PASADENA, Texas – Two search committees, comprised of San Jacinto College faculty and staff, have recommended five higher education leaders be considered for the position of President at both the North and Central campuses.

The vacancies at the North and Central campuses are due to the departure of current campus Presidents, Dr. Charles Grant and Dr. Monte Blue, respectively. Both announced last Fall they would take advantage of an early exit program offered by the College. After extensive application review, phone and video conference interviews, the committees have recommended the following five applicants be invited for campus interviews:

• Dr. Allatia Harris, District Director for Academic Curriculum Initiatives for the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD). Dr. Harris has served in a number of positions at DCCCD, including Dean of the Communications Division, Executive Dean of Arts and Sciences, District Director of Faculty Development and Core Curriculum, and Interim Vice President of Instruction. She was a member of the faculty at DCCCD for 16 years, having taught speech communications and developmental writing. Dr. Harris earned a doctorate degree in Educational Administration with a specialization in Community College Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin, and is being considered for the North campus President position.

• Dr. Barbara Burrows, Provost, Marshalltown Community College (Iowa). Prior to being named Provost, Dr. Burrows served as the Associate Dean of Liberal Arts at Florida Community College in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition, she has served as Assistant to the President at Seminole Community College and as the Access and Retention Specialist at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC). She was also a math professor at SFCC for 12 years prior to advancing to administration. Dr. Burrows is a candidate for the North campus vacancy. She earned her doctorate in Educational Administration with a specialization in Community College Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin.

• Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke, District Director for Achieving the Dream, Alamo Community College District (ACCD) (San Antonio). For over 30 years, Dr. Fabianke has served in a number of capacities with ACCD. For 20 years she was a professor in the office systems technology department teaching business communications, business writing, accounting and legal assistance. She served as the Executive Assistant to the Chancellor for four years, and for five years was the Vice President at Northwest Vista College, a college within the ACCD system. Dr. Fabianke is a candidate for the Central campus President position, and holds a doctorate degree in Higher Educational Administration from Baylor University.

• Dr. Thomas D. Klincar, Commander, College for Enlisted Professional Military Education (Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama). Dr. Klincar has extensive expertise in distance education delivery. He has served in the United States Air Force in a variety of positions since 1980. Dr. Klincar taught English at the Air Force Academy, served as Dean of Academics at the NATO school in Germany, and served as President of the Community College of the Air Force. He is being considered for the vacancy on the Central campus, and holds a doctorate degree in Literature and Language Arts from La Salle University in Manila, Philippines.

• Dr. John W. Ganio, Vice Chancellor for Education, St. Louis Community College. Dr. Ganio has previously served as the Dean of Academic Affairs at Herkimer County College; Acting Vice President and Dean of Faculty at Ulster County Community College; and, Assistant Provost for Academic Planning, Policy and Evaluation for the State University of New York (SUNY). Prior to stints in administration, he was a full-time English professor at SUNY Cobleskill, North Area Community College and Herkimer County Community College. Dr. Ganio is a candidate for both positions. He holds a doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy Studies-Higher Education from the University of Albany.

“We had a strong pool of candidates, and both committees worked efficiently and harmoniously,” said Dr. Linda Watkins, committee chair for the North campus search committee. “They carefully reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, and deliberated thoroughly. It was an honor and a privilege for me to work with the North campus committee.”

The search for new presidents began last Fall. The committees held open forums with faculty and staff members from both campuses to help determine what qualities were important in the next campus leader. Dr. Dan Moriarty, search consultant, guided the search process.

“After many hours of reviewing applications and conducting interviews, we are pleased to recommend three candidates for the North campus faculty and staff to meet and interview, and three candidates for the Central campus faculty and staff to meet and interview,” said Ann Tate, committee chair for the Central campus search committee. “All of the candidates are highly qualified, and we are pleased to send them forward for further consideration.”

Each candidate will now visit the campus they are being considered for to meet with members of the campus community; participate in an open forum; have lunch with student leaders; meet with leadership of the faculty, staff and administrative organizations; and meet with leadership teams from their campus. In addition, they will meet with District administration, and the College Chancellor, Dr. Bill Lindemann. Campus visits begin next week and conclude May 8, 2008.

San Jacinto College is a two-year community college serving Southeast Harris County. The College offers over 140 academic and technical programs. For more information about San Jacinto College, please visit http://www.sanjac.edu/.