Three finalists for COD president to field questions from public

The three finalists to become the next president at College of DuPage will answer questions from the public early next week and have closed-door interviews with the school's board of trustees.

The finalists recommended by a search committee as possible replacements for former President Ann Rondeau are Brian Caputo, interim president of COD; Johnny Moore, president of Pierpont Community & Technical College in Fairmont, West Virginia; and Ken Trzaska, president of Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas.

Public forums with the candidates are scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 6 though 8, in the Student Services Center on COD's Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

Moore will appear Monday, Caputo on Tuesday and Trzaska on Wednesday.

Each session will be moderated by board Chairman Frank Napolitano and COD Faculty Association President Shannon Toler.

"I think we have three uniquely qualified candidates," said Napolitano, who also served as chairman of the 16-member search committee. "They all have different and unique skills they would bring to the college."

Napolitano said the forums will be an opportunity for students, faculty and residents to learn about the finalists. Each session will begin with opening remarks from the candidate, who then will respond to questions.

The search for a president began after Rondeau left COD on Dec. 31 to become the next president of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Caputo - COD's vice president of administrative affairs and treasurer - has been serving as interim president since Jan. 1.

Roughly 40 educators applied for the president's job.

The search committee recommended Moore, Caputo and Trzaska after a process that took months.

"I think any of those three candidates could be a good choice for the college," Napolitano said.

It's up to the elected board of trustees to decide who will become the next president.

Once the interviews are completed, the board is expected to have a special meeting to evaluate the public feedback received during the forums and "decide which candidate is the best for us," he said.

The earliest the next president could be named is during the board's regular meeting on May 16.

Napolitano said whoever is hired is expected to begin work July 1.