South Central College seeks a president who is an engaged and innovative educational leader with deep experience and passion for academic transfer and vocational-technical programs that cultivate student success. The president will lead with vision as the college fulfills its mission of driving economic and civic well-being for the Faribault and Greater Mankato communities through accessible and relevant program offerings, holistic student support services, partnerships with business and industry, and events that invite the community into the college’s physical spaces.
The president will work with talented and committed faculty, staff, and administrators at both campus locations, sharing the team’s focus on operational excellence for long-term institutional sustainability and growth, continuous improvement informed by assessment and data, and building a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere at both campuses for students and employees. The successful candidate will be creative and knowledgeable about effective practices for increasing student success. They will also embody a commitment to building strong internal and external relationships.
The Faribault campus and the North Mankato campus each hold key roles within their communities. A significant number of staff are shared between the campuses, with administrators working at Faribault one or two days per week. The president will set the tone for both campuses to grow high school dual enrollment and international student programs. College relationships with community and business leaders will be strengthened through the president’s active engagement.
As a community and technical college, South Central College appreciates its essential role in both Faribault and the Greater Mankato area. This role requires an awareness of external developments and the current and future needs of area employers. The president will represent the college through active participation in civic organizations and activities, and will encourage employees to also be active in community events, boards, and initiatives. The president will facilitate partnerships with K-12, higher education, business, and government, and will be available to help build partnerships and raise funds through the SCC Foundation. The college will benefit from the president’s consistent efforts to extend the brand, recognition, and goodwill of South Central College throughout the region.
The college’s Faribault and North Mankato campuses are located in the heart of southern Minnesota with numerous lakes, rivers, and trails. Both communities offer abundant outdoor, recreational, sporting, and cultural activities. In addition, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area is just a 35-minute drive from Faribault and 1½ hours from North Mankato. Add to this a low cost of living compared to many regions of the country and an excellent K-12 public school systems, and you have the perfect place to call home.
SCC is part of the Minnesota State System, which employs more than 14,200 people. At Minnesota State we provide the opportunity for all Minnesotans to create a better future for themselves, for their families, and for their communities. With 26 community and technical colleges and seven state universities on 54 campuses, Minnesota State serves nearly two-thirds of the entire state’s undergraduate student population, and we serve more Black, Indigenous, and students of color than all higher education providers in the state, combined.
We are committed to equitable outcomes for all our students, and in 2019 committed to eliminating educational equity gaps at every Minnesota State college and university by the year 2030. Achieving this goal, called Equity 2030, is a moral imperative, and an economic imperative for our state as our population continues to grow more diverse, and will ensure Minnesota has the workforce it needs for generations to come. We are working toward meeting our Equity 2030 goal through hard work, robust data analysis, targeted programs to improve outcomes, and partnerships with community organizations, employers, and the state legislature.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills necessary to sustain the vision of South Central College. Have experience in program and curriculum development, fundraising, governmental relations, accreditation process, as well as budget and fiscal management. Possess a record of building public/private partnerships between education and business and industry, community leaders, and organizations. An earned doctorate is preferred, but not required.
Application Process
Applications and nominations are now being accepted. South Central College and Minnesota State are being assisted in this search by Academic Search. The Board of Trustees is the appointing authority for this position. The position is covered by the Personnel Plan for Minnesota State Administrators.
Nominations and requests for confidential discussions about this opportunity should be directed to senior consultant Dr. Shirley Robinson Pippins at shirley.pippins@academicsearch.org or consultant Krista Johns at krista.johns@academicsearch.org.
Interested candidates should provide a substantive cover letter, CV, and list of five references by January 20, 2025. Only applications received by that date are assured full consideration.
Submission of the application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. Screening of applications will begin immediately. It is expected that the chancellor will make his recommendation to the Board of Trustees at their April 16, 2025 meeting.
Submit application materials by email to:
Krista Johns, Search Consultant
Academic Search
SCCPresident@academicsearch.org
To learn more about South Central College, please visit www.southcentral.edu
To learn more about Minnesota State, please visit MinnState.edu
