College of DuPage's reputation attracted 2 out-of-state finalists
Both out-of-state finalists for the president's post at College of DuPage say they applied because of the school's strong national reputation, despite its recent controversies and political battles.
"It's a remarkable place," said Ann Rondeau, a past president of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. "The college has an excellent reputation. The faculty is superb."
Rondeau is one three finalists for the job to replace fired President Robert Breuder. The two other candidates are David Sam, president of Elgin Community College, and Barbara Kavalier, district president of Navarro College in Texas.
The controversies, investigations and political infighting that plagued COD for more than a year didn't stop 388 people from applying to become the next president of the Glen Ellyn-based school.
After nearly six months of work by a presidential search committee, Rondeau, Sam and Kavalier emerged as the candidates with the unanimous support of the 14-member panel. They now are being considered by the school's board of trustees.
"All three of the candidates are exceptional," said Trustee Frank Napolitano, who also served on the search committee. "Any one of them could become president and hit the ground running."
He said the caliber of the candidates says a lot about the level of interest in COD.
Kavalier, 58, of Corsicana, Texas, says she wants the COD job because the school has "a long and rich history of excellence in higher education."
"When I worked for the Dallas County Community College District years ago, I was always impressed by many of the best practices that seemed to emerge from the College of DuPage," she said.
"Today, there are still many innovative and inspiring programs and services," Kavalier said. "I think the college has extraordinary faculty and staff who are truly dedicated and committed to the success of the students and to the institution."
Kavalier says she's confident her background and experience have prepared her "to provide leadership needed to move the college to the next level of success."
Rondeau, meanwhile, said "important work" is being done at COD. She said it would be a privilege to be part of it.
"I am deeply committed to education and training and the empowerment of lives through learning," said Rondeau, 64, of Vienna, Virginia. "It's a calling for me."
Joseph Collins, COD's acting interim president, has been overseeing daily operations since April, when Breuder was placed on paid administrative leave amid state and federal investigations into COD's spending and administrative practices. Breuder was fired in October after the school did an internal investigation.
"This is a great opportunity for somebody to come in and turn things around," Napolitano said. "We don't need to overhaul everything we're doing. But we need somebody who can kind of right the ship on a few key issues."