) 389-4193

Presidential Profile

The Board of Regents of Rose State College (RSC) invites nominations and applications for the position of President.  Rose State College seeks a President with a deep commitment to our values of learning, excellence, integrity, service, and welcoming community.

The next President of Rose State College will be invested and will be an energetic, passionate and strong communicator and collaborator, serve as a visible spokesperson for the college throughout the region, works as a partner with the Board of Regents, and will address the following opportunities and challenges:

Opportunities & Challenges:

• Foster the College’s mission, vision, and values among the Board of Regents, faculty, students, and employees to increase shared understanding and commitment to student success.
• Increase enrollment and retention by modernizing processes, promoting and showcasing RSC strengths, and offering innovative programs, academic pathways, and support services to attract students from both inside and outside of RSC’s technical service area.
• Position RSC as a regional/state leader, strengthening alliances with the community, local business and industry, school districts, universities, Tinker Air Force Base, and elected officials to meet educational, cultural, workforce, and economic opportunities. Build, maintain, and grow regional public and private partnerships.
• Continue to build strong relationships, teams, and strategic partnerships throughout the state and region and increase external funding to strengthen and expand academic and technical programs, facilitate transfer articulation with four-year institutions, and improve online learning.
• Further develop strategic partnerships across business and industry, community partners, and economic development entities in order to best serve and nimbly respond to changing needs.
• Foster a sense of unity through cross campus communication and collaboration. Create a foundation of trust, transparency, and belonging, inspiring faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders to work together to address the college’s and community’s challenges and opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to strengthen strategic enrollment management, expand student access, and increase retention and student goal attainment. Identify and serve new student populations through targeted outreach, innovative programs, technology, and partnerships.
• Leverage opportunities to increase enrollment such as the change in eligibility requirements for NCAA intercollegiate athletic programs.
• Work with faculty and staff to create a financially resilient institution and a culture of fiscal responsibility. Address financial challenges and statewide funding system challenges through advocacy and collaboration with the Board of Regents, government partners, foundation, and others.
• Develop strategies for appropriately integrating and leveraging artificial intelligence in academic and student support programs. Further lead the college in identifying and integrating appropriate modern technology across all areas.
• Develop strategies for RSC workforce career pathways to recruit and retain employees including salary, benefits, and professional development and growth.
• Work with the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, and the community to strategically reimagine the college and its place in students’ lives, the workplace, and the economy. Plan for the sunset of the current Strategic Plan and lead the development of the next Strategic Plan in 2026.
• Works with the legislators, OSRHE, Board of Regents, faculty, staff, and community to address aging infrastructure and to implement and execute the long-term campus master plan including capital outlay. 

Ideal Characteristics: 

• A humanistic, approachable, and dedicated leader who works collaboratively with the Board of Regents and inspires faculty, staff, and students to be empowered to take calculated risks for overall institutional and student success.
• A visionary, strategic, and results-oriented leader who recognizes and creates opportunities, and leads college teams to act upon them. A track record of setting measurable goals, assessing progress, and using data to make informed decisions and benefit students. A creative, critical thinker and complex problem solver.
• A leader dedicated to excellence in education with demonstrated success working collaboratively with a governing board, advising regents on key issues, and collaborating with the regents to realize a vision for the college’s future.
• A leader who understands the roles and functions of a comprehensive community college including the diverse student populations such as traditional, returning or older, formerly incarcerated, concurrent/dual enrollment HS, working, and those with challenging lives.
• A leader who values and respects programs that serve a variety of student and workforce needs including skill building, general education/liberal arts, and new programs targeted toward emerging workforce trends such as artificial intelligence/machine learning and bachelor degrees.
• A leader committed to student support services including mental health and wellness, substance abuse awareness, and food/clothing security services for the RSC students as they maneuver through the uncertainty of program completion.
• An astute financial manager with successful budgetary experience managing large, complex, and challenging budgets. Demonstrated success aligning budget allocation with institutional mission and priorities.
• A leader who will provide strong financial oversight and has experience implementing bond projects and overseeing construction projects and facilities.
• A leader who utilizes technology to support student success and completion, increase the effectiveness and efficiency of campus operations, and better meet community needs.
• A leader dedicated to promoting faculty, staff, and student excellence and achievement through increased and consistent campus-wide and community marketing efforts.
• A leader guided by ethics, character, integrity, and honesty with a track record of transparency and service above self while promoting a welcoming community. Demonstrated successful experience fostering a culture where people are valued and empowered to achieve college goals.
• A community-minded leader who understands the roles, dynamics, and contributions of all sectors of the community and works collaboratively on an agenda rooted in the community’s perceptions of its needs and aspirations.
• A skillful leader in crisis management with an ongoing focus on and commitment to campus safety.
• An entrepreneurial leader with a successful track record of fundraising and working with a college foundation.
• An experienced leader in institutional advancement, who connects with the legislature, government, and college district taxpayers as well as business and community members to generate support for student access and student success.
• Has experience cultivating and enhancing diverse and creative educational and training partnerships among external stakeholders including, but not limited to, tribal and local governments, K-12 school districts, charter schools, homeschoolers, other higher education institutions, military, and business communities to meet the changing needs of the region’s business, industry, and employment partners.
• A charismatic and politically astute leader who has demonstrated ability to work effectively with the state legislature and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
• Has experience providing oversight for institutional and programmatic accreditation.
• A visionary leader with proven success in developing and executing a strategic plan. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution is required with an earned doctorate strongly preferred.
• Extensive administrative experience of increasing responsibility in higher education or equivalent experience in academic, regulatory, or government oversight settings. Preference strongly preferred in higher education, especially community colleges, with candidates from Oklahoma or surrounding states.  Candidates should have a working knowledge of the State of Oklahoma.
• Classroom teaching experience strongly preferred.

The Board’s Presidential Search Committee

The Board’s Presidential Search Committee will review the confidential applications, interview semifinalist candidates, and identify the final candidates to be forwarded to the Board of Regents for consideration. The Search Committee is comprised of the following members:

• Brandon Clabes, Board of Regents and Search Committee Chairman
• Laure Vaught Majors, Board of Regents
• Bill Croak, Board of Regents Vice Chairman
• Ann Smith, Professor (will join at the semi-finalist interview stage)
• Ean Watham, Student (will join at the semi-finalist interview stage)
• Staff Member, TBD (will join at the semi-finalist interview stage)

Final Candidates

All final candidates will participate in open forums at Rose State College and the finalists will interview with the Board of Regents. We anticipate the open forums taking place in April 2025 and we will provide the dates, times, and location once they are confirmed. All employees, students, and community members will be invited to attend the open forums and complete feedback forums which will be reviewed as part of the deliberation process.

Recruitment

Our recruitment efforts will involve an open and thorough national search, seeking qualified candidates from all regions of the country. ACCT specializes in one-to-one recruitment of community college leaders. Additionally, to assist with this process, advertisements will be placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other major publications and websites.

Presidential Search Timeline*

*Timeline is subject to change

How to Apply:

This is a confidential search process. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be received no later than February 21, 2025. The position will remain open until filled. 

To apply go to http://www.acctsearches.org and upload your documents. 

Candidates will need to have the following information or materials available to complete the application:

1. A letter of application (not to exceed 5 pages) that succinctly addresses the opportunities and challenges identified in the Position Profile and demonstrates how the candidate’s experience and professional qualifications prepare them to serve as the President of Rose State College.
2. A current resume including an email address and cellular telephone number.
3. A list of eight references: ex. two to three supervisors, two to three direct reports, and two to three faculty and/or staff members from current and former institutions.

Under federal law, Rose State College is required to verify that all new employees are eligible for employment in the United States (See Eligibility to Work). Finalists for this position are subject to an OSBI background check and/or drug test.

Rose State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.  This includes, but is not limited to:  admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational programs, activities, or services.  The person designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including issues of noncompliance, is the Associate Vice President, Human Resources/Affirmative Action Officer, 6420 SE 15th Street, ADM Room 104, Midwest City, OK 73110, (405) 733-7979.  Complaints and grievances will be handled in accordance with the College’s Grievance Procedures (PDF).

Supporting Document: Sec. 1-2. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement (PDF)

About Rose State College: