Second COD president finalist meets the public

Ken Trzaska began his career in higher education when he landed a job at the College of DuPage's writing center.

More than two decades later, the 46-year-old returned to COD's Glen Ellyn campus with the opportunity to become the seventh president in the school's history.

"This is really where my roots got started," said Trzaska, president of Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas.

Through the years, Trzaska has served in executive leadership and faculty roles at several colleges and universities, including the College of Lake County. But he says his experiences as an adjunct English professor at COD in the late 1990s and early 2000s helped him understand "the comprehensive value of community college."

"It means a tremendous amount to me to maybe, possibly, be able to bring this full circle back here," said Trzaska, one of two finalists for the COD president job.

During a Wednesday night public forum, Trzaska said he would strive to have the state's largest community college be an institution that leads.

"Let's not think outside the box because everybody else is doing it," he said. "Let's eliminate it."

COD trustees could decide next week whether Trzaska will be hired to replace former President Ann Rondeau, who left COD on Dec. 31 to become president of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

The other contender for COD's top administrative post is Johnny Moore, president of Pierpont Community & Technical College in Fairmont, West Virginia. Moore, who appeared at a public forum Monday, has 29 years of experience in higher education, including 27 at two-year community colleges across the country.

Meanwhile, Brian Caputo, interim president of COD, withdrew his name from consideration on Tuesday, just hours before he was scheduled to answer questions from the public.

Trzaska has been the president of Seward County Community College since 2015. Previously, he served as dean of instruction at Gogebic Community College in Michigan and dean of continuing education and community engagement at St. Louis Community College.

In his current position, Trzaska says he encourages collaboration and an all-team focus.

"No matter what room I'm in," he said, "I'm going to deliver a message that will promote the core values and the vision of this institution."

While responding to a question on Wednesday, Trzaska talked about a successful initiative he helped establish during his time at St. Louis Community College. The "Neighborhood College" program offers classes in the community so adult learners who are unable to reach the campus can still take courses.

"To this day, I'm very proud of that," said Trzaska, adding the program has "done what we are supposed to be doing in providing opportunities to connect our community to our campus."

COD board Chairman Frank Napolitano said trustees are planning to have a special meeting on Monday to evaluate both finalists. If a consensus is reached, the earliest the next president could be named is during the board's regular meeting on May 16.