Presidential Search

Presidential Profile | College of Eastern Idaho

04/04/24

The Board of Trustees invites nominations and applications for the position of President of College of Eastern Idaho (CEI), located in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The College was originally founded in 1969 as Eastern Idaho Vocational Technical School, and in May 2017, the citizens of Bonneville County voted to create the College of Eastern Idaho. The founding president of CEI, Dr. Rick Aman, is retiring after six successful years. CEI currently enrolls over 21,000 students each year in both academic transfer, workforce training & development, and two bachelor’s programs.

The College is seeking a leader who can continue the tradition of innovation and vision and who possesses an unwavering commitment to student success and works collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, all CEI employees, students, and the community to strategically develop and expand CEI and meet the educational needs of the community.

The President of the College of Eastern Idaho is the Chief Executive Officer of the College and maintains a direct reporting relationship to the five-member, elected Board of Trustees for the College of Eastern Idaho Community College Taxing District.

Overview

The President is responsible for administering and supervising College programs and operations, including budgets, personnel, and facilities. The President champions College of Eastern Idaho with all stakeholders, including the City of Idaho Falls, Idaho elected officials, local and regional businesses, area K-12 districts, higher education institutions throughout Idaho, and the citizens of Idaho. The President represents the College and Trustees to the community and directs the development of quality educational programs within the eastern Idaho Interstate-15 corridor, highlighting energy, innovation, and healthcare industries. This involves providing highly responsive education and training for in-demand careers directly related to employability or transfer to a university.

Representative Duties:

• Assumes full management responsibility for the College, including budgets, personnel, and activities of all College programs, divisions, departments, and services.
• Participates with Trustees in the formulation of College policy for Board consideration; develops administrative regulations and procedures, goals, and objectives for the College consistent with College policy.
• Possess a strong understanding of higher education recruitment, retention, and enrollment management processes, best practices, and trends for skills-based employment in support of the regional workforce.
• Assigns, assesses, and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the assigned College budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures, and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Directs a continuous program of examination and data collection through the "connected campus" to improve College programs to meet the educational needs of the community.
• Oversees the hiring and dismissal of College faculty and staff, assists in developing performance standards, and is responsible for the evaluation of all academic and classified employees of the College.
• Provides and encourages professional development and training for College employees to promote professional growth, improved efficiency, and the quality of operations.
• Delivers leadership for institutional planning, including the development of the College mission, vision, and core theme statement. Utilizes College futuristic strategies, facilities plan, strategic plan, and budget.
• Consults with Trustees and College administrators to analyze long-term facility needs and makes recommendations to Trustees on additions, changes in the College five-year plan, and on maintenance and remodeling of the plant and facilities.
• Provides overall leadership for the College's accreditation process. Ensures the ongoing maintenance and oversight of the accreditation process within the NWCCU region.
• Provides leadership in resource development through active participation in the fundraising efforts of the College and the College foundation, as well as an active role in grants development. Works collegially with other Idaho and regional colleges, universities, and Idaho State Board of Education leaders to develop strategies to enhance resources through state allocations, tuition, and property tax revenues.
• Represents the College to the community and region, promoting positive relationships and providing open communication with all constituency groups. Builds strong partnerships with local schools, businesses, industries, and government. Develops positive public relations for the College and the region at the state and national levels by attending meetings, serving on committees, and engaging in other activities.
• Engages and works with industry throughout eastern Idaho to ensure that College program offerings are relevant and adaptable to meet current and future workforce demands.
• Serves as an advocate for College interests to the Idaho Governor's office, local, state, and federal elected officials.
• Attends and participates in professional conferences, workshops, and local, state, regional, and national activities on behalf of the College.
• Demonstrates commitment to offering degrees, programs, certifications, and skills that are relevant to the current needs of business and industry. Participates on boards or task forces such as the President Leadership Council, Idaho Regional Optical Network, Leadership in Nuclear Energy, Mountain States Leadership, Chamber, Rotary, and regional economic development entities.
• Acts as the primary authority, under emergency situations, to protect the safety and health of students and staff under College procedures. Represents College circumstances to news media if needed.
• Promotes and supports student-centered activities, including advocating for student needs.

Opportunities and Challenges:

• To honor the history and culture of the College and its critical role in the region.
• To strengthen the College as a core and evolving asset to the community to further the social, cultural, and economic development of the eastern Idaho region.
• To understand the needs created by extensive growth by assessing and prioritizing new facilities, technology, processes, and procedures while continuing to innovate workforce and academic programs.
• To advance student success through enrollment, retention, and completion for all students, including the traditionally underserved.
• To strengthen CEI’s success in developing partnerships with local and regional businesses and industries to respond to the needs of the workforce and skilled trades.
• To help lead the College in fundraising and developing strong relationships with donors, alumni, and the community. Continue to create and manage external relations of all kinds, including the Board of Trustees, policymakers, local businesses, and community members that are vital to the success of the College.

Ideal Characteristics and Skill Sets:

• Knowledgeable and passionate about the mission and the unique qualities and characteristics of a community college.
• Serves as a visible ambassador to the College for a large and diverse region.
• An exceptional financial steward with extensive experience managing large and complex budgets.
• A successful track record of enhancing and broadening institution-wide marketing and branding.
• Supports strong and dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators.

• Willingness to make a long-term commitment to the College and community.
• Champions all constituencies with an awareness of socio-economic differences in the community, with specific attention to under-represented students.
• A personable, compassionate, and empathetic leader who listens to students, employees, and the community.
• Engages and understands the importance of involvement in student organizations, including clubs.
• Experience serving under-represented and diverse populations, such as Hispanic communities and Tribal nations, among students, employees, and community partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree required. Doctorate from a regionally accredited college or university is highly preferred.
• Three years of demonstrated, successful, senior-level administrative leadership experience, strongly preferred at a community college.
• Demonstrated cultural competency, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, ethnic backgrounds of community college students and employees.
• Teaching experience preferred; ideally at a community college.

• The successful leader will exemplify characteristics of integrity, responsibility, and compassion and serve college stakeholders to inspire the delivery of strategic goals and better the lives of our students through education.