Edythe Abdullah, finalist for Oakton president job, withdraws from consideration
One of three finalists for president of Oakton Community College has withdrawn from consideration, officials said Monday.
Edythe Abdullah, currently the special advisor to the president at University of North Florida in Jacksonville, told the Daily Herald in an email that the reason she withdrew is personal.
"Oakton is a great community college and I wish the college all the best in its search for a new president," Abdullah wrote. "It is truly a gem in the crown of the Illinois Community Colleges."
That leaves two finalists for the job: Joianne L. Smith, currently Oakton's vice president for student affairs, and Kristine M. Young, vice president for academic services and chief academic officer at Parkland College in Champaign. Both are expected to meet with the board of trustees, administrators, faculty, students, staff and the public later this month. A final hiring decision by the board could come as soon as April or May.
President Margaret Lee is retiring after 30 years at Oakton - the last 20 of which was as president.