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College of DuPage could pick next president on Monday

The next president of the College of DuPage - and the sixth in the school's 49-year history - could be named as early as Monday night.

The board of trustees of the state's largest community college has scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. to select one of three finalists for the post.

The finalists, who were all introduced at public forums last week on campus, are Elgin Community College President David Sam; Barbara Kavalier, district president of Navarro College in Texas; and Ann Rondeau, a past president of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

"We look forward to bringing this monthslong process to a successful conclusion," board Chairwoman Deanne Mazzochi said Friday in a statement. "We have been moved by the thoughtful feedback the board has received from all of our stakeholders."

Mazzochi said that feedback, along with public comment on Monday, will help trustees make their decision.

"Monday's meeting offers each member of the board a unique opportunity to discuss this weighty issue with their fellow board members, and ultimately select a new president," she said.

The finalists, recommended by a COD search committee, met with the college community during a series of forums last week and then in closed-door interviews with trustees. They're vying to replace Robert Breuder, who was fired in October.

Glenn Hansen, president of the COD Faculty Association, said faculty members "fully support and appreciate the decisive action being taken by the board of trustees to bring this process to a conclusion."

"This is the most important decision that can be made to move the college forward," Hansen said. "We have had ample opportunity to provide input to the decision and appreciate the quick response by the trustees. We have been in a state of limbo for far too long. The students and community deserve progress."

Joseph Collins, COD's acting interim president, has been overseeing daily operations at the college since last April, when Breuder was put on paid administrative leave amid state and federal investigations into the school's spending and administrative practices.

The college did a nationwide search to fill the president position, and more than 380 people applied for the job.

After a process that took months, its 14-member search committee unanimously recommended Rondeau, Sam and Kavalier.

  Ann Rondeau, a past president of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., is one of three finalists for the College of DuPage president position. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Barbara Kavalier, district president of Navarro College in Texas, is one of three finalists for the College of DuPage president position. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com

Who's who

A look at the three finalists for president at College of DuPage:

David Sam

Current position: Elgin Community College president since February 2007

Professional background: President of North Harris College in Houston, Texas; dean of the community and technical college and professor of social science and business management at the University of Akron, Ohio; vice president for faculty and instruction at Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania; and acting vice president for academic affairs and dean of natural and social sciences at Mott Community College in Michigan. Held professional and teaching positions at College of DuPage and Harold Washington College.

Education: Bachelor's degrees in economics, political science and history from Illinois State University; master's in law and diplomacy and a doctorate in international economic and political relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; MBA in finance and marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University; doctorate from the University of Akron Law School.

Ann Rondeau

Current position: Retired Navy vice admiral

Professional background: President, National Defense University in Washington, D.C.; deputy commander, U.S. Transportation Command in Illinois; Pentagon director/chief of staff, Navy Staff; commander, Naval Personnel Development Command in Virginia; commander, Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes; commanding officer, Naval Support Activity in Tennessee.

Education: Bachelor's from Eisenhower College in New York; master's from Georgetown University; doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University.

Barbara Kavalier

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.

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