By Jonathan Munson
The last of the candidates has been interviewed, and the hiring committee in charge of finding this college a new dean of arts and sciences expects a decision by the end of the semester.
Prolonged to provide the hiring committee with a larger candidate pool, the search began last semester with a set of four interviews starting in April.
Three more candidates were interviewed beginning Oct. 25.
Bill Richardson is serving as interim dean of arts and sciences, but had planned on returning to his original position as chair of kinesiology and dance at the beginning of this semester.
Les Bleamaster planned to return to the classroom before retiring, but instead is filling in for Richardson as kinesiology chair.
Their plans were pushed back because of the extended search for a new dean, but both expressed their willingness to do it for the college’s sake.
The hiring committee, chaired by Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources, made its recommendation to President Robert Zeigler Tuesday.
“The ball is in his court now,” Johnson said. “I think he’ll be announcing it soon.”
Zeigler said Thursday the committee gave him a ranked list.
Before a new dean can be hired, Zeigler must present his decision at the Dec. 11 meeting of the Alamo Community College District board of trustees.
“Then he will make the offer to whomever he chooses,” Johnson said, adding that of the four candidates interviewed last semester, at least two of them are still interested.
Each of the candidates went through a day long interview process, meeting first with the hiring committee, followed by a tour of the campus; an interview with current deans of this college, lunch with Zeigler and Executive Vice President Kristine Clark, a public forum and an interview with the arts and sciences faculty and chairs.