College of DuPage president finalist talks about probation
A finalist for the College of DuPage president position says the greatest challenge facing the state's largest community college is to resolve issues raised by an accreditation agency that put the school on probation.
But no matter who gets the top administrative job, Barbara Kavalier said she has "no doubt" that the Glen Ellyn-based school will turn things around.
"We can overcome all those challenges, and you know why? Because this is a great place," Kavalier said Monday night during the first of three public forums with the candidates seeking to become COD's next president.
"We've got a great foundation upon which to build," Kavalier, district president of Navarro College in Texas, said about COD. "There's nothing that can't be accomplished."
Kavalier, 58, of Corsicana, Texas, is one of three finalists recommended by a 14-member search committee to replace Robert Breuder, who was fired in October amid state and federal investigations into the school's spending and administrative practices.
The two other candidates being considered by COD trustees are Ann Rondeau, a past president of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and David Sam, president of Elgin Community College.
If she becomes COD's next president, Kavalier said she has the education and experience to help address the Higher Learning Commission's decision to place the college on two years' probation for failing to act with integrity in its financial, academic, personnel and auxiliary functions.
COD continues to be accredited and student credits are unaffected, but the probation means the school must address the commission's concerns. If it doesn't, the commission will withdraw accreditation.
On Monday, Kavalier talked about what she did to help San Jose City College get off probation during her time as president of the California school from 2010 and 2013.
She said the school succeeded by improving the culture on campus, establishing milestones and having the college community work together.
Kavalier says that approach could work at COD, even though there's a 4-3 split on the COD board. In fact, she was aware that two trustees - Dianne McGuire and Joseph Wozniak - have said they won't vote for any of the finalists.
"I think that shows that we're going to have to all work together to put new practices and systems in place that will unite people and build collaboration," said Kavalier, adding that the next president will need to work closely with the trustees to get COD off probation.
Before responding to a list of questions during Monday's 90-minute forum, Kavalier said her vision for COD is to make it a top college "for fulfilling the hopes and dreams of students" and for "demonstrating excellence in everything that we do."
"I like to dream big," she said. "Let's reach high. Let's reach for the stars. Let's develop high standards. And we'll get there. We can do it."
Kavalier has been the district president at Navarro College since 2013. In that position, she oversees four campuses that educate roughly 10,000 students from seven counties.
The two remaining public forums are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today and Wednesday in the Student Services Center, Room SSC-2206, 425 Fawell Blvd. Rondeau will appear tonight, while Sam will appear on Wednesday.
Questions can be sent ahead of time by emailing pres-questions@cod.edu or using Twitter (@pres_cod).
<b>Barbara Kavalier</b>Current position: District president of Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, since 2013
Professional background: President, San Jose City College in California; vice president of student services, San Diego Mesa College in California; associate vice president, Tacoma Community College in Washington; dean, director and executive assistant to the president, Dallas County Community College District in Texas
Education: Associate degree from Mountain View College in Texas; bachelor's from Texas Christian University; master's in business from Amberton University; doctorate in community college leadership from the University of Texas.