MCC interim president to step down

The interim president of McHenry County College announced Tuesday that she will leave the Crystal Lake institution at the end of the month to take a position at a college in Florida.

Kathleen Plinske, 29, wrote in an e-mail to staff and trustees on Tuesday that she accepted the position of Provost of the Osceola Campus at Valencia Community College in Kissimmee, Fla.

"It will be difficult to leave MCC, but I am truly delighted to have the opportunity to join Valencia Community College," Plinske wrote. "Because of their national reputation, many of you may already be familiar with the outstanding work that Valencia does with respect to creating a learner-centered environment focused on student success, and it will be a privilege to provide leadership for their Osceola Campus."

MCC trustee Carol Larson said she was thrilled for Plinske, but sad to see her go.

"I am going to miss her," Larson said. "She is very efficient and ethical. She handled tough situations easily. I wish her luck."

The announcement comes as MCC nears the selection of its next leader. Plinske, the vice president for institutional effectiveness, was a semifinalist in the search for the college's president, but was not one of the three outside finalists the school named last month. Plinske's term as interim president expires June 30.

Plinske, who was the fourth interim president to leave in recent years, replaced Larry W. Tyree, who resigned from the school in September, citing "personal and family matters" in his home state of Florida.

Ron Ally, now executive president of finance and operations for Harper College in Palatine, held the position for about a month after Brian Sager's retirement.

The role of president has been a revolving door of sorts since Walter Packard resigned as president in February 2009.

The committee hopes to seat a president before school starts in the fall.