PRESIDENT

The City Colleges of Chicago has opened the search for the president of Kennedy-King College. Located in the evolving, burgeoning Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, Kennedy-King is one of seven colleges comprising the City Colleges. The president of Kennedy-King College reports to the Chancellor.

In keeping with its mission, Kennedy-King College is dedicated to providing high quality, accessible education and training opportunities. A dedicated faculty and staff work diligently to respond to changing community needs on behalf of 3,400 students in a diverse, learner-centered, supportive, and stimulating environment. The college takes pride in providing affordable, high quality associate degrees, certificate programs, adult education classes, and special interest courses. These prepare students to transfer to baccalaureate institutions or go directly into the workplace. Noteworthy are the college's Washburne Culinary and Hospitality Institute, the French Pastry School, and Dawson Technical Institute, which houses the construction technology program. Kennedy-King also oversees the City Colleges’ radio station and, beginning in 2018, will be the work site for approximately 190 City Colleges district staff distributed between the main campus and Dawson Technical Institute. Kennedy-King College was one of the top ten finalists for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The college is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

POSITION

The Chancellor and the college’s community seek a president who will act with informed courage. The applicant must present stable, enthusiastic, inspired, and innovative leadership. This new leader will be transformational and must be the proud voice and vision of Kennedy-King as reflected in its name, history, students, and alumni. Additional attributes follow:

  • A students-first focus for a population with diverse backgrounds, needs, and goals;
  • Business sense and success in finance, budget allocation, and creative resource generation;
  • Strong advocate of career/technical education, liberal arts transfer programs, and workforce development;
  • Experience with strategic planning, initiatives, and successful delivery;
  • Success with implementing enrollment management methods and strategies;
  • Respect for and support of professional development of faculty, staff, and a senior team;
  • owledge of urban education matters and the opportunities and challenges present;
  • Collaborative experience with K-12, higher education, and other public/private partnerships;
  • ntrepreneurial and collaborative spirit to enhance the image of and support for the college, working closely with District governance, business, and the neighborhood;  
  • Approachable, transparent manner with strong spoken, written, and listening skills; and
  • Senior level administrative and/or teaching experience at an urban community college.

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

The next Kennedy-King College president will have a special opportunity to lead a unique higher education community. Applicants of unquestionable integrity with an advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education, along with a substantial leadership background, will be preferred. To assure best consideration, nominations and applications should be received by January 5, 2018. The application must include a letter of interest (not more than three pages); a current résumé (or curriculum vitae); and the names of five professional references with each person's position, office or home address, e-mail address, and telephone numbers. All applications will remain confidential pending the selection of finalists. The new president may assume office on or about July 1, 2018.

The search is being assisted by James McCormick and Janice Fitzgerald, Executive Search Consultants, AGB Search, jim.mccormick@agbsearch.com, 651-238-5188, janice.fitzgerald@agbsearch.com, 717-580-0663. Nominations and applications should be sent electronically (MS Word or PDF format) to kennedyking@agbsearch.com. Additional information may be found at www.ccc.edu

The City Colleges of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, order of protection status, disability, genetic information, military status, or status as a member of any other protected class under federal, state, or city law.