By Clyde Noel

The Foothill-De Anza Community College Board has the tedious task of selecting a replacement for Chancellor Leo Chavez, who resigned last month. Ten search firms were contacted and three were selected for further interview last Monday. A new chancellor is expected to be in place by July 1, 2003.

From the original list of 10 search firms, on a 3 to 2 vote, the board selected the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) because they were familiar with the firm, which is devoted exclusively to community colleges.

“You’re not looking for a person looking for a job,” said Narcisa Polonio, director of board leadership services for ACCT. “You’re looking for someone that is looking for a challenge”

Polonio told the board selecting a CEO is a study in relationships. It’s a process you need to feel comfortable with. ACCT has conducted more than 288 successful executive leadership searches and a relationship doesn’t have to end with the search.

A broad-based, diverse search committee committed to the district will be appointed to establish the criteria, review applications, rate candidates, interview semifinalists and recommend the finalists to the board of trustees.

“We encourage you to advertise nationally, locally and regionally. The ad should also go into the Web page,” Polonio said. “Work is done through e-mail. Brochures are downloaded and we encourage as many candidates as possible.”

Board member Mary Mason asked if ACCT did any recruitment outside the community colleges into the noneducational sector. Board President Sandy Hay said recruits from noneducational areas do not work out.

Polonio said the firm collects information on all the finalists. “We check on their degrees, whether they have been bankrupt, paid off their student loans and are in debt. Integrity is one of the major components of the search.”

Polonio continued with the comment that you need to bring in someone with a successful background in community colleges who will not take two years to find out what the college is all about.

“You need a leader who can accomplish the goals. Our job is to give you a rich choice,” she said.

Shelli Herman of Gary Kaplan & Associates made a presentation about looking into the passive market outside the community college areas, and finding people who are not looking for a job.

Mason was concerned they didn’t work with community colleges, and board member Paul Fong said they were too corporate.

Jack Bessier of Professional Personnel Leasing Inc. wanted to bring in numerous people to make a selection. “People feel good when they have an opportunity to participate,” he said. The board turned Bessier down because he only works in California and didn’t know who in his firm would lead the search.

ACCT has worked with the district on numerous occasions and is responsible for recruiting and placing both Foothill President Bernadine Chuck Fong and De Anza President Martha Kanter.

The Foothill Sentinel Nov. 4 edition said it was unclear whether either college president is being considered for the permanent position.