Erie Community College Selects RH Perry & Associates to Find Inaugural President
March 3, 2021 – Asheville, NC-based RH Perry & Associates has been selected by Erie Community College to lead its search for its inaugural president. President and chief operating officer Paul G. Doeg is leading the assignment along with senior consultants Jesse M. Thompson and Tom DaRin. Erie County’s newest community college also recently named its first interim president, Judith Gay. The board’s chairman, Ron DiNicola, called the appointment, “yet another historic moment for the Erie County Community College. “We are proud to be the first community college in Pennsylvania in 27 years and the most recent community college in the country,” he said.
The board of trustees for the Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania (ECCCPA) wants a dynamic, politically astute, and visionary leader, who possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and a perspective both local and global to serve as its founding president, said the search firm. “The inaugural president will have the enviable and pioneering opportunity to lead an affordable and accessible comprehensive community college that serves the communities of Erie County,” it noted. Confidential nominations and expressions of interest for this opportunity are welcome. Completed applications are due by March 26.
Candidates should have substantial experience in higher education administration, or senior management position in a field outside higher education where such experiences are deemed relevant to the role of a community college president. They should also have a demonstrated understanding of a proper balance between academic transfer, career technical and continuing education programs and developing appropriate course delivery structures. In addition, RH Perry says candidates require a demonstrated commitment to promoting and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Erie Community College, which will become Pennsylvania’s 15th community college, is scheduled to start classes this fall.
Respected Recruiters
Established in 1974, RH Perry has conducted over 1,000 higher education searches. The firm’s higher education practice consists of senior-level executives with a well-balanced mix of college and university presidential experience, senior administrative experience, and executive search expertise. Founded by Robert H. Perry, the firm also has offices in California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
RH Perry & Associates Seeking President for National Catholic Educational Association
The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) has retained RH Perry & Associates to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Managing partner Matthew Kilcoyne and senior consultant Sue Dewine are leading the assignment. The president/CEO reports to the board of directors and is responsible for fulfillment of NCEA’s mission to enhance the vitality and fidelity of Catholic schools.
Mr. Doeg joined RH Perry & Associates in 2001 and is based in Asheville, NC. In 2012, he was promoted to chief operating officer and in 2016 he was named president of the firm. In tandem with managing partner Matt Kilcoyne, Mr. Doeg is responsible for leading and managing the firm’s corps of senior consultants and senior associates. He is also responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for the firm.
Related: RH Perry & Associates Assists College of Mount Saint Vincent
Mr. Thompson, director of community college searches, has led, or participated in, a wide range of presidential and senior administrative higher education searches. His experience spans large and small, urban, suburban, and rural institutions nationwide. Mr. Thompson has provided services to both single and multi-campus institutions. His experience in higher education includes a combination of more than 40 years in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Michigan of senior-level administration, community college trustee service and college teaching experience.
Mr. DaRin joined RH Perry in 2014 as the firm’s practice leader in enrollment management searches. For 25 years, he served Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, the last 13 as vice president for enrollment management. After joining Nazareth in 1987, he was the director of admissions for the college for eight years, then served as the dean of admissions for five years before taking on the vice-president role.
Related: Why Universities Have Stepped Up Efforts to Involve Search Firms
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
