MCC board extends college president's contract

The McHenry County College Board has approved a two-year contract extension for President Clinton Gabbard that runs through Dec. 31, 2022.

Gabbard became the college's eighth president on Jan. 11, 2016. He yearly salary is $248,885, which will increase by 3 percent next year.

During his tenure, the college has opened the Liebman Science Center, seen strong student enrollment growth and a variety of student-focused initiatives, such as a faculty-led textbook savings effort, formalized apprenticeship offerings, and the potential launch of a new entrepreneurial agriculture program.

"He has exceeded the high expectations we, as a board, had for him upon hiring him in early 2016, and we are confident that his leadership will continue to be vital to McHenry County College's extraordinary success moving forward," MCC board Chairman Mike Smith said. "His work around the college's outreach to the community continues to strengthen partnerships that are critical to MCC and the county's success."

Before joining MCC, Gabbard served in administrative and leadership roles at Lake Michigan College, Walla Walla Community College, Purdue University and University of Notre Dame.